CHEM10050 Basis of Organic and Biological Chemistry

Academic Year 2022/2023

The module is an introduction to organic chemistry, the chemistry of carbon compounds. It is a core module for students planning to pursue programmes in Biology or Chemistry, and is also suitable as an elective for students, with a good background in chemistry at second level, wishing to learn more about the chemistry of living things.
It covers the common organic molecules (alkenes, alcohols, amines, carbonyls etc.) and emphasises their recognition, naming, reactions and relevance to everyday life and health. Specific topics include 3D aspects of chemistry, what exactly happens in a chemical reaction and how it is done in practice. A significant proportion of the module is devoted to the larger molecules of life (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) and shows how these can be understood in terms of simpler molecules.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
Understand the structures of organic molecules and recognize and name examples of them.
Predict the properties and reactions of a molecule from its structure.
Discuss the reactions of common organic compounds.
Design the synthesis of a simple molecule from available starting materials.
Understand the molecular basis of life.
Safely perform a simple chemical synthesis in the laboratory.
Make a presentation using PowerPoint and chemical structure drawing software.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

5
Practical

15
Specified Learning Activities

10
Autonomous Student Learning

48
Total

102
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, including in-class activities such as problem solving and small-group discussions.
Problem solving in interactive tutorials.
Independent learning in advance of lectures and, particularly, laboratory classes.
Independent learning in teams in the presentation component.
Note that the T&L activities may need to be modified in light of the evolution of the COVID pandemic. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

CHEM00010 (Introductory Chemistry) or Grade H5 or above in Leaving Certificate Chemistry Higher Level, or Grade O1 in Leaving Certificate Chemistry Ordinary Level, or equivalent.

Learning Recommendations:

For students with a Grade H5 or above in Leaving Certificate Chemistry Higher Level, or Grade O1 in Leaving Certificate Chemistry Ordinary Level, or equivalent, CHEM10040 (The Molecular World) would be advantageous prior learning but not required.
CHEM20080 (Basis of Physical Chemistry) or CHEM20100 (Basis of Inorganic Chemistry) are recommended parallel learning.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
BIOC00010 - Chemistry-Biochemistry, CHEM10010 - Intro to Biomolecules, CHEM10090 - Organic Chemistry (Med), CHEM20060 - Organic Chemistry - Engineers


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Lab Report: Laboratory assessment including laboratory practice, report, data and sample quality. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Online examination consisting of multiple choice and related question formats, asessing the theoretical material. 2 hour End of Trimester Exam n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

55
Presentation: Presentation on chemical properties of a pharmaceutical drug. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Assignment: Homework assignments and in-class tests at end of each tutorial Varies over the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

15

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on laboratory reports will be provided when the report is returned at the start of the next laboratory class. Feedback on tutorial assignments will be provided in the tutorials. Group feedback will be provided after the presentations.

Name Role
Professor Declan Gilheany Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Patrick Guiry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Zoe Beato Tutor
Ms Arlene Bonner Tutor
Zoe Byrne Tutor
Mr Adam Cruise Tutor
Niamh Disney Tutor
Ms Aoibhinn Downes Tutor
Celine Erkey Tutor
Matthew Kiernan Tutor
Miss Niamh Lehane Tutor
Ms Dandan Lin Tutor
Ms Dairine Morgan Tutor
Mr Parth Naik Tutor
Cáoimhe Niland Tutor
Adam O'Connell Tutor
Aoibheann O'Connor Tutor
Mrs Sarah Smoni Varghese Tutor
Donal Whelan Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Tues 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 22, 25, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 8 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 16:00 - 16:50
Tutorial Offering 9 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Fri 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 10 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Tutorial Offering 11 Week(s) - 22, 25, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 12 Week(s) - 22, 25, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 14 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 16 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Mon 16:00 - 16:50
Tutorial Offering 17 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 18 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 20 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Tues 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 22 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 24 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Wed 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 25 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Wed 16:00 - 16:50
Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 22, 25, 29, 31 Wed 15:00 - 17:50
Laboratory Offering 3 Week(s) - 20, 22, 25, 29, 31 Thurs 15:00 - 17:50
Laboratory Offering 5 Week(s) - 20, 22, 25, 29, 33 Fri 15:00 - 17:50
Laboratory Offering 7 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 15:00 - 17:50
Laboratory Offering 9 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 15:00 - 17:50
Laboratory Offering 11 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 31, 32 Fri 11:00 - 13:50
Laboratory Offering 13 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 31, 32 Fri 15:00 - 17:50
Spring