Introduction to Chemistry

Full course description

The emphasis of this course will be on a number of essential topics in modern chemistry. The first part of the course will provide an overview of the structure of atoms and their place in the periodic table as well as the properties of various types of chemical bonds and chemical bonding theory. The second part will present an introduction to physical chemistry with important topics such as the characteristics of gases/liquids/solids, thermodynamics and reaction kinetics. In the final part, the course focuses on a selection of important chemical subjects which form the basis of chemical studies in general. Typical topics in this part of the course are based on acid-base chemistry and electrochemistry.

Course objectives

To gain an understanding of the nature of atoms and their organization in the periodic table;
To recognize various classes of chemical compounds and to understand their chemical and physical properties;
To obtain an understanding of the physical chemistry fundamentally important to biological and chemical processes, with an emphasis on thermodynamics and kinetics;
To use concepts acquired from kinetics, thermodynamics, acid-base chemistry, and electrochemistry, to predict the potential outcome of chemical reactions;
To acquire sufficient background for more advanced courses in chemistry, biochemistry and the life sciences.

Prerequisites

None

Co-requisites

PRA1101 (only in Period 1)

Corequisites

Introduction to Scientific Research I

Introduction to Chemistry