This module aims to provide students with a basic understanding of chemistry and this relates to an environmental context.

(LO1) Describe the structure of an atom, its electronic configuration and predict some of its chemical behaviour based on its position in the periodic table

(LO2) Understand the inter- and intra-molecular forces that bond molecules and atoms together to form "matter" and thus be able to explain e.g. why water is a liquid at room temperature while oxygen is a gas

(LO3) Name chemical compounds, write balanced chemical reactions, and understand how the amount of products and reactants can be predicted

(LO4) Understand what redox reactions are and be able to work them out

(LO5) Understand basics of aquatic chemistry such as pH, concentration, dilution or equilibrium constants

(LO6) Know the basics of organic chemistry.

(S1) Problem solving/ critical thinking/ creativity analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

(S2) Numeracy (application of) manipulation of numbers, general mathematical awareness and its application in practical contexts (e.g. measuring, weighing, estimating and applying formulae)

The content of the module may slightly change from this syllabus description. Detailed description of the module will be given in the first introductory session.

Topics to be seen include:

Chemical compounds - Metals and Non-metals
Atomic Structures, Orbitals and Periodicity
Chemical Bonding
Oxidation-Reduction
Moles, Formulae
Stoichiometry
Solubility of solids and gases
Chemical Equilibrium
Enthalpy change
Acids and Bases, pH.
Organic Chemistry 
Environmental Chemistry

Lectures will be supplemented by formative workshops and on-line quiz that are available on most topics.

Lectures:
24 in-person powerpoint based lectures, each typically 35 to 45 min long, where students can engage with the lecturer.

e-Quiz.
A short quiz is accessible on-line typically after each lecture + formative on-line assessment in preparation for on-line summative test 2 and 3. These exercises provide practice for students to check their understanding.

Tutorials
5 X 2 hours formative workshops. These workshops provide opportunity for students to ask questions to staff or demonstrators about specific exercises or any lectures. These workshops are run by lecturers with the help of demonstrators, who are typically PhD students doing research in a chemical and environmental context.

PAL (Personalised Assisted Learning) sessions.
11 x 1h revision sessions (1 per week, week 2 to 12) run by Year 2 and/or Year 3 students, who did this module previously. These PAL sessions are prepared by the teaching team and are optionals.

Revision Sessions :
1x2h revision session that focuses on calculation + 2x1h sessions at the end of the term to answer any questions that students may have. These revision sessions are prepared and delivered by the teaching team and are optional.