FACULTY OF MEDICINE

MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Chemistry

SYLLABUS AND DETAILED COURSE GUIDE

Part 1: Course Description and Resources

Lecturer/Facilitator:
Office:
Office Hours:
Office Telephone:
Lecturer’s E-mail:
Course Description

The course enables students to develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for, chemistry as
well as impart the essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of chemistry
and how they relate to each other. The course introduces students to the fundamental
principles of chemistry, including chemical stoichiometry; the properties of gases, liquids,
and solids; solutions; chemical equilibria; atomic and molecular structure; an introduction
to thermodynamics; reaction kinetics; and a discussion of the chemical properties of
selected compounds and organic chemistry.

Prerequisites
O-level Chemistry

 Required Books and Articles

E-book Steven S. Zumdahl and Susan A. Zumdahl Chemistry 8th edition © 2010 Brooks Cole, a
part of Cengage Learning USA

Course Delivery
The Cavendish (Zambia) MSF Programme applies an innovative curriculum model that aims to
promote student-centred, self-directed, continuous and clinically-relevant learning. It also aims to
promote use of ICT resources in all its teaching learning approaches: Small group teaching,
seminars, and practicum. Lectures & web/ICT learning.

Part 2: Student Learning Outcomes

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 General Learning Outcomes for employability:

1. Write summaries (in own words) of concepts learned in the course

2. Design and make Excel and PowerPoint presentations of concepts learned

3. Apply new knowledge to solving problems in groups

4. Demonstrate use of online resources in problem solving

5. Apply critical thinking skills by asking questions and demanding evidence (5Ws and
1H: what, when, where, who, why, how)

Specific Learning Outcomes for this course or module:

On successful completion of the module the student should be able to:

1. Use theories, models and ideas to develop and modify scientific explanations.

2. Write basic chemical formulae, and equations.

3. Calculate chemical quantities.

WEEK 1:

1. Topic: Units and dimension analysis

 Units of measurement
 Uncertainty in measurements
 Significant figures and calculations
 Dimension analysis

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 34-52

Free online videos: Dimension Analysis; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ3J60GYo6U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2JCZDeLGF4

Problem sets for week: tutorial sheet 1

WEEK 2:

Topic: Stoichiometry
 Naming simple compounds
 The atom; composition, isotopes, isotopic abundance
 Molar mass

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 86-96, 108-119

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Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CfSyGd5Ry4

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 2

WEEK 3:

Topic: Stoichiometry
 The mole concept
 Percent composition of compounds
 Empirical and molecular formulae
 Balancing chemical equations

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 119-150

Free online videos: Limiting reactant and percentage yield

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdVP9VsTOIU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZOVR8EMwRU

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 2 plus Assignment 1

WEEK 4:

Topic: Stoichiometry
 The concept of the limiting reactant
 Percentage yield
Topic: Solution Stoichiometry
 Composition of solutions
 Reduction-Oxidation reactions; assigning oxidation numbers, balancing redox reactions
in basic and, acidic media

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 164-190

Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdVP9VsTOIU

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 3

WEEK 5:

Topic: Solution Stoichiometry

 Acids and bases; Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry and Lewis theories for acids and bases
 Acid-Base titrations
 Precipitation reactions

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 190-214

Free online videos:

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Problem sets: Tutorial 4/ Quiz 1

WEEK 6: 1ST CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TEST (CAT 1) 5% stoichiometry and

the mole concept.

WEEK 7:

Topic: Gases
 Pressure
 Gas laws; Charles, Boyles’, Avogadro’s, pressure-temperature law
 Ideal gas law

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 216-229

Free online videos:

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 5

WEEK 8:

Topic: Gases
 Gas stoichiometry
 Dalton’s law of partial pressure
 Graham’s Laws of effusion and diffusion

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 230-250

Free online videos:

Problem sets: Tutorial sheet 6/ Assignment 2

WEEK 9:

Topic: Atomic Structure

 Electromagnetic radiation; nature of radiation (wave-particle duality), photoelectric effect
 Bohr’s model and the spectrum for hydrogen
 Rydberg’s equation
 De Broglie wavelength
 Quantum numbers

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 322-336

Free online videos: quantum numbers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP35NuspGlk&spfreload=10

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 7

WEEK 10:

