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 introductory lectures on cell physiology deal with the movement of solute across cell membranes, membrane and action potentials and the special properties of excitable tissues. The principle organ systems are then covered conventionally: circulation, respiration, the gastro-intestinal tract, the nervous system, endocrines and the kidney. A set of practicals and self-instructional sessions with practical elements running on most Thursday afternoons. 

Biochemistry 1001 provides a general introduction to cell biology, nucleic acids, protein structure, metabolic biochemistry, cell physiology, cell signalling, and immunology. It is a pre-requisite for several second year courses.

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 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

An intermediate course designed to provide students who have a primary interest in Medicinal Chemistry and Biochemistry with a more detailed knowledge of Physical Chemistry applied to aqueous solutions. Successful students should

• understand the basic concepts of thermodynamics as applied to aqueous solutions, especially activities and the use of thermodynamic tables.
• be able to apply these to some simple systems including macromolecule solutions.
• understand important concepts in equilibrium electrochemistry and the application of these in chemical and biochemical situations.
• understand the concepts of mobility and conductance and the determination of transport properties in solution.
• understand basic spectroscopic concepts as applied to species in solution and be able to choose between various spectroscopic techniques for monitoring species in solution.

Biochemistry 1001 provides a general introduction to cell biology, nucleic acids, protein structure, metabolic biochemistry, cell physiology, cell signalling, and immunology. It is a pre-requisite for several second year courses.

An introduction to the statistical methods required in life sciences.

The introductory lectures on cell physiology deal with the movement of solute across cell membranes, membrane and action potentials and the special properties of excitable tissues. The principle organ systems are then covered conventionally: circulation, respiration, the gastro-intestinal tract, the nervous system, endocrines and the kidney. A set of practicals and self-instructional sessions with practical elements running on most Thursday afternoons. 

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.

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:

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

The primary aim of the course is to give students the ability to understand organic reactions and to interpret these in mechanistic terms, to a point where they can apply this knowledge in a creative way.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand some important types of organic reactions in terms of the underlying mechanistic principles involved.
• Predict the outcome of reactions involving highly reactive intermediates.

The central aim of the course is to impart an understanding of what medicinal chemists have to think about when attempting to design new drugs. The course will describe the principles involved in modern drug design and discovery and, throughout, principles will be emphasised by reference to compounds in current clinical usage. Topics to be covered will include:

• An introduction to the basis of drug development, molecular size, shape and charge in drug action, quantitative structure-activity relationships and drug design
  
• Antibacterial and antifungal chemotherapy
• Enzyme inhibitors as drugs
  
• Antiviral and anticancer chemotherapy

In addition, there will be a series of lectures given by speakers from the pharmaceutical industry. The material in these lectures will also be examinable; however, there will not be a separate question on the exam paper specifically for these lectures.

The introductory lectures on cell physiology deal with the movement of solute across cell membranes, membrane and action potentials and the special properties of excitable tissues. The principle organ systems are then covered conventionally: circulation, respiration, the gastro-intestinal tract, the nervous system, endocrines and the kidney. A set of practicals and self-instructional sessions with practical elements running on most Thursday afternoons. 

Students take one of the above courses.

Receptor Mechanisms

This course is about the mechanisms involved in the generation of a response following receptor activation, either by a natural hormone or neurotransmitter or by drug action, and how drugs may interfere with receptor-mediated responses. Mechanisms involving ligand-gated ion channels, voltage-dependent calcium channels and potassium channels, G-proteins, second messengers (e.g. inositol phosphates, diacylglycerol) and cellular kinases and phosphatases are then considered in detail, together with the role of calcium. A final section draws these themes together by examining integrated cell responses such as the control of the release of insulin from the pancreas. The course material is supplemented by group presentations and discussion of selected research papers related to the core lectures and by the preparation of an essay by each student.

Drug Design & Development

This course is taught by the Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology and is about the discovery of new drugs. Students will consider the ways of identifying novel compounds for development and the processes which take place before such compounds are released onto the market following its introduction into clinical practice. The course includes an opportunity for project work on the development of a specific drug, a practical class on the effects of drugs on gastric secretion in human volunteers, seminars on ethics committee operation and on drug licensing and a one-day visit to the drug industry.

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. Some may be unavailable due to course structure of Medicinal Chemistry (e.g. Topics in Quantum Chemistry)

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.