Chemistry

Course summary

Chemistry is taught as a mixture of practical and theory lessons combined to give a sound understanding of the principles and concepts involved. The topics are divided up into three main areas: Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry. Physical Chemistry: Atomic structure, Amount of substance, Bonding, Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier's principle and Kc, Oxidation, Reduction and redox equations, Thermodynamics, Rate equations, Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems, Acids and bases. Inorganic Chemistry: Periodicity, Group 2: the alkaline earth metals, Group 7: the halogens. Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides, Transition metals, Reactions of ions in solution. Organic Chemistry: Introduction to organic chemistry, Alkanes, Haloalkanes, Alkenes, Alcohols, Organic analysis, Optical isomerism, Aldehydes and ketones, Carboxylic acids and derivatives, Aromatic chemistry, Amines, Polymers, Amino acids, proteins and DNA, Organic synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, Chromatography.