Chemistry BSc (Hons): XJTLU 2+2 programme

The module introduces the descriptive coordination and organometallic chemistry and the concepts underpinning our understanding of this chemistry.

This module aims to (i) further develop the quantitative skills of a student, (ii) introduce students to the Chemistry Key Skill of Molecular Modelling, and (iii) maintain student development of general transferable and employability skills. The overarching learning outcome is that students will gain the necessary key skills to perform well in their chemistry degree programmes. By the end of the module students will have improved their ability to perform and apply mathematical techniques to problems in kinetics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics and molecular symmetry. They will have developed abilities to employ force-field and Quantum Chemistry techniques in Molecular Modelling using the Spartan package. They will also have further developed their range of transferable and employability skills, including written and oral communication and team working.

This is a practical module in which students learn the practice of taking physical measurements, the critical analysis and evaluation of experimental data, the application of measurements to the study of chemical phenomena and the dissemination of results.

This module is the core Organic Chemistry module for Year 2 Chemistry students. It introduces important carbon-carbon bond forming reactions within a mechanistic and synthetic framework, together with exposure to a selection of stereochemical issues.

This module expands on the fundamentals of Physical Chemistry that were introduced in Year 1. The principles and applications of thermodynamics, kinetics and spectroscopy are covered in detail with more emphasis on derivation of key results than in Year 1. Quantum mechanics is developed from the basic principles and mathematical description of quantum phenomena. It is applied to describe bonding in small molecules and in solids, and is linked to spectroscopy via detailed description of molecular energy levels and the possible transitions between these permitted by quantum mechanics.

The module presents a unified approach to the synthesis and characterisation of organic and inorganic compounds, introducing a range of synthetic techniques, experiments and analytical methods.

This module shows how an understanding of the symmetry properties of molecules can be applied to the understanding of spectroscopic selection rules and bonding

This module introduces students to the fundamental principles that underpin modern medicinal chemistry.

This is an introductory module that aims to illustrate the fundamental theoretical principles of selected instrumental analytical techniques (NMR spectroscopy, mass-spectrometry, atomic spectroscopy, separation and hyphenated techniques) in the context of their roles in industrial and academic research, to include chemical and pharmaceutical analysis.

This module introduces the basic concepts of sustainability and sustainable development, particularly in relation to their technological underpinnings. The module will address the role of chemistry in relation to broad societal, environmental and developmental questions. The module also gives a fundamental understanding of the principles and technologies in Green Chemistry and the generation of Renewable Energy and Chemicals.

Climate, Atmosphere and Oceans provides an understanding of how the climate system operates. The module draws on basic scientific principles to understand how climate has evolved over the history of the planet and how the climate system is operating now. Attention is particularly paid to the structure and circulation of the atmosphere and ocean, and how they both interact. The course emphasises acquiring mechanistic insight and drawing upon order of magnitude calculations. By the end of the module students will understand how the oceans and atmosphere combine to shape Earth’s climate. Students gain quantitative skills by completing a series of coursework exercises and a final exam. Students address the Net Zero carbon goal via group work involving digital storytelling.​

Organic functional materials are of increasing global importance with applications in energy, medicine and electronics. This module will highlight how functional organic materials such as high-performance polymers, crosslinked polymers and composites, and porous materials can be designed for specific applications. The module will also explain how advanced characterisation methods (including scattering techniques, gas sorption, size exclusion chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile measurement, and electron microscopy) are used in the development of modern materials. Additionally, this module will provide an introduction to polymers, outlining aspects of polymer synthesis, properties and characterisation. Some of the history, importance, and current issues of polymeric materials – such as sustainability – will be discussed to provide an understanding of the wider context. CHEM241 will be useful to chemists who wish to develop a deeper understanding of how organic compounds can be designed to provide functional materials

This module shows how an understanding of the symmetry properties of molecules can be applied to the understanding of spectroscopic selection rules and bonding.

MATH162 introduces basic concepts and techniques used in probability and statistics. Mathematics does not only deal with precise statements and exact solutions. This module will teach you how to cope with uncertainties associated with incomplete or overwhelming information. Statistics is the science of data. MATH162 presents the most-used methods of basic statistics in a way that emphasizes working with data and mastering statistical reasoning. It is elementary in mathematical level, but conceptually rich in statistical ideas and serious in its aim to help students think about data and use statistical methods with understanding. MATH162 material includes a large set of tutorial/homework problems which widen your view on the use of mathematics for practical problems. The module also includes a set of practical sessions where you solve statistical problems using software packages such as R. MATH162 prepares you for a range of follow-up modules – it is a prerequisite for 22 currently delivered modules."

