NES8811 : Contemporary Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Andrew Pike
- Lecturer: Professor Andrew Houlton, Dr Ben Horrocks, Dr Fabio Cucinotta, Dr Keith Izod
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
Semester 1 and 2 – Contemporary Physical Chemistry (24 lectures)
Energetics and Dynamics taught over Semester 1 & 2 - Dr F Cucinotta
1 Molecular photophysics
2 Potential energy surfaces
3 Radiative decay
4 Nonradiative processes
5 Energy-gap law
6 Isomerisation
7-8 Energy transfer
9 Spin restriction
10-11 Marcus theory
12 Revision seminar
Chemical Nanoscience - Dr BR Horrocks
1 Introduction to Chemical Nanoscience
2-3 Electronic structure of solids – tight binding and nearly-free electrons
4-6 Nanoparticles and Quantum dots – properties and synthesis
7 Applications of nanoparticles
8 Conductance in solids
9-10 Nanowires – properties and synthesis
11 Electron and probe microscopy
12 Revision session
Semester 2 Contemporary Inorganic Chemistry (24 lectures)
Comparative Main Group Chemistry (12 lectures) Dr KJ Izod
Complexes of the s-elements: macrocycles and the macrocyclic effect, alkalides and electrides
Organometallics of the electropositive metals: an introduction to electron-deficient compounds
More electron-deficient compounds: boranes and carboranes, Zintl ions
Low oxidation states of the p-block elements (groups 13 and 14)
E=E bonds (groups 14 and 15); synthesis and reactions. Phosphorus (V) ylides and related
compounds
E=E’ bonds – stability, synthesis and reactions
Bioinorganic Chemistry - Professor A Houlton (12 lectures)
An introduction to bioinorganic chemistry; the essential metals, metal ion overload-deficiency and
treatments.
An introduction to metalloproteins. Protein structure, metal ion binding groups, protein function and
role of metal ions.
Myoglobin– protein structure and function, haem group, oxidation and spin states of the metal centre
before and after oxygen coordination
Haemoglobin – protein structure and function, comparison with Mb, the cooperative nature of oxygen
binding in haemoglobin
Metallo-enzymes – details of the structure and function of Zn and Fe-containing systems
Metal ion binding in DNA. Discovery of metal-containing anti-tumour drugs. mode of action, side
effects. Metal-based drugs
Outline Of Syllabus
N/A
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 32 | 0:30 | 16:00 | S1 Lectures PiP |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 32 | 0:30 | 16:00 | S2 Lectures PiP |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 2 | 30:00 | 60:00 | Preparation and completion of online assessed coursework (50% each) |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Online - lecturer will give students relevant reading for module topics throughout the semester |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured non-synchronous discussion | 16 | 0:30 | 8:00 | 2 x 0.30 mins online question session with each lecturer per week |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 86:00 | 86:00 | Independent study |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | module talks with lecturers |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures will provide students with the material required for an understanding of advanced physical and inorganic chemistry. The revision sessions will be used to assist the students with parts of the course that they find more demanding and for providing problems associated with the module.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 180 | 2 | A | 60 | PiP Exam |
| Oral Examination | 15 | 1 | M | 40 | Short viva style interview with module leader |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | N/A |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessment will test students' knowledge and understanding of material covered in the lectures on
Physical and Inorganic chemistry. The assessment will consist of two parts: an oral exam in semester 1 based on semester 1 content, followed by a written exam in semester 2 on the content of both semesters. The Exam will apply for Stage 3 and MSc students.
Practice questions are available on Canvas for students to complete as formative assessment to help gauge understanding of content and progress.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES8811's Timetable