Hertfordshire International College (HIC)

Introductory Module Document

Title: Chemistry A
Module Code: SCI124
Course Administrator: Karoline Giles
Tel No: 01707 284938
Email: Karoline.giles@navitas.com
Room: Academic Services Office
Module Aim:
The aims of this module are to enable students to gain an understanding of the basic Chemistry
related to Life Sciences. This will include the appropriate laws of physics, knowledge of
analytical techniques and the application of these to Life Science applications.
Module Learning Outcomes:
The ability to apply the fundamental laws of physics to explain the structure of matter and the
reactions between atoms and/or molecules. Competence in solving problems within the various
topics using a structured thought process and to include the manipulation of chemical
equations of various types.
An appreciation of the importance of Chemistry to the natural world and to the various
disciplines of Life Science. The confidence to apply the knowledge of Chemistry to some Life
Science situations and problems
Module Schedule: Semester
Day
Time
Type
Period
Location
Staff
Monday
11 - 13
Lecture
14/09/15 Various
Mirela Martin
Wednesday
16 18
Lecture
04/12/15
Teaching Outline by each Staff Member
Week no.
Lecture
Staff
Mirela Martin
Week 1
Introduction to the major aims and objectives of
Session 1.1
the module. An overview of content of the course
and how it relates to the undergraduate Life
Science courses on offer.
Week 1
Session 1.2
The purpose of the study of chemistry, the use of
analytical techniques, the structure of matter and
laws of physics. The application of these to the
Life Sciences.
Week 1
Session 1.3

Week 2
Session 2.1

The structure of the atom.

Electrons, protons and neutrons
Mass number and atomic number
Isotopes
Relative atomic mass
Review of 1.3
The elements and Chemical formulae
The Periodic Table

Mirela Martin

Week 2
Session 2.2

Week 3

Week 4
4.1

4.2

Periodicity
Properties of the elements in the various
blocks
Atypical properties of some elements.
Electronic Structure
Review of atomic structure
Arrangement of electrons
Energy levels
Ions and ionisation energies
Electronic configurations
Subshells and orbitals
Structure and bonding- ionic compounds
Simple ionic bonding
Ionic crystal structures
Hydrated crystal structures
Complex citations
Polyatomic non-metal ions

Mirela Martin

Mirela Martin

Intermolecular forces
Van der Waals forces
Dipole-dipole attractions
Ion-dipole interactions
Hydrogen bonding
Mirela Martin

Week 5
5.1
Revision for mid-term exam

5.2

Week 6

Chemical calculation : formulae and equations

Chemistry of carbon
Empirical formulae
Ionic equations
Molecular formulae
Structural formulae

The amount of substance the mole

Molar mass
Avogadro constant
Molar volume
Concentration
Chemical calculations
2

Mirela Martin

Week 7

Mirela Martin

Session 7.1

Review of assessment A

Session 7.2

Revision of topics 5.2 and 6

Week 8
Session 8.1

Session 8.2

Week 9
Session 9.1

Session 9.2

Week 10
Session 10.1
A 2 hours lab
booking is
needed for this
session
Session 10.2

Week 11
Session 11.1

Mirela Martin
Gases
Kinetic theory of gases
Gas laws
General gas equation
Daltons law of partial pressures
Real gas behaviour

Phase changes
Boiling Point
Melting Point
Mirela Martin
Review on sessions 8.1 and 8.2

Energetics Measuring enthalpy changes

Heat change and temperature
Enthalpy change
Exothermic and endothermic processes
Enthalpy change of neutralisation
Mirela Martin
Lab report measuring enthalpy change in laboratory

H and Hess Law

Internal energy change of combustion
Molar enthalpy change- standard, combustion and
formation
Hess and thermodynamics
Bond energies
Bond dissociation enthalpies
Bond energies

Mirela Martin

Hess law
Patterns in bond energies
Calculations

Session 11.2

Lattice Energies
Energy cycles
Born-Haber cycles
Lattice energy values

Week 12
Session 12.1

Mirela Martin
Enthalpy changes
H enthalpy change
G - free energy change
Entropy changes
Electrochemical reactions
Reduction of oxides by carbon

Session 12.2

Revision for End of Term exam

Lab report due this week.

Week 13

Exam week
Final exam- Summative exam (all topics)
Module Assessment

Assessment

Submission
time and date

Mid-term
exam closed
book
examination
Measuring
Enthalpy
change Lab
report

Return
deadline in
timetable

Mirela Martin

Set By

Pass Mark

Value

Week 6 All
topics covered
so far

M MARTIN

50%

30%

Week 10
Practical

M MARTIN

50%

10%

Week 12submission of
written lab
report
End of term
week 13
M MARTIN
50%
60%
exam - closed Summative
book
exam all
examination
topics
Assessment Notes:
All assessments are closed book in-class tests.
The distribution of the questions in summative exam will reflect the teaching times dedicated to the
4

appropriate topic. Marks available for each question will be dependent on the relative difficulty of
the topic. A simply question will score a lower maximum mark than a more
Assessment Criteria
There is a minimum pass mark of 50% which will attract a grade D.
Student Portal
The student portal site for this module will be used for announcements, changes to the teaching
schedule or assessments, and supplementary teaching information.
You should check the portal on a regular basis for new information.
Reading lists are available on the student portal.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic offences, including plagiarism, are treated very seriously at HIC. A student who is proven
to have committed an academic offence may be placing his or her studies in jeopardy. It is your
responsibility as a student to make sure that you understand what constitutes an academic offence,
and in particular, what constitutes plagiarism and techniques for avoiding it. Read the information in
the College Policy and Regulations, found on the student portal.
If you still do not understand what constitutes an academic offence, please consult the HIC
Academic Services Office.
Bibliography:
Gent, Dave and Ritchie, Rob (eds)
1. OCR AS Chemistry A Student Book and Exam Cafe CD-ROM (OCR A Level Chemistry
A) [Illustrated] [Paperback]
Publisher: Heinemann; 1 edition (31 Jan 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0435691813
ISBN-13: 978-0435691813
2. OCR A2 Chemistry A Student Book and CD-ROM [Paperback]
Publisher: Heinemann; 1 edition (24 Dec 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0435691988
ISBN-13: 978-0435691981

Contact Details:
HIC Hertfordshire International College (HIBT Ltd)
Associate College of University of Hertfordshire
College Lane Campus
College Lane
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 1707 284398
E: Karoline.giles@navitas.com
W: www.hibt-uk.co.uk