Course syllabus

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The following Zoom link will be used for all lectures for which no lecture hall is assigned in the "Schedule for Advanced Organic Chemistry":

 https://chalmers.zoom.us/j/63227123863

Password: 404153

Course-PM

KBT036 Advanced organic chemistry lp3 VT21 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Contact details

List of passionate teachers on the course:

  • Teacher and examiner: Jerker Mårtensson (JM)
    • Office 9024
    • Email: jerker@chalmers.se
    • Office (Zoom) hours: Mondays 3 to 4 PM (except February 22)
  • Teachers:
    • Nina Kann (NK)
    • Ergang Wang (EW)
    • Gunnar Westman (GW)
    • Kasper Moth-Poulsen (KMP)
    • Xiaoyan Zhang (XZ)
  • supervisors:

Course purpose

  • provide an opportunity to gain a deeper and broader knowledge of organic chemistry
  • generate insight into modern methods and experimental techniques used in organic synthesis
  • give practical experience of organic synthesis

Schedule

See Preliminary schedule in "Modules"

TimeEdit

Course literature

Organic Chemistry by Jonathan Clayden, Nick Greeves, and Stuart Warren, 2nd Edition, New York, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 978-0-19-927029-3

You can purchase the book through Cremona – Chalmers’ book store.

Course design

Course Activities and Assignments

The key principles, concepts and theoretical basis of the topics in organic chemistry dealt with in the course are presented during 16 lectures, two hours each. They will give an insight into the breadth and depth of study required to pass the assessments.

Six problem solving sessions, appr 2 h each, provide an opportunity to discuss and analyse a range of new reactions, ideas and concepts, and to apply them in solving synthetic problems together with a teacher.

A considerable part of the coursework is practical laboratory work, approximately 30 h. This provides an opportunity to apply some of the reactions discussed during the lectures and to develop the practical skills in a range of experimental techniques in synthetic chemistry. An integral part is to learn how to work safely and effectively in a laboratory.

The laboratory work is performed as a project. The results of the project are reported both in a written report and orally at a seminar at the end of the laboratory course. Both are compulsory components.

An online diagnostic test is used as a tool for you to check if you lack or have any weaknesses in required prior knowledge.

The course ends with a written exam.

COVID-19 Adaptations

The following measures will be taken to ensure that appropriate COVID-19 precautions are made:

  • The lectures will be online, via Zoom.
  • The face-to-face problem sessions will meet the social distancing requirements by use of big lecture halls for these sessions.
  • In addition to the general personal safety equipment required during laboratory work, face shield must be worn at all times in the laboratories.
  • Only half maximum number of students compared to a normal situation will be allowed in the laboratories.
  • The length of the laboratory projects has been reduced.
  • The number of laboratory sessions has been increased.
  • The written exam will most likely be online (in accordance with Chalmers recommendations).

Attendance

Attendance at the following lectures and sessions is required:

  • Thursday, January 21: Laboratory Safety lecture (face-to-face)
  • Thursday, January 21: Laboratory Introduction lecture (face-to-face)
  • Thursday, March 4: Laboratory Project Presentations seminar (face-to-face or Zoom)

Changes made since the last occasion

  • New examiner
  • See "COVID-19 Adaptations" above

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

  • be able to propose reaction mechanisms for reactions covered in the course and expand this knowledge further to other organic reactions
  • be able to suggest a multi-step synthesis of a small organic molecule
  • have the ability to carry out a multi-step organic synthesis in practice, including the handling of air-sensitive compounds
  • have knowledge and practical experience of different purification techniques used in organic synthesis
  • have the capacity to analyse products from an organic reaction using 1H NMR and IR techniques
  • have some insight into the organic chemistry literature, and be able to write an experimental part of a paper according to literature standards

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen.

Study plan

If the course is a joint course (Chalmers and Göteborgs Universitet) you should link to both syllabus (Chalmers and Göteborgs Universitet).

Examination form

The course is divided into to modules: a theoretical and a practical part.

The theoretical module is assessed by conventional examination through written exam at the end of the course.

A pass grade on the practical module requires attendance at the laboratory safety lecture, 80% attendance at the scheduled laboratory time allocated for each laboratory group, approved oral presentation of the project results and an approved written report on the laboratory project.   

 

Course summary:

Date Details Due