Organic and Analytical Chemistry (6 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

After completing this course, student knows the different groups of hydrocarbons, compounds with functional groups, large molecular compounds of biological importance – their properties, naming and roles. Understands the mechanisms of environmental pollution and knows the main pollutants of air, water and soil. Understands the fundamentals of qualitative, quantitative and instrumental analysis, is familiar with volumetric and some instrumental analytical methods and can apply them in practice.

Content (course unit)

Hydrocarbons; organic compounds with functional groups; organic pollutants; volumetric analysis; spectroscopy; chromatography.

Prerequisites (course unit)

In order to be able to follow this course, the students should have completed Basic Chemistry and Basics of Environmental Chemistry and Measurements (or equivalent courses taken in another higher education institute).

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

Overall the achieved competence is sufficient but narrow. Student shows throughout the course that is familiar with the basic concepts and phenomena related to the subjects discussed during the course: main classes of hydrocarbons and functional compounds, main classes of (organic) pollutants and environmental processes.

Can solve model exercises correctly. Can perform volumetric, instrumental and simple microbiological analyses of soil samples or various water samples under supervision and has basic skills in reporting the results of the analysis. Overall knows the courses of action but cannot justify his/her choices. Completion of the tasks is based on routine and pre-learned performance.

Student can give and receive feedback, and considers and assesses things from his/her viewpoint. Student can work in a group and recognizes his/her interaction skills. Student takes responsibility for his/her own work

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

Overall the achieved competence is structural. Student shows throughout the course that is fluent in the basic concepts and phenomena related to the subjects discussed during the course: main classes of hydrocarbons and functional compounds, main classes of (organic) pollutants and environmental processes.

Can solve model excercises and new exercises correctly, based on given models is able to write chemical reactions of the organic compounds correctly. Can perform volumetric, instrumental and simple microbiological analyses of soil samples or various water samples independently. The reporting of the laboratory results shows that the student attends to apply the theoretical knowledge in explaining the results. Overall student is able to select appropriate course of action from diverse options, can make plans and apply his/her knowledge when solving problems and can justify the choices.

Student can give and receive constructive feedback and considers and assesses things both from his/her and the close community's viewpoint. Cooperates and is ready to develop his/her interaction skills. Student recognizes and follows the important courses of action in the field. Student takes responsibility and commits to the group activities in addition to his/her own work.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

Overall the achieved competence is wide. Student shows throughout the course that is fluent in the basic concepts and phenomena related to the subjects discussed during the course: main classes of hydrocarbons and functional compounds, main classes of (organic) pollutants and environmental processes. Can solve model exercise and new exercises correctly, shows creativity in solving tasks, is able to write chemical reactions of the organic compounds correctly and independently. Can perform volumetric, instrumental and simple microbiological analyses of soil samples or various water samples independently.

Understands the background of the analytical method and the reporting of the results of the analysis shows that the student can apply the theoretical knowledge in explaining the results and can think about alternative solutions. Overall student is able to search for diverse courses of action and solution alternatives, justify his/her choices, try new courses of action and assess diverse solution alternatives.

Student uses feedback systematically as a professional growth tool in his/her own work and the community. Can cooperate responsibly, flexibly and constructively, and develops his/her own and the group's interaction. Student takes responsibility and commits to the group activities in addition to his/her own work.

Exam schedules

Two partial exams: one in the middle and the second at the end of the course. Retakes will be agreed later.

Assessment methods and criteria

Grading scale is 0-5. The course grade will form according to the points collected as follows:
- short assignments containing the home exercises which are given weekly: max. 20 points
-group task, max.10 points
-6 compulsory laboratory exercises and related reporting: max.30 points
-Exam ( given in two parts): max. 20 +20 = 40 points
Grading: grade 0: 0-29 points; grade 1: 30-44 points; grade 2: 45-59 points; grade 3:60-74 points; grade 4: 75-89 points; grade 5: 90-100 points.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Contact teaching, exercises,group work, self study, assignments, laboratory exercises, reporting, exam

Learning materials

Handouts ( and exercises) and additional material posted in Tabula.

Student workload

Contact lessons and discussions 30 h
Laboratory exercises 34 h
Exams and feedback 5h
Self-study 87 h
Total 156 h

Content scheduling

Hydrocarbons, functional compounds (alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, esthers, amines, amides, halogenated compounds), biochemistry (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids). Overview of the most important environmental pollutants. Overview of chemical processes in the environment. Volumetry, chromatography, atomic absorbtion spectroscopy, indicator microorganisms and related laboratory exercises.

Further information

Learning goals
-to know the different groups of hydrocarbons, compounds with functional groups, large molecular compounds of biological importance – their properties, naming and roles
-to understand the mechanisms of environmental pollution and to know the main pollutants of air, water and soil
-to understand the fundamentals of qualitative, quantitative and instrumental analysis
-to be familiar with volumetric and some instrumental analytical methods and to apply them in practice

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student participated in the laboratory work and did the laboratory reports. Student participated in the exam.
Overall the achieved competence is insufficient. Student shows throughout the course (assignments, classroom discussions, laboratory exercises and exam) that:
-is not familiar with the basic concepts and phenomena related to the subjects discussed during the course: main classes of hydrocarbons and functional compounds, main classes of (organic) pollutants and environmental processes
-cannot solve model exercises correctly
-can perform volumetric, instrumental and simple microbiological analyses of soil samples or various water samples under supervision
-has basic skills in reporting the results of the analysis

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student participated in the laboratory work and did the laboratory reports. Student participated in the exam.
Overall the achieved competence is sufficient but narrow. Student shows throughout the course (assignments, classroom discussions, laboratory exercises and exam) that:
-is familiar with the basic concepts and phenomena related to the subjects discussed during the course: main classes of hydrocarbons and functional compounds, main classes of (organic) pollutants and environmental processes
- can solve model exercises correctly
-can perform volumetric, instrumental and simple microbiological analyses of soil samples or various water samples under supervision
-has basic skills in reporting the results of the analysis

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student participated in the laboratory work and did the laboratory reports. Student participated in the exam.
Overall the achieved competence is structural. Student shows throughout the course (assignments, classroom discussions, laboratory exercises and exam) that:
-is fluent in the basic concepts and phenomena related to the subjects discussed during the course: main classes of hydrocarbons and functional compounds, main classes of (organic) pollutants and environmental processes
-can solve model exercise and new exercises correctly, based on given models is able to write chemical reactions of the organic compounds correctly (oxidation, reduction, addition, esterification, peptide formation….)
-can perform volumetric, instrumental and simple microbiological analyses of soil samples or various water samples independently
-the reporting of the laboratory results shows that the student attends to apply the theoretical knowledge in explaining the results
-student is clearly motivated and interested in the subjects discussed

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student participated in the laboratory work and did the laboratory reports. Student participated in the exam.
Overall the achieved competence is wide. Student shows throughout the course (assignments, classroom discussions, laboratory exercises and exam) that:
-is fluent in the basic concepts and phenomena related to the subjects discussed during the course: main classes of hydrocarbons and functional compounds, main classes of (organic) pollutants and environmental processes
-can solve model exercise and new exercises correctly, shows creativity in solving tasks, is able to write chemical reactions of the organic compounds correctly (oxidation, reduction, addition, esterification, peptide formation….) independently
-can perform volumetric, instrumental and simple microbiological analyses of soil samples or various water samples independently
-understands the background of the analytical method
-the reporting of the laboratory results shows that the student can apply the theoretical knowledge in explaining the results
-student is clearly motivated and interested in the subjects discussed, eventually brings up new subjects of interest