CHEM00020

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Academic Year 2025/2026

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Introductory Chemistry (CHEM00020)

Subject: : Chemistry

College: : Science

School: : Chemistry

Level: : 0 (Foundation/ Access)

Credits: : 5

Module Coordinator: : Dr Andrew Phillips

Trimester: : Autumn

Mode of Delivery: : On Campus

Internship Module: : No

How will I be graded? : Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces first-year agricultural and veterinary nursing students to the basic principles of chemistry and how this central scientific discipline applies to various fields of agriculture, including food science, farming, aquaculture, forestry, and veterinary science. Topics include the structure of atoms and molecules, as well as understanding and measuring physical properties such as mass, volume, and density. A discussion of the first experiments that helped identify parts of the atom and how these components combine to build molecules. The concepts of ionic and covalent bonding are demonstrated, along with the principles of chemical reactions. Students learn how to correctly balance chemical equations, applying the concept of limiting reagents, and calculate molecular mass, molarity and concentrations. There is an introduction to the different phases of matter, including the concept of intermolecular forces and how the type and strength of these forces relate to gases, liquids, and solids. Students learn about the concept of gases, including the ideal gas law. A detailed section is provided on the roles of acids and bases in food science. The course finishes with an examination of energy and thermodynamics. Due to the strong association between agriculture and nature, several key environmental concepts are covered, including atmospheric reactions and the operation of the water cycle. The course content is delivered through on-campus lectures. There are four experiments to be completed, each with a topic based on concepts discussed in the lectures. Continuous assessment consists of four online quizzes completed on Brightspace and four in-class quizzes (also administered on Brightspace) during the in-class tutorials.

About this Module

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What will I learn?

Learning Outcomes:

Students will learn how to write and balance chemical equations containing molecules and or ions. They learn about inter-molecular forces and understand the ideal gas law. They will be the calculate the pH of solutions and foods, and predict what compounds are readily oxidised or reduced. Students will be able to solve basic energy and thermodynamic problems and become aware of agriculturally related environmental issues associated with the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. A combination of in class and online tutorials will assist in the developing techniques for problem-solving and establish theoretical concepts to real-world problems. Moreover, four practical laboratory sessions demonstrate how standard chemistry methods can be applied to identify the composition of common agricultural materials, including fertiliser.

Indicative Module Content:

The scientific process. Exponents and Units. Properties and measurements of matter. Mass, volume and density. Concept of mater, elements and molecules. Structure of atoms, and underlying discovery experiments. The periodic table and its groups. Elements and groups. Electron configurations, cations and anions. Electrochemical cells. Ionic equations, covalent bonding, electron counting in bonds. Drawing Lewis (dot diagrams) structures, chemical naming and chemical formulas. The concept of the mole in chemistry. Balancing chemical equations, limiting reagents, molecular mass, molarity and concentrations. Intermolecular forces, hydrogen bonding, relationships to solids, liquids and gases. Dipoles and electronegativity. Changes of state between different forms of matter. The kinetic theory of gases, Boyle's and Charles' Laws, gases and the mole. The ideal gas equation. The concept of acids and bases, Bronstead and Lowry, Arrhenius definitions. Neutralisation, titration and buffers. Acid-base reactions, conjugate acids and bases. The problem of acid rain. Basic and acid anhydrides. The concept of redox, reduction and oxidation. How to determine oxidation numbers, writing out redox and half-reaction equations. Electrochemistry, batteries and electrochemical cells. Energy, units and differences between kinetic and potential. The first and second laws of thermodynamics. Exo- and endo-thermic reactions. Calculating the energy association in chemical reactions. The problem of fossil fuels, global warming and CO2. Obtaining "green and sustainable" energy from solar, wind, water, and biomass sources. Concept of ppm and ppb, sources of pollution. The water cycle, treatment of drinking water, cleaning water from waste, nitrogen cycle and agriculture.

How will I learn?

Student Effort Hours:

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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

Lectures are given face to face on campus but will also be available through lecture capture and thus can be accessed any time post live lecture. Students are required to complete all 8 online tutorials through Brightspace with a deadline of one week. A series of example problems related to online quizzes are available on Brightspace. Learning is supplemented by 4 face-to-face tutorials where the tutor covers a selection of sample questions related to the final exam. Each student needs to write a short quiz at the end of each tutorial. There are 4 practical experiments to be completed in the School of Chemistry undergraduate laboratories and allows students to perform chemical analysis on agricultural-related materials. A final 2-hour exam (a combination of MCQ and fill-in-the-blank calculation problems) is based on all material given through the trimester. The exam may be written in person or held online, and the decision is to be communicated during the trimester.

Am I eligible to take this module?

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.

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Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Incompatibles:\ BIOC00010 - Chemistry-Biochemistry, CHEM00010 - Introductory Chemistry, CHEM10030 - Chemistry for Engineers, CHEM10130 - Applied Intro. & Phys Chem\ \ \  \

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Strategy

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Carry forward of passed components

Yes

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What happens if I fail?

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \

Assessment feedback

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback on student progress is provided through tutorial quizzes laboratory reports. Wrong answers entered on the online tutorials is provided online. Sample problems are worked through in the in-class tutorials with direct feedback provided.

Reading List

Chemistry For Changing Times by John W. Hill, Terry W. McCreary, Doris K. Kolb. Pearson, 14th edition (28 Mar. 2016) or later.

Associated Staff

When is this module offered?

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.

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