This module provides practice in essential aspects of laboratory chemistry, associated mathematical concepts, communication and study skills.

1. recognise and name basic types of chemical apparatus, and understand when and how they are used;
2. represent chemical process by formulae and balanced equations;
3. use correctly units and dimensions for range of physical quantities;
4. understand types of titration techniques and know when each should be used;
5. use the principles of chemical equilibria to explain experimental observations;
6. deduce and analyse unseen redox equations;
7. understand the concepts of precision and accuracy;
8. understand the origin of common formulae based on their derivation from the application of mathematics to a set of assumptions and boundary conditions.

22 2-hour lectures/workshops, 4 half-hour tutorials, 2 1-hour sessions of oral presentations

On completion of this module, a student will be able to:

1. show an understanding of quantitative information, and use notations and symbols correctly;
2. carry out calculations involving concentration, purity or chemical equilibrium;
3. apply abstract mathematical concepts to practical problems in chemistry;
4. use word processing and spreadsheet software;
5. demonstrate basic written and oral presentation skills;
6. use common laboratory equipment appropriately and safely;
7. use standard formats for reporting experimental work.

Achievement of most of the learning outcomes will be assessed by a series of workshops, consisting of short class tests. In addition students will prepare a CV, and give two oral presentations.

General Laboratory Methods

Use of general laboratory equipment and safety considerations.

COSHH and risk assessment forms.

Units and dimensions.

Terminology of methods and techniques in quantitative manipulations.

The mole and stoichiometry.

Preparation of solutions of a given concentration.

Balancing unseen half equations and redox equations.

Titration techniques and purpose of analysis.

The nature and use of buffer solutions and indicators.

Precision and accuracy.

Significant figures, errors and their propagation.

Qualitative analysis and tests for common ions.

Mathematical Methods

Logarithms and relationship to exponents (e^X and 10^X): illustrated with Arrhenius equation and pK_a.

Geometry: Measuring distances and angles from vectors.

Matrices for vector transformations.

Illustrated with crystal structure data, and molecular structures.

Calculus: Differentiation of common functions and their products.

Maxima and minima of functions: illustrated with atomic orbital functions and maximising production of a chemical intermediate.

Integration of common functions, use of limits.

First order differential equations: illustrated with rate equations.

Second order differential equations, solution by trial function and use of boundary conditions.

Statistics: Permutations and Combinations, distributions (Normal and Maxwell Boltzmann), taking averages and moments of distributions.

Communication and Study Skills

CV writing

Essay writing

Preparation of laboratory reports

Information retrieval

Use of scientific software (inc. drawing packages)

Oral presentation techniques

An indicative reading list will be included in the Course Handbook.