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Topic: Atomic Structure
 Electron configurations; Aufbau’s, Hund’s and, Pauli’s Exclusion Principle(s)
 Paramagnetism and diamagnetism
 Periodic trends in atomic properties; ionisation energy, electron affinity, atomic radius
and electronegativity

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 339-361

Free online videos: electron configurations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqWL0WMtlYk

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 8/ Quiz 2

WEEK 11: 2ND CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TEST (CAT 2) 5% Gases and atomic
structure

WEEK 12:

Topic: Chemical Bonding

 General concepts in chemical bonding
 Ionic and covalent bonding
 Bond polarity and dipole moments
 The Localised Electron Bonding Model

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 378-401

Free online videos: Bond polarity and dipole moments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYCDhRzwQoY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ium2E9zKGLE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3g3jsmCOEQ
Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 9

WEEK 13:

Topic: Chemical Bonding

 Lewis structures
 Formal Charges
 Exceptions to the Octet rule
 Resonance

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 402-428

Free online videos: Lewis structures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7Fsb21B2Xg

Resonance structures https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUCu7bPkZeI

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Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 10

WEEK 14:

Topic: Chemical Bonding

 The Valence Shell Electron-Pair Repulsion Model (VSEPR) and the AXE method for
Predicting geometry of molecules
 Hybridisation of atomic orbitals

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 441-457

Free online videos: VSEPR Model https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxebQZUVvTg

Hybridisation of atomic orbitals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xl0BD-tMeA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcSPPKESpwc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1eGSL6J6Fo

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 11

MID-YEAR BREAK

WEEK 15:

Topic: Chemical Kinetics

 Reaction rates
 Rate Laws
 Determining form of rate law; Method of Initial rates

Reading; Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 578-589

Free online videos: kinetics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaFgU3DP2S8

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 12

WEEK 16:

Topic: Chemical Kinetics

 Integrated rate laws
 Half-life
 Factors that affect rate of reaction
 Reaction Mechanisms

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 589-603

Free online videos: integrated rate laws https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP9CHXm2_h0

Reaction mechanism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP9CHXm2_h0

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Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 13/ Assignment 3

WEEK17:

Topic: Chemical Equilibria

 The equilibrium condition
 The equilibrium constant; law of mass action, reaction quotient
 The equilibrium expression
 Equilibrium involving pressure

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 632-648

Free online videos: law of mass action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITalvwFirS4

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 14

WEEK 18:

Topic: Chemical Equilibria

 Applications of the equilibrium constant
 Solving Equilibrium problems
 Le Châtelier’s Principle

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl pages 648-668

Free online videos: Solving Equilibrium problems

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsiGDZd1RF8
Le châtelier’s principle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-fEvpVNTlE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PciV_Wuh9V8

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 15/ Quiz 3

WEEK 19: (3rd CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TEST) 5% chemical kinetics and

equilibria

WEEK 20:

Topic: Acid-Base Equilibria

 Acid strength
 PH Scale
 Calculating PH of weak acids/bases
 Calculating PH of strong acids/bases
 Buffered solutions
 Titrations and PH curves

Page 7
Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl Chapter(s) 14 and 15

Free online videos: buffered solutions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsHq5aqz4uQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzmI7A578ss

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 16

WEEK 21:

Topic: Organic Chemistry

 Writing formulae for organic molecules; bond-line formula, condensed formula, dash
formula and lewis kekule structures
 Functional groups; definition, functional group priorities
 Hydrocarbons

Readings: Solomons and Fryhle pages 79-94

Free online videos:

Problem set: Tutorial Sheet 17

WEEK 22:

Topic: Organic Chemistry

 Nomenclature of Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes, Cyclic hydrocarbons, Alcohols, Carbonyls
(aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids) and amines
 Isomerism and Chirality

Readings: Solomons and Fryhle chapter(s) 4 and 5

Free online videos:

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 18

WEEK 23:

Topic: Organic Chemistry

 Common reactions of some selected functional groups
 Reaction mechanism; Radical-, SN1- and, SN2-mechanism(s)

Readings: Solomons and Fryhle

Free online videos:

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 19/ Assignment 4

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WEEK 24: 4th CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TEST (CAT 2) 5% acid base equilibria and
organic chemistry

WEEK 25:

Topic: Solutions and their Properties

 Ways of expression content of a solution; molality, molarity, mole fraction, percent
composition, parts per million and parts per billion
 Factors that affect solubility
 Henry’s Law

