On completion of this module students should be able to:
Draw the chemical structures of common polymers (synthetic and natural).
Describe the main synthetic approaches to produce polymers.
Explain how the macromolecular structure affects the properties and applications of polymers.
Define how the macromolecular structure of common polymers contributes to environmental pollution (plastic crisis).
Explain the basic principles of electrochemistry.
Discuss how energy can be stored in batteries.
Explain how electrolytic and fuel cells work.
Explain how natural photosynthesis works.
Recognize how the principles of natural photosynthesis can be applied in artificial photosynthetic systems to tackle persistent environmental problems, and produce ‘green’ fuels.
Predict the geometries and polarities of molecules and illustrate their importance in determining molecular function and intermolecular interactions.
Discuss the beneficial impact of medicinal chemistry on human health.
Discuss the importance of chemistry in understanding the natural environment.
Carry out some basic experimental procedures safely and efficiently.

History of synthetic polymers, crucial discoveries which resulted in Nobel prizes in Chemistry, and shaped the materials world in the way we know it today.
Polymers; definitions, advantages, and main functional groups.
Methods for polymer synthesis (condensation and addition polymerization).
Chemical structures of common polymers and their main applications.
Effect of the chemical structure in the properties of polymers.
Basic polymer principles; molecular weight, degree of polymerization, repeating unit.
Effect of molecular weight, chemical structure/composition and architecture in the properties of macromolecules.
Intermolecular interactions in polymers and their effects in polymer properties.
Thermal transitions in polymers and application in 3D printing.
Natural Polymers; proteins and polypeptides - synthetic approaches, effect of chemistry on the biological activity, protein denaturation, nucleic acids and polysaccharides.
Properties of common synthetic polymers which contribute to environmental issues and plastic crisis.
Strategies to overcome these problems; recycling and synthesis of bioplastics/biodegradable polymers.
Energy storage and electrochemical energy storage devices.
Basics principles of electrochemistry: electric charge, potential difference, current, resistance, the role of the electrolyte and conductivity.
Redox reactions and the Galvanic cell: cell diagram, standard hydrogen electrode, standard reduction potential, cell potential, thermodynamics of electrochemical cells and Nernst equation.
Batteries: Primary cells, alkaline and researchable batteries.
Fuel cells and electrolytic cells for H2 production.
Natural Photosynthesis and application of the main principles in artificial photosynthetic systems for ‘green’ H2 production.
Waste Utilization (e. g., plastic and biomass) for production of ‘green’ fuels and chemicals.
Structures and Shapes of Molecules (VSEPR); Chirality.
Drawing organic structures, identification of functional groups.
Structure and reactivity of aromatic compounds; basic reactions of carboxylic acids and derivatives; aromaticity, strain and resonance.
Simple calculations using the mole concept (%yield, concentration etc.).
Reaction Energy profiles. Effects of temperature, concentration and catalysts on reaction rates.
Amino acids and introduction to proteins.
Electronegativity and polarity. Bronsted Acids/Bases; equilibria, equilibrium constants; pKa.
History, development and mode of action of aspirin, penicillin and cimetidine.
Introduction to drug design: structure-activity relationships, lead compounds.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the mode of delivery, assessment and content of the module may be subject to change.

Grade H5 or above in Leaving Certificate Higher Level Chemistry, or O1 in Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Chemistry, or equivalent.
Students who have already passed CHEM10050 may not register to this module in 2020/21 academic year.

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

Feedback will be given on Lab reports by return of the report with annotations and laboratory demonstrators will give oral feedback to groups and/or individuals. Feedback will be given on homework assignments by tutors by return of the assignments with written annotations and tutors will give oral feedback to groups during tutorials. Feedback on pre-lab tests may be given through automated online means.