Session 4 : Results of group survey -The Common Topics

Group T

Topic        Term 1              

• Atoms, ions, quanta             
• Structure and bonding           
• Introduction to organic and inorganic chemistry  
• Introduction to energetics  
• Stereochemistry  
• Acids, bases and hydrogen  
• Saturated monofunctional compounds  
• Solid state structure  
• Equilibria  

 Topic        Term 2   

• Nmr and mass spectra
• Electronic spectra  
• Vibrational and rotational spectra  
• Molecular orbitals  
• First row non-metals  
• s-block elements  
• p-block elements  
• Organic charbonyl compounds  
• Second law of thermodynamics  
• Kinetics  
• Analytical techniques  
• Protein structure and function  

Topic        Term 3     

• Transition metals
• Alkenes and alkynes  
• Aromatic chemistry  
• Electrochemistry  
• Enzyme kinetics and mechanism  
• Macromolecules  

Plus Skills/Options in Maths, IT and Physics/Biology.

Practicals focused on:

synthesis; thermodynamics; analysis; kinetics      (some were integrated)

It seems as though the answer to the question "what is first year chemistry?" is "a compilation of ‘things’ that are needed for higher level chemistry!".

Group U - Common Topics

Group R - Common Topics

• Variety of labs
• Functional organic groups and mechanisms
• Stereochemistry
• Thermodynamics
• Kinetics
• Electrochemistry
• Bonding
• Structures of solids
• Trends in the periodic table
• Spectroscopy and chromatography
• Stoichiometry; acids and bases

Some universities also taught

• Phase equilibria
• Coordination chemistry

Group S - Common Topics 

• Atomic structure (quanta, periodic properties)
• Bonding (packing, VSEPR, periodic table)
• Reaction mechanisms (S_N, E, radicals)
• Kinetics (rate equations, E_act , Arrhenius)
• Thermodynamics (1st and 2nd law, equilibria)
• Spectroscopy (IR, NMR with applications)
• Big molecules (nomenclature, isomers, functional groups)

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