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CHEM10050

Academic Year 2024/2025

Basis of Organic and Biological Chemistry (CHEM10050)

Subject:
Chemistry
College:
Science
School:
Chemistry
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Eoghan McGarrigle
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

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.

About this Module

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
(it should be noted that the laboratory component is must-pass).
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 Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Practical Skills Assessment: Laboratory assessment including laboratory practice, report, data and sample quality. Four Practicals will be assessed on a two-week cycle Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10 Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes
20
 Yes
Group Work Assignment: Presentation on chemical properties of a pharmaceutical drug. Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Five homework assignments (on a two-week cycle) based on lecture material Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
7.5
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Five quizzes during tutorials Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
7.5
 No
Exam (In-person): 2 Hour End of Trimester Examination consisting of multiple choice and related question formats, assessing the theoretical material. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
55
 No

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
Dr Fun Man Fung Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Declan Gilheany Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Patrick Guiry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Zoe Beato Tutor
Ms Arlene Bonner Tutor
Niamh Disney Tutor
Ms Aoibhinn Downes Tutor
Celine Erkey Tutor
Matthew Kiernan Tutor
Ms Dairine Morgan Tutor
Adam O'Connell Tutor
Aoibheann O'Connor Tutor
Mrs Sarah Smoni Varghese 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, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 17:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 17:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 8 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Fri 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 9 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Fri 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 10 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Fri 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 11 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 31, 33 Fri 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 13 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Fri 17:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 14 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 16 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Thurs 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 17 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Thurs 17:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 18 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 20 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Fri 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 22 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Fri 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 22 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Fri 17:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 24 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Fri 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 25 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Fri 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Wed 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 3 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Thurs 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 4 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Fri 11:00 - 13:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 5 Week(s) - 20, 23, 25, 29, 31 Fri 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 7 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Wed 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 9 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 11 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 33 Fri 11:00 - 13:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 13 Week(s) - 21, 24, 26, 30, 33 Fri 15:00 - 17:50
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