The molecular world
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| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | 2 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) |
| Examination | No residential school |
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Summary
Chemistry is of enormous importance in everyday life: almost everything we are, see, make and eat is composed of molecules. This course offers a wide-ranging introduction to chemistry and its applications, integrating the three main branches of chemistry: organic, inorganic, and physical. It covers the reactions of metals; the solid state; molecular shapes; thermodynamics; kinetics; the synthesis of organic compounds; spectroscopic methods of determining structure; bonding theory; periodic trends and non-metals. Multimedia materials provide interactive teaching of key concepts. Nine case studies cover topics of current interest including polymers, batteries, catalysis, drug design, liquid crystals, and forensic science.
You might also be interested in the 10-point residential-school course SXR205 Exploring the molecular world, which complements this course.
Course content
The course provides a broad foundation in chemistry, introducing its fundamental ideas, principles and techniques. It also demonstrates the central role of chemistry in science and the importance of a molecular approach in biology and Earth sciences. The course develops an integrated approach, with themes in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry set in the context of chemistry as a whole. The examples have been chosen to illustrate the importance of chemistry in the natural world and in industry. Nine case studies show how chemistry impinges on topics of social and scientific interest.
Books 1 and 2, Introducing the molecular world, survey the role and scope of chemistry and illustrate its central role in science and its application to diverse areas, from biological systems to new technology.
Book 3, The third dimension, explores the arrangements of atoms in molecules and in different types of solid. The concepts of lattices and unit cells are introduced. Metal structures are discussed in terms of close-packing of spheres, and this is extended to show how simple ionic structures can be built up from close-packed structures. It looks at molecular structures and the stereochemistry of organic molecules.
Book 4, Metals and chemical change, opens with the structure and reactions of metals. The industrial extractions of mercury, tin and aluminium are discussed, and the concept of an activity series of metals is introduced. This idea is also examined quantitatively using thermodynamic concepts. Enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy are discussed, and Born-Haber cycles, lattice energies, and redox potential also play a part in the analysis.
Book 5, Chemical kinetics and mechanism, considers the role of the rate of reaction, and starts with an introduction to chemical kinetics. The rate equations are developed as an activity on a DVD-ROM. It goes on to introduce the functional group concept of a group of atoms within a molecule that display particular chemical properties, and the common reaction mechanisms of organic substitution and elimination reactions are discussed.
Book 6, Molecular modelling and bonding, asks why molecules adopt particular shapes and whether we can predict what shape a molecule will adopt. Atomic and molecular orbitals and band theory are covered. We take a pictorial rather than a purely mathematical approach to quantum mechanics.
Book 7, Alkenes and aromatics, continues the examination of organic reaction mechanisms started in Book 5, with a discussion of addition reactions. This is followed by a detailed look at aromatic substitution reactions. The book ends with a first look at organic synthesis, in which the planning and execution of the synthesis of the drug pseudoephedrine are considered in some detail.
Book 8, Separation, identification and purification, looks at methods for separating and purifying chemical compounds, then discusses the spectroscopic techniques used to determine the nature and structure of a compound. The techniques include mass spectrometry, infrared and Raman spectroscopy and NMR. Vibrational spectroscopy and NMR are taught using DVD-ROM programs.
Book 9, Elements of the p Block, covers the descriptive chemistry of the non-metallic elements, beginning with hydrogen, the halogens, and the noble gases. The book explores trends in the Periodic Table, both down groups and across periods, and uses elements from Groups III–VI: boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, aluminium, silicon, phosphorus and sulfur as illustration. The role of these elements in agriculture, industry, and everyday life is used to illustrate their chemistry.
Book 10, Mechanism and synthesis, pursues possible strategies for synthesising (mainly) organic compounds, particularly those of interest to the pharmaceutical and related industries. You learn how to plan a set of reactions that will lead to a desired product; for example, the compound responsible for the scent of a flower. The importance of overall yield reaction and the cost of starting materials are emphasised.
Finally, Introducing transferable skills, and Book 11, Skills development, introduce you to using the chemical literature and searching the internet. You use papers from the chemical literature to develop skills such as writing articles, preparing overheads, giving short talks and searching databases. Some tasks are based on the theme of ‘green chemistry’, which takes the development of environmentally friendly chemistry as its aim.
Associated residential school
The 10-point residential school course Exploring the molecular world (SXR205) offers tuition and activities that support the academic aims of this course, and it would be particularly appropriate to take both courses. If you want to count S205 towards an Open University chemistry qualification, you will need to include SXR205 as well. If you decide to attend the residential school, you must register for SXR205 separately, for which an additional fee is payable.
Entry
You are expected to have some background knowledge of chemistry, biology, physics and Earth sciences, and you are advised to take our Level 1 science course, Exploring science (S104) before S205. It is essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis on which to tackle the course, since students who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully. The Science Faculty has produced some interactive material Are You Ready For S205? to help you to decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the course, or whether you need extra preparation. This can be viewed as an interactive program for PC or printed as a PDF from the Are you ready for Science? website.
Your regional or national centre will also be able to tell you where you can see reference copies of S104. Even if you have some background scientific knowledge, we advise you to read the chemistry in Book 4 of S104.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
If you would like to do some background reading, these introductory textbooks are very helpful:
P. W. Atkins, L. Jones (4th edition 2000) Chemistry: Molecules, Matter, and Change, W. H. Freeman
Peter Atkins and Loretta Jones, (4th edition 2007), Chemical Principles: The Quest for Insight, W.H.Freeman
J. C. Kotz, P. Treichel, G.C. Weaver, (7th edition 2009) Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity, Saunders College Publishing
Qualifications
This is a compulsory course in our:
It is an optional course in our:
- BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (B16)
- BSc (Honours) Physical Science (B27)
- BSc (Honours) Secondary Education in Physics (B56)
- Diploma in Natural Sciences (D47)
- Diploma in Physical Science (E04)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Analytical Sciences (E53)
- Foundation Degree in Analytical Sciences (G15)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
This course can be studied as part of the ‘2 plus 2’ scheme. The ‘2 plus 2’ scheme allows you to gain your degree by studying two years part-time with the OU followed by two years full-time with one of our partner universities. For more details, please visit the scheme website.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
If you have severely impaired sight or manual dexterity, you may find some parts of the course challenging. You can obtain the voice-over on each DVD-ROM as a text file on the screen. The course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. Written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. The written course material is available in comb-bound format. You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. If you have concerns about taking this course please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for advice. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting your needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, website, DVD-ROMs, molecular model kit.
You will need
Scientific calculator.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Materials to buy
Set books
- Northedge, Andy The Sciences Good Study Guide, Open University £14.99 - ISBN 9780749234119
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with the OU before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above. You must submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2010. We expect it to be available once a year, in October.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
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An undergraduate course in Science.
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Student Reviews
Wow - this is a tough course, but very satisfying to complete. I thought chemistry was about working out molecular ...
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