Duration
24h Th, 24h Mon. WS
Number of credits
| Bachelor in veterinary medicine | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
In this course, you will discover what lies behind "Organic Chemistry"!
Essential to life, organic chemistry is involved in many biological processes, from energy production within cells to the mechanisms of action of drugs. Understanding the logic of organic chemistry and knowing how to apply it provides the foundations needed to understand biochemistry and many phenomena occurring in living organisms; all very valuable skills for a future veterinarian!
This course, and in particular the chapter on structural analysis, will also provide a first introduction to the scientific approach: formulating hypotheses, making observations, collecting and interpreting results, and drawing conclusions. An approach that is remarkably similar to that of a medical diagnosis.
The course will follow a logical progression, from discovering organic molecules and understanding their behaviour to studying them in the context of living organisms:
1. Discovering and representing organic molecules
(I. What is organic chemistry? - II. Isomerism)
Terminology, molecular representations, and the importance of molecular structure and three-dimensional arrangement.
2. Understanding how molecules react
(III. Fundamentals of reactivity - IV. Alkenes and alkynes - V. Aromatic rings - VI. Substitution and elimination reactions)
How and why do molecules react with one another? What products can be formed?
3. Exploring the reactivity of the main functional groups
(VII. Alcohols and amines - VIII. Carbonyl compounds)
Understanding the behaviour of oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups and the transformations they can undergo.
4. Organic chemistry at the service of life
(IX. Introduction to the chemistry of biomolecules)
A brief introduction to biomolecules and the connection between this organic chemistry course and the upcoming biochemistry course.
5. Identifying and analysing organic molecules
(X. Structural analysis)
Using different spectroscopic techniques to determine the structure of organic molecules and interpret experimental results.
Each chapter will be illustrated with numerous examples and exercises, as practical and relevant as possible to veterinary medicine, in order to progressively give meaning to the concepts being studied.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify and represent the main structures and functional groups of organic molecules.
- Recognise and explain the main types of isomerism and the influence of the three-dimensional structure of molecules.
- Understand and predict the main reactions involving the organic functional groups studied.
- Relate organic chemistry concepts to major biomolecules and their roles in living organisms.
- Determine or propose a molecular structure from basic spectroscopic data (IR, NMR and mass spectrometry).
- Apply an elementary scientific approach to analyse experimental data, formulate hypotheses and draw conclusions.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The course CHIM9390-1 is a prerequis.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The organic chemistry course is divided into two components:
The first is a theoretical component, delivered by the professor in a lecture hall to all students simultaneously, in bi-weekly approx. 2-hour sessions. Attendance is not-mandatory. Students who choose to attend the lectures are expected to comply with the basic rules of punctuality, silence, and respect. I am very pleased to see you in the lecture hall. However, you should not come simply to please me... You may prefer to study the material independently and quietly at home, using my slides in conjunction with the recommended reference books. I respect this choice.
The second component consists of tutorial sessions (TDs or exercise classes) led by teaching assistants, in sessions of approximately 2 hours and organized into student groups. Each student must attend the group to which they have been assigned; switching groups is not permitted. Attendance at these exercise sessions is essential for proper preparation for the examinations. During these sessions, students are expected to comply with the basic rules of punctuality, silence, and respect. This therefore excludes unnecessary coming and going during the exercise sessions.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Further information:
The Organic Chemistry teaching is primarily conducted in person. A detailed schedule of the theoretical lectures, tutorial sessions, and remedial sessions will be available on myULiège when classes resume. This schedule may change, so students are advised to check it regularly for updates.
The course slides and podcasts will be made available on eCampus progressively as the sessions advance.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The course slides and podcasts will be made available on eCampus progressively as the sessions advance.
The book used as basis for this lecture is: Paula Yurkanis Bruice, Chimie Organique, 2ème Ed., 2012, ISBN 978-2-7613-4994-9
A grouped purchase of the book is organized at the begining of the year to get a discount; please note that buying the book is not mandatory. Exercices will be posted on eCampus before each session.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
Further information:
The assessment for this course is based exclusively on a written examination consisting of a multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ) using the SGI "+1, 0, 0" scoring system, together with two open-ended questions. The examination covers both the concepts addressed during the theoretical lectures and the knowledge acquired during the tutorial sessions (TDs).
Students must bring their ULiège student card and identity card to all examinations. Failure to present these documents may result in refusal of access to the examination.
Chemistry examinations are governed by the University regulations, which are available on the website of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Assessment schedule
There are no formative assessments during the academic year. Only summative assessments are conducted. The summative assessments follow the academic calendar, with a first examination session in June and a second examination session held between the end of August and the beginning of September.
Exemptions between academic years
A full exemption from the examination is possible for grades equal to or higher than 10.00/20.
Examination conditions
Please refer to the University regulations. Students whose mother tongue is not French are permitted to use a dictionary during examinations, provided that they have requested prior authorization from the professor. Programmable calculators are prohibited during examinations. Only basic calculators are permitted. A systematic check will be carried out during examinations.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Useful web site :
www.fmv.ulg.ac.be
Contacts
Prof Thibault Gendron, t.gendron@uliege.be
Bât. B30 Centre de Recherche du Cyclotron
Quartier Agora
allée du Six Août 8
4000 Liège 1
Notez que mon bureau est situé dans une zone à accès contrôlé et restreint. Il ne vous sera donc pas possible de venir spontanément. Merci de m'envoyer un email avec votre question, j'y répondrai sous 72 heures au plus, et, si nécessaire, j'organiserai une rencontre pour discuter du sujet de vive voix.
Assistant TDs :
Mme Armélinda Agnello : a.agnello@uliege.be
Remédiatrice :
Mme Cathy Roger : croger@uliege.be
ATTENTION :
- Only use your ULg (XXX@student.uliege.be) e-mail adress for contacting the team
- Title « Etudiant 1BMV... » your e-mails
- Be brief and clear...