KE501: Basic chemistry

• Have knowledge of mathematics equal to A-level in high school
  
• Have knowledge of chemistry corresponding to minimum B-level in high school

The overall aim of KE501 is to introduce chemistry at university level and to bridge between high school and university teaching. The course will focus on general, physical and organic chemistry through a broad introduction to the most important topics and principles within these parts of chemistry. In the course, emphasis will be placed on application of chemical theory to problem solving and explanation of chemical processes and phenomena. 

The course builds on the competencies that the students bring with them from high school and provides the necessary chemical foundation for all life science students. It will therefore form the basis for higher chemical, biological and molecular studies as well as for the integration of chemistry into other disciplines.

With respect to the competences obtained through the course, the  focus on the following specific competencies within chemistry:

• knowledge of the fundamental knowledge formation and experimental methods within chemistry, including organic chemistry, physical chemistry and theoretical chemistry
• to understand how scientific knowledge within the natural sciences is obtained through an interaction between theory and experiment
• to understand and reflect on theories, methods and practices within chemistry 
• to acquire knowledge in an effective and independent manner and to be able to apply this knowledge through reflection
• apply methods to investigate specific chemical phenomena theoretically and/or experimentally
• describe, formulate and communicate issues and results to either peers and non-specialists or collaborators
• engage in professional and interdisciplinary collaboration with a professional approach and in group-based project work
• identify own learning needs and structure own learning in different learning environments

• explain the meaning of different types of chemical bonds
• identify simple molecules and ions and write Lewis structures and geometries for them
• apply Le Chatelier's principle to a chemical equilibrium and make calculations of equilibrium mixtures including pH calculations of  acid/base systems
• identify reaction orders of zero, first and second order kinetics and apply the concept of activation energy
• identify and apply the concepts of enthalpy, entropy, heat capacity, free energy and solubility product in simple calculations.
• perform calculations of concentrations, potentials and equilibrium constants based on Nernst's equation
• read and record organic chemical structural formulas and recognize basic structures and functional groups
• apply the nomenclature rules for simple organic molecules as well as recognize common trivial names.
• explain the concepts "hydrophilic" and "hydrophobic", recognize molecules with these properties and relate these concepts to the structure and organization of molecules
• apply basic concepts within stereochemistry and isomerism as well as the concepts configuration and conformation.
• state the common functional groups in organic molecules and explain their reactions
• apply simple mechanisms in the explanation the most common chemical reactions
• explain the main aspects of nucleophilic substitution, electrophilic addition, elimination, condensation, hydrolysis, oxidation and reduction.
• suggest simple organic syntheses based on basic structure and functional groups
• recognize and name the functional groups in biological macromolecules, and  explain their basic chemical structure.
• apply stereochemical nomenclature to organic and biomolecules
• to be acquainted with experimental design and control experiments from an epistemological perspective
• relate theoretical knowledge to practical experiments and observations
• work independently and safely in a laboratory, including safe handling of chemicals 

• Atomic structure in relation to the periodic table
  
• Chemical bonding and molecular structure
• Hydrocarbons, functional groups, stereochemistry and nomenclature
• Hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties
• Chemical equilibrium, including acids and bases and heterogeneous equilibria
• Thermodynamics, including its 1st law, energy and enthalpy, and 2nd law, entropy and free energy
• Electrochemistry
• Reaction kinetics
• Organic chemical groups and their reactions
• Structure and function of biological macromolecules 

• Intro phase: 39 hours
• Training phase: 56 hours, of which: Tutorial: 40 hours and laboratory exercises: 16 hours

The intro phase consists of lectures, where an introduction is given to the topics, an overview is created and the topics are put into perspective. Dialogue for lectures is created primarily by using a "classroom response system" such as Poll Everywhere.

• Work in study groups (scheduled study phase), including the use of cooperative learning
  
• Project work in study groups
• Preparation of project report