UCL Chemistry

The aims of CHEM1004 are to lay the foundations in the 3 main branches of chemistry for all of the subsequent courses in the Department. The course material is linked to, but extends considerably, A-level chemistry and related courses.

A laboratory course is included to reinforce key skills.

Topics will include:

• Atomic structure and bonding
• Atomic spectroscopy
• Fundamentals of Organic Mechanisms and Stereochemistry
• Interfaces between the sciences.

The aim of this course is to introduce students to gases through the kinetic theory of gases, and to the description and interpretation of chemical systems using quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and thermodynamics.

Topics:

• Kinetic theory of gases.
• Quantum mechanics
• Statistical thermodynamics and thermodynamics

To provide a general understanding of organic chemistry and a knowledge of basic organic reactions. To study the structure, conformation and stereochemistry of organic compounds, their reactions and mechanisms, and thereby to gain an understanding of both the fundamental principles of organic chemistry and a knowledge of the most important functional groups.

Topics:

• Alkanes and Cycloalkanes
• Alkyl Halides
• Alkenes
• Alkynes
• Functional Group Chemistry
• Alcohols
• Ethers and Epoxides
• Aldehydes and Ketones
• Review of the Synthesis of Simple Organic Compounds
• Carboxylic Acids and their Derivatives

The aim of this course is to introduce students key aspects of inorganic chemistry, including solid state structures, the chemistry of phosphorus and hydrogen and transition metal chemistry. The laboratory course provides training and experience in practical aspects of inorganic chemistry, including synthesis, qualitative, IR spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction.

Topics:

• Transition Metals
• Main Groups Chemistry
• Solid State Chemistry
• Hydrogen

The maths department offers two half unit courses for those with mathematics A-level. The first is compulsory for chemistry students and we strong advise students to take both available.

Both focus on calculus methods which will be key in physical chemistry courses.

The chemistry department teaches a full unit of mathematics focussing on those areas of A-level Maths and Further Maths courses that are of direct relevance to chemistry.

Topics

• Quantitative Chemistry
• Fundamentals of Algebra
  
• Calculus of functions with one variable
• Statistics and data analysis
• Complex number and matrices
  
• Advanced calculus
  

Further units are taken to take the total number of units taken to 4.0. Many unit are available -  the ones listed are those typically taken by chemistry students but others may also be available.  

The aims of this course are to develop further quantum mechanics and thermodynamics and to extend the material of CHEM1301 to spectroscopy, kinetics, and electrochemistry.

A laboratory course support the lecture material developing advanced analysis methods.

Topics

• Quantum Mechanics
• Thermodynamics
• Kinetics, photochemistry and atmospheric chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Solutions and Electrolyte solutions

The course provides an essential understanding of organic chemistry.

Topics:

• structure elucidation by spectroscopic means;
• electronic structure and reactivity of carbonyl compounds;
• synthesis and reactivity of simple molecules;
• basic retrosynthetic analysis;
• the use of phosphorous, sulfur, boron and silicon reagents in organic synthesis;
• essential chemistry of heteroaromatic compounds.

To expand upon the concepts and supporting factual material introduced in first year inorganic chemistry (courses CHEM1004 and CHEM1101) and to explore the varied aspects of main group and transition metal chemistry.

Topics:

• Principles and Applications of Group Theory
• Pre- and post-transition metal chemistry
• Structure, electronics and bonding in the d-block transition metals
• Chemistry of the p-block elements

The aim of this course is to teach students the fundamentals of modern chemical dynamics and modern experimental methods in chemical physics.

Topics:

• Photochemistry and photophysics
• Reaction dynamics
• Lasers and laser techniques
  

The course will outline how technologically important properties of materials arise from the bonding and structure on the one hand and the presence of point, line, planar and volume defects on the other.

Topics:

• Overview of the Material World
• Structure Electronic & Magnetic Properties of Materials
• Organic Polymers

The aims of this course are to give students a better insight into the methods by which organic reaction mechanisms are studied, as well as to broaden their knowledge of reaction mechanisms in both enzymic and non-enzymic systems.

Topics:

• Organic mechanisms
  
• Enzyme mechanisms
  

Further units are taken to take the total number of units taken to 4.0. Students can continue with themes developed in the first year or take others at an appropriate level. Examples of units include:

See Year 1 options for subject areas.

The course will show:

• how the measurement of molecular quantities via spectroscopy can provide the necessary data for the calculation of macroscopic quantities via statistical mechanics
• how statistical mechanics can be used to determine important quantities such as equilibrium constants the importance of stability in thermodynamics
• how a detailed description of the structure and reactivity of surfaces can be developed.

Topics:

• Spectroscopy and Kinetics
• Advanced thermodynamics and statistical mechanics
• Principles of Surface Science
• Electron transfer in solutions and at electrodes

The aim of this course is to provide a thorough knowledge and understanding of reactions which are the basis of organic synthesis. Emphasis will be placed not only on the mechanistic and stereoelectronic features of such reactions but also on the way in which they are utilised in target synthesis. 

Topics:

• Aromatic Heterocyclic Chemistry
• Stereoelectronic Control and Natural Product Synthesis
• Stereoelectronic Control and Natural Product Synthesis

Aims

To introduce and discuss four important and diverse areas of inorganic chemistry. To lay the theoretical and practical foundations for advanced courses in some of these areas taken later. To encourage students to investigate these topics by reading beyond the lecture material.

Topics:

• Lanthanides and Actinides
• Advanced Inorganic Materials Chemistry Processes and Applications
• Organometallic Chemistry
• Chemistry of Complex Solids

Advanced practical skills are developed through a series of experimental modules.

MSci students (1 unit) do 3 laboratory or computing modules and a further module which involves group work and an oral presentation on a special topic.

BSc students (0.5 unit) do 2 laboratory or computing modules and a further module which involves group work and an oral presentation on a special topic.

Modules include:

Core for MSci Students, option for BSc students

Aims

The student will write a review of a current research area in chemistry of up to 10,000 words or 40 pages, containing at least 50 substantive references to primary scientific literature.

Objectives

The student will learn to find all the latest research literature on a topic, using various bibliographic techniques. The student will develop a firm understanding of a specific topic, and critically evaluate research progress in the area. The student will learn to write a coherent and full review, that is scientifically correct and communicates their understanding.

Students take a further chemistry options.

BSc: At least two half units (up to four)
MSci: Either one or two half units

Many of these options are offered during the third and fourth year.

Current units offered:

Further units are taken to take the total number of units taken to 4.0. Students can take with options outside of chemistry already developed in previous years,  or in new field, at an appropriate level. Students can of course, take further chemistry options!

See Year 1 options for subject areas outside chemistry.

The course involves two terms' research under the direct supervision of one or, in some cases, two members of the academic staff.

Note that students on the MSci degree programme Chemistry with a European Language will carry out their Research Project during their fourth year which will be spent at a European University and the arrangements specific to these students are given separately.

Experimental work starts in the second week of the first term and be completed three weeks from the end of the second term. The total time available is therefore 1 week for reading and preparation, 19 weeks for experimental work and 3 weeks to produce a final report. An average of about 22 hours a week should be devoted to the project, including reading, writing and discussions, giving a total load of about 500 hours. 

Assessment is through the supervisor's observation, a project report, an oral examination and a presentation.

Students take a further chemistry options.

Current units offered:

A final option outside of chemistry may be taken or an additional course in chemistry.

See Year 1 options for subject areas outside chemistry.