CHEMISTRY IN CONTEXT

USSJRT-30-1

MODULE BOOKLET

Module leader: Dr Annabelle Hodson

University of the West of England, Bristol

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the module Chemistry in Context. This booklet sets out the general
lecture content of the course, provides a list of useful textbooks, and reminds you of the
methods of assessment.
The module covers topics in chemistry which are relevant to students studying
forensic programmes, and will be delivered throughout the first and second semesters
by a series of lectures, tutorials, workshops and practicals. At the beginning of term you
will be assigned to a tutorial group based upon your background experience of
chemistry. These tutorials sessions are important opportunities for you to discuss the
lecture material in a more relaxed setting, to ask questions and to practice answering
written questions on the topic.
Experience shows that good attendance at all the timetabled sessions is usually
linked to attainment of better marks, so you should aim to attend everything. Time
spent in the lab allows you to gain important practical skills and to ask questions
about what you do and see. Remember also that good performance in written
assessments is usually related to a good set of lecture notes, and copying up
someone elses notes cannot replace the experience of listening and recording your
own thoughts during a lecture. If you are ill, or have to miss a session for some
reason, please make sure that you speak to a member of staff about your absence, as
you may have missed an important element of assessment.
The module will be assessed by completion of two portfolios of coursework (one
in each semester), and by two written examinations, one in the first assessment period
directly after Xmas, and the other in May/June. The deadline for submission of
coursework 1 is week 20 and for coursework 2 is week 35. In each case, a completed
(or electronically bar coded) coversheet must be securely attached to the work, and the
work should be posted in the appropriately labelled grey box on level 1 at the A block
concourse. Note that this module will not accept electronic submission of coursework
via Blackboard.
We hope that you will find the module both stimulating and enjoyable. If you have
any problems during the year, please contact one of us for assistance.
Dr Annabelle Hodson

(2L9)

e-mail: Annabelle.Hodson@uwe.ac.uk

Dr David Rodgers

(1G11c) e-mail: David.Rodgers@uwe.ac.uk

Dr James Costello

(2G24)

e-mail: James.Costello@uwe.ac.uk

Learning Outcomes:
On completion of the module students will be able to
give examples to illustrate how atomic structure relates to nuclear instability and
radioactive decay;
illustrate how molecular structure and bonding relates to reactivity of forensically
important organic compounds eg drugs;
use ideas of entropy and enthalpy as a predictive tool to determine stabilities of
compounds and yields of reactions;
analyse simple kinetic data and relate this analysis to reaction mechanisms;
explain how underlying bonding in metals and their complexes gives rise to their
magnetic, electronic and biological properties;
describe common synthetic strategies and types of reaction relevant to drugs,
flavours, fragrances;
identify important classes of organic functional groups and ring systems, and
relate their structure to action as acids or bases in chemical reactions;
illustrate their knowledge of chirality and configuration in organic molecules using
simple examples of drugs, flavours or fragrances;
carry out a range of practical techniques encountered in chemical synthesis and
experimental chemistry.
Syllabus outline:
Winning Combinations.
Structure and radioactive decay of atoms an introduction to nuclear forensics. Why
do atoms combine into complex molecules and materials, and how does this
influence their chemical and physical properties? Chemical combinations - origins of
ionic and covalent bonding related to atomic structure and the Periodic Table;
electronegativity, polar bonds and intermolecular forces.
Valence bond theory of sigma and pi bonding in organic compounds. Formation of
carbon-carbon bonds, overview of the structure and naming of alkanes, alkenes,
alkynes and simple arenes.
Naming and structures of important inorganic compounds and metal coordination
compounds, origins of isomerism and biological relevance. Theories of bonding
related to electronic and magnetic properties of metals and their complexes.
Explosive or Inert?
Why do reactions happen? Introduction to stability of atoms, molecules and
mixtures, with examples of specific explosives.
Entropy, order and disorder. Energy and combustion, enthalpy. Isotopes, radiation
and radioactive decay.
Elementary kinetics. Definition and factors influencing the rate of a chemical reaction.
Classification of reactions according to speed and complexity. Rate equations for first
and second order reactions: mention of zero, third and fractional order reactions.
Experimental and mathematical methods for determination of order and rate

constants. Temperature dependence of reaction rates. Introduction to catalysis and

organic synthesis.
Dissociation constants and theories of acids and bases.
Drugs, Flavours and Fragrances.
Workshops exploring chemical structures and physicochemical properties of
important drugs, flavours and fragrances.
Identifying organic functional groups and ring systems: classes of functional group,
unsaturated and aromatic systems.
Synthesis and reactivity of aromatic and non-aromatic ring systems. Fundamental
stereochemistry in the context of drugs, flavours and fragrances - structural isomers
and stereoisomers.
Chiral centres, enantiomers and physical properties. Different representations of
structure in chiral molecules.
Systems containing two chiral centres, diastereoisomers, meso compounds.
Specification of relative configurations, absolute configurations, sequence rules for
molecules containing one chiral centre.
Geometrical isomerism and cis/trans,Z/E specification of configuration. Relevance of
stereochemistry to biochemistry.
Types of chemical reagent and common synthetic reactions in organic synthesis.

Teaching and Learning Methods:

The module will be delivered using lectures, tutorials (including online video tutorials
available at http://calcscience.uwe.ac.uk, workshops and practical work. Students will
be expected to widen their own knowledge base in particular areas of the syllabus
having been given specific direction, and this will form the basis of some of the
tutorial sessions. The tutorial sessions offer students support focused on their
individual needs.
Indicative Sources:
The recommended textbooks are:
Johll M, Investigating Chemistry a forensic perspective, W H Freeman (2009)
Lewis R. and Evans W., Chemistry (4th edn), Palgrave Macmillan (2011)
Aspects of the syllabus are also covered in books such as:

Bell S, Forensic Chemistry (2nd edn), Pearson (2013)

Vollhardt K P C & Schore N E, Organic Chemistry: Structure and Function (5th

edn), W H Freeman (2007)

Winter M J, d-Block Chemistry, (Oxford Primer), Oxford Sciences Publications

(1994)

McMurry J E, Fay R C and Fantini J, Chemistry (6th edn), Pearson (2008)

Atkins P and Jones L, Chemical Principles, (4th edn), W H Freeman and Co,
(2008)

Housecroft C E and Constable E C, Chemistry (4th edn), Pearson (2010)

Reading Strategy
Suitable support textbooks can be found in Section 540 of the library. All students
will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to
them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic
journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information
gateways.
The University Librarys web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and
services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely.
Additional support should be sought from general texts, including A-level texts, and
web-based resources under the topics:
Atomic structure; The periodic table; Chemical bonds; Organic functional groups;
Energy states of matter (introductory level);

Assessment
Portfolio 1 of practical worksheets and exercises.

30%

Portfolio 2 of practical worksheets and exercises

30%

Written 1 hour exam January

13.3%

Written 2 hour exam May/June

26.7%

Specimen papers for the January and May/June exams will be provided during the
year so that you can see the style of questions in the final papers and for you to use
as a revision aid.