An extension of second year organic chemistry, covering pericyclic reactions, rearrangements and fragmentations, radical reactions, some important palladium-catalysed coupling reactions and the uses of phosphorous, sulphur and selenium in synthetic chemistry.
Some core physical-organic concepts are introduced along with revision of basic mechanisms.

This module builds on the fundamental inorganic chemistry that students have studied previously to give an appreciation of the science underpinning the development of modern materials. It will discuss the fundamentals of crystalline and disordered solids, and magnetism; methods for synthesising materials; characterisation techniques; applications of inorganic materials; and the link between the chemistry, structure and function of materials.

This module aims to help Chemistry students develop skills needed for further educational opportunities (i.e. MSc/PhD) or employment in a wide range of chemical and non-chemical based sectors. During the ‘Employability skills’ section, students will look at a variety of employability related skills, job application exercises, interview preparation techniques and presentation experience. This will be in the form of asynchronous lectures, online and in-person workshops and in-person tutorials and will require reflective thinking and group work – this will be facilitated by the module staff and other colleagues from the institution and wider industry. During the ‘database’ section, students will further their knowledge of the scientific literature developed during years 1/2 by engaging with more advanced aspects of various databases and writing a scientific electronic report of an experiment the students have completed in the laboratory.

The aim of this module is to reinforce and extend the students’ knowledge of Physical Chemistry. Three areas of contemporary relevance in Physical Chemistry will be introduced to demonstrate the application of basic Physical Chemistry concepts to practical applications and to broaden the students’ knowledge of the subject area. These areas are the Physical Chemistry of the Condensed Phase, Protein Structure and Folding and the Photochemistry of the Atmosphere. The module is delivered largely by lectures/podcasts, supplemented by tutorial workshops.

In this module, students will carry out a bespoke collection of advanced experiments in three of the areas of Organic, Inorganic, Physical or Computational Chemistry.

This module is a mini project for Final Year BSc Chemistry students. Students will be assigned an extended experiment on a synthetic (organic or inorganic), physical (catalysis, electrochemistry, surface science, modelling, nanoparticles) or other types of project, according to their own interests/abilities and project availability. However, the project does not necessarily have to be research or laboratory based, although these would be expected to cover the majority of cases. School outreach projects and some development projects may be available.

Organic functional materials are of increasing global importance with applications in energy, medicine and engineering. The module will build on content from CHEM241 to take a detailed look at recent developments in organic materials including high performance/​speciality polymers, porous materials and drug delivery systems.  ​

​This module will focus on energy conversion processes found in nature. Energy as a commodity is described as "reducing power" or as "high energy electrons" and the concept of nutrient or fuel is introduced. Biological energy conversion processes are discussed from an evolutionary perspective, and it is described how they have contributed to the current composition of the planet’s atmosphere and crust. Sustainability issues will become apparent when comparing the time scales of biogenic fuel accumulation and human consumption of fuel. 

At the surfaces of materials, the Chemistry can be very different from that in molecules and in the bulk of materials. Having fewer neighbouring atoms and molecules than in the bulk, the surface atoms can adopt quite different bonding environments. The electronic structure is affected and therefore the reactivity of surface atoms is different. This course will introduce students to the Chemistry at surfaces, how surface structure is determined and described, what chemical processes occur at surfaces and how this knowledge is applied in particular surface chemistries and surface nanotechnology.

Further Analytical Chemistry provides the students with a knowledge of the principles of structural elucidation and application of various spectroscopic and spectrometric analytical techniques for identification and structural characterization of small molecules. This module will include the fundamental principles of selected instrumental analytical techniques (solution NMR spectroscopy, mass-spectrometry, separation and hyphenated techniques) in the context of their application for structural analysis in synthetic organic chemistry and catalysis.

The research internship is designed to give students the experience of working in a research environment or setting that is quite different from any project work that they undertake in the laboratories in the Department of Chemistry. It should provide an insight into how students may apply skills and experiences later in their career; whether working abroad, in industry or in any other scientific setting.

This module introduces the basic concepts of sustainability and sustainable development, particularly in relation to their technological underpinnings. The module will address the role of chemistry in relation to broad societal, environmental and developmental questions. The module also gives a fundamental understanding of the principles and technologies in Green Chemistry and the generation of Renewable Energy and Chemicals.

The module presents the synthesis and reactivity of the most important classes of heterocyclic compounds and shows case studies drawn from major drug classes.