Basics of chemistry

Kurssilla ei ole pakollisia esitietoja.

The structure of the atom and the periodic table:
The student is able to

• describe the basic structure of an atom

• apply the electron structure of an atom to find its place in the periodic table
  

• deduce properties of an element (atomic radius, ionic radius, electronegativity, ionization energy) based on the element's electronic structure and the periodic table

The amount of substance and chemical reactions:
The student is able to

• write a balanced reaction equation

• apply a balanced reaction equation in simple stoichiometric calculations

Chemical bonds:
The student is able to

• describe the properties of the common chemical bond types and when they occur (covalent bonds, ionic bonds, metallic bonds, hydrogen bonds, ion-dipole bonds, dipole-dipole bonds, dispersion forces)

Chemical equilibrium:
The student is able to

• apply the concept of chemical equilibrium in simple calculations (gases, acid-base, solubility)

• explain with the help of the Le Chatelier principle how the equilibrium changes when it is disturbed
  

• define the concepts "acid" and "base"

• apply concepts related to acid-base equilibria such as pH, pOH, pKa and pKw in calculations
  

Thermodynamics:
The student is

• familiar with the basic concepts of thermodynamics (enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy) and is able to apply these in simple calculations
  

Kinetics:
The student is

• familiar with the difference between kinetics and thermodynamics
  

• familiar with different rate laws and is able to apply the 1. order rate law and half-life in simple calculations
  

• able to apply the Arrhenius equation in simple calculations
  

Gases:
The student is

• familiar with the basic properties of gases

• able to apply the ideal gas law in calculations
  

Electrochemistry:
The student is able to

• balance a redox reaction equation
  

• explain how a galvanic cell is formed and how it operates and to calculate its cell voltage
  

• apply the standard reduction potential table and the galvanic series in connection with redox reactions
  

Organic compounds:
The student is able to

• name common organic compounds
  

• recognize common functional groups and their reactions
  

• recognize the hybridization of carbon (sp³, sp², sp) and understands how these affect molecular geometry
  

• recognize different types of isomerism
  

• deduce the nature of an organic compound (polar or non-polar) based on the functional groups and molecular shape
  

General skills:
The student is able to

• organize their own work and plan ahead
  

The course material is provided on the Moodle-platform as a Moodle-book and Moodle-lesson activities.

Target group

Optional for the study track Kemia, perusopinnot (KEK150, AYKEK150) and Kemia, opintokokonaisuus (KEK155).

The course is not suitable for exchange students lacking fluent Finnish or Swedish skills (the corresponding Swedish course is KEK180 Kemins grunder).

The course cannot be included in the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry study track. The language of the course is Finnish.

Timing

The course is recommended as the first chemistry course for students not studying in the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry study track.

Arranged every year in the first period of the fall semester.

Activities and teaching methods in support of learning

The Moodle-platform provides material to help students study independently. Voluntary contact sessions are a place for additional help and guidance. The Moodle-message boards are also used for questions and tutoring.

Assessment practices and criteria

The course grade (0-5) is based on weekly exercises (a total of 6), self-assessment throughout the course, and two exams.

Completion

The course is divided into 6 packages, each taking up one week. During September, the first 3 packages are completed, followed by an exam. In October, the remaining 3 packages are studied, again followed by an exam. During the weeks, students study the given material in Moodle in their own pace and complete a set of exercises related to the topic of the week.

Alternatively, the course can be completed with a single exam in the exam system Examinarium. Instructions for this can be found in Moodle.

Other information

Any questions related to the course can be send to Miia Mäntymäki (miia.mantymaki@helsinki.fi).

Responsible person

Miia Mäntymäki

Maarit Lahtinen