General and mineral chemistry preparatory to pharmaceutical sciences, Part I

Duration

30h Th, 16h Pr, 14h QA Sess.

Number of credits

Lecturer

Rudi Cloots

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The general chemistry course devotes significant time to the experimental approach to chemistry. We are convinced that students will be more receptive to chemistry when it is described in a practical manner, by focussing on its resulting application. The programme proposed is intentionally limited to basic concepts to ensure that students acquire a solid foundation in the subject matter.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

General chemistry teaching aims from the first quarter to give students from pharmaceutical science, the basic theoretical and practical concepts in thermodynamics, kinetics, atomistics and solution chemistry (reactivity). These concepts are necessary in order to understand the phenomena studied in later parts of the curriculum. Theoretical classes, practical work and tutorials allow students to learn the methods and basic techniques of solution chemistry while familiarising them with the formulae of the most recent chemical products and with stoichiometric calculations. The programme is divided into nine distinct chapters: 1) atoms and molecules, 2) concept of reactivity, 3) chemical kinetics and reaction mechanisms, 4) chemical balances, 5) ionic balances, 6) thermochemistry, 7) oxido-reduction, 8) chemical bonding, and 9) basic elements of organic chemistry.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

For the entire course, the student is assumed to have very basic understanding of chemistry and in particular, to have knowledge of the basics of atomic and molecular theory as well as the elemental properties of the main types of chemical compounds (oxides, acids, bases and salts) and their principal reactions. These concepts will, however, be revised early on in the course. This course also makes use of a range of simple physical and mathematical tools.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Four practical lab sessions are scheduled for the first part of the academic year. They are compulsory and are graded. They illustrate significant concepts of reactivity in solution. A calendar will be distributed to students at the beginning of the academic year. Students are required to wear lab coats.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Each student will receive a personalised programme (log book) at the start of the year summarising all the information relating to the organisation of chemistry teaching (theory classes, practical sessions, revision, tutorials, tests). The theory classes will take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 08:45 and 10:15.

Recommended or required readings

Presentations of the course are available to students on e-campus. Two reference books are recommended: "General Chemistry" and "Chemistry of Solutions" by Petrucci and Hill. Laboratory, exercise notes, summary tables and a form are also available. Students may have the form for all exams and interrogations.

Assessment methods and criteria

Assessment is carried out through three exempting written tests (problem-based questions) and a theory examination covering all the material from the first quarter and an exam for non-exempted students. The overall grade is an average of the results obtained during the exams (theory: 50%, exercises: 33%) and the practical work sessions (17%) during the first quarter.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

All organizational information is included on the e-campus platform of the course (PPT presentations, exam results ...).

Contacts

Prof. Rudi CLOOTS
 
LCIS - GreenMAT
Quartier Agora
allée du six Août 13 (Bât. B6a)
B-4000 Liège
 
Tél. : 04/366.34.36
Fax : 04/366.34.13
E-mail: rcloots@ulg.ac.be
 
Encadrement scientifique : Morgane Valentin, Assistante
 
LCIS - GreenMAT
Quartier Agora
allée du six Août 13 (Bât. B6a)
B-4000 Liège

Tél. : 04/366.35.33
E-mail : morgane.valentin@ulg.ac.be 

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