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl Chapter 11

Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd9xPEePX9w

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 20

WEEK26:

Topic: Colligative properties of a solution

 Vapour pressure lowering; Raoult’s Law
 Freezing-point depression
 Boiling-point elevation
 Osmotic pressure and its applications in dialysis machine

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl Chapter 11

Free online videos: Colligative properties

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck2YR9Bixks

 Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 21

WEEK 27:

Topic: Energetics
 Endothermic and exothermic reactions
 Energy-profile diagrams
 Enthalpy and Entropy
 Gibbs’ free Energy
 Conditions for spontaneity of a reaction

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl Chapters 6 and 17

Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zslB7dr-eZA

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Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 22/ Quiz 4

WEEK 28:

Topic: Electrochemistry
 The Galvanic cell
 The electrolytic cell
 Nernst equation
 Corrosion

Readings: Zumdahl-Zumdahl Chapter 18

Free online videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjxUddbsvKk

Problem sets: Tutorial Sheet 23

FINAL EXAMINATION 60%

 Lab Practise Exam (10%)

 Theory Exam (50%)

Part 4: Grading Policy

Graded Coursework (or CATs), Problem sets (or assignments) and examinations

ASSESSMENT COMMENTS % OF FINAL GRADE

Assignments 5%

Continuous Assessment 20%

Tests

Quizzes 5%

Lab Practical 10%

FINAL EXAM Theory and Practical 60%

TOTAL POINTS Add up all points 100%

Out of 100%

Letter Grades

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 Letter Grade Percentage Performance
A+ 90 -100% Upper Distinction
A 80-89 Lower Distinction
B+ 70-79 Meritorious
B 60-69 Credit
C+ 55-59 Definite Pass
C 50-55 Bare Pass
D+ 45-49 Bare Fail
D 0-44 Fail

Part 5: Course Policies

Class Attendance, Participation and Emergencies

1. Attending classes is mandatory for all students.

2. Participation in group work or teamwork is required whenever such work is assigned.
3. In case of any emergency that disenables a student from attending classes or
completing work, the student is expected to communicate with the lecturer or dean as
soon as possible.
4. Students with disabilities should inform the dean of the faculty of any special needs
that they may have.
5. Please insert other class rules here

Late Work and Missing Assessments

1. Each student is responsible for making sure that his or her work is done on time.
2. Any student who misses assessments or misses class should talk to his or her
lecturer/facilitator or professor as soon as possible and seek the lecturer’s advice on
how to make up for work missed or assessments missed.
3. Students who expect to miss classes or to miss assessments for health reasons or
special family reasons should communicate with the lecturer or professor for the
course as soon as possible.
4. Students should note that there may be a penalty for late work, and missed
assessments. The penalty may include not being allowed to sit for the final
examination.
5. Students who are unable to keep up with class work should consult with the course
lecturer or faculty dean or dean of students, and seek advice.

Integrity and Zero Tolerance for Plagiarism

1. All students are expected to abide by the university’s policy on ethical conduct.

2. Any student involved in cheating in tests, coursework or examinations will be

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 suspended pending investigations, and may be expelled from the University.

3. Any student involved in buying or selling tests or examinations will be suspended

from the University pending investigations.

4. Any student involved in using sexual favors in exchange for marks will be suspended
pending investigations, and may be expelled from the University.

5. Plagiarism means presenting other people’s work from online or from other sources as
your own. Plagiarism is a serious offence and will not be tolerated, and offenders will
fail that particular course.

6. Students are required to read the University’s policy on examinations.

Make up of Missed Classes

1. There will be special make up classes for each class that is missed because the lecturer
could not come to class on a particular day

2. Students are required to treat make up classes as part of the regular learning program

Progression Regulations

General
This policy complements the progression regulations of the Board of Examiners and offers the
following guidelines:
 A course score of 44% and below is a fail grade designated D.
 A course score of 45 - 49% (D+) qualifies for supplementary examination.
 A student cannot have more than two supplementary examinations.
 A student who fails two courses is eligible to repeat the semester/year.
 A student cannot repeat a course or a year more than twice.
 A student who fails three courses will be excluded from the programme.
 For courses in which each year is a pre-requisite for the subsequent year a
student cannot proceed and repeat courses at the same time.
 All repeated courses must be passed. The transcript of results will reflect the
higher grade in cases of repeated courses.

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