What you will study
Chemistry has a major and far-reaching impact on our daily lives. From its role in the natural world, in our bodies and in the environment, to its importance in the production of new materials and drugs, chemistry plays an integral part in our understanding of these processes and interactions.
This module is designed to stimulate your interest in chemistry, and to increase your knowledge and understanding of chemical principles through exploring the natural and ‘synthetic’ world. You will study important concepts in physical, inorganic, organic and biological chemistry and explore how these concepts shape our understanding of the world around us.
The module is delivered entirely online; audio, video and interactive activities are integrated throughout the module texts. The module is based on ten topics with a particular focus on the three main themes underlying the module: chemistry in the natural world, and chemical reactivity: molecular design and synthesis. An understanding of the chemical processes that take place in the natural world, the focus of the first theme, is vital for the development and production of modern materials, medicine, and so on, the focus of the second theme. Key to both is an understanding of the structure of molecules and materials, and so this is explored in a third theme, related to structural determination.
Theme 1: Chemistry in the natural world
Knowledge of the role that chemistry plays in living systems is vital, both in understanding life processes themselves and in the treatment of disease. Similarly, knowledge of how pH and pKa plays a role in the interactivity and reactivity of chemical species present in solution, is critical in our understanding of the natural environment. Furthermore, an appreciation of atmospheric chemistry is important to rationalise climate change and the development of materials for pollution control.
Through this theme you will explore:
- how the structure of a protein influences the function that it plays in living systems
- the influence of pH on the chemical species present in solution and its significance on solubility, metal complexation and speciation, both in the environment and the body
- how metal ions are acquired by living systems from the environment, how they transported and ultimately how they are stored
- the roles that metal ions play in processes in the body, from communication to metabolism and their importance in metalloproteins, a class of proteins containing metal ions within their structure, such as iron in haemoglobin
- atmospheric chemistry, in particular how materials released into the air by human activities can alter the natural system.
Theme 2: Chemical reactivity: molecular design and synthesis
The guiding principles that govern whether, how and under what conditions substances will react with one another are of central importance in all areas of chemistry. They impact in many ways on modern life, from the production of vital everyday materials – drugs, fuels, plastics, fertilisers – to the control of pollution in our environment.
The principles derive from two of the most important cornerstones of physical chemistry: thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. A key aim of the module is to examine the practical consequences that arise as a direct result of the interplay between these two fundamental concepts.
Through this theme you will explore:
- the steps involved in chemical reactions at the molecular level (the mechanism)
- the processes involved in catalysis, particularly at solid surfaces where the world market for solid catalysts is immense, and in enzymes which elegantly catalyse reactions in the body
- how drug molecules interact with molecular targets such as enzymes and other proteins, one of the key drivers behind much of the design and development of new drugs
- the factors that are important in the design of molecules and materials for a range of applications, from organic molecules in drugs, metal complexes in medical diagnostics and therapy, to the ‘catalytic convertors’ used to control exhaust emissions
- the wide range of reactions in use today for the synthesis of organic compounds with specified structures and stereochemistry, in chemical research and in industry; the choice of reaction, reactants and reaction conditions
Theme 3: Structural determination
The structure of a molecule, be it a protein or a drug, is integral to its function. Similarly, in an effort to optimise the performance of solid catalysts, the ability to characterise the surface and study the interactions of molecules with the surface is important.
Through this theme you will explore:
- the methods used to determine the structure of a protein
- the techniques which can be used to understand the chemistry taking place at metal centres within proteins
- the theoretical basis and application of NMR spectroscopy, a key technique used to determine the structure of organic and inorganic molecules
- the techniques used to examine the surface of solid materials and species adsorbed on the surface.
Scientific skills
In addition, at appropriate points in your studies you will undertake activities to develop your scientific skills through a mixture of onscreen practical investigations and scientific literacy activities. Use is made of online databases, both those available through the library to investigate the scientific literature, as well as external sites such as the RCSB Protein Data Bank and associated visualisation tools/software.
You will learn
The module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of:
- protein structure and function
- how pH and pKa influences interactivity and reactivity of chemical species
- the roles that metals and their complexes play in living systems and in medicinal applications
- chemical reaction mechanisms, particularly in the context of atmospheric chemistry and catalysis
- how molecules can be designed
- the synthesis of organic molecules
- characterisation techniques to determine the structure of proteins, organic and inorganic molecules and surfaces
In addition, scientific skills such as critical analysis, problem solving, scientific literacy and exploration of scientific databases will be developed.
Vocational relevance
By studying this module you will develop your understanding of chemistry over a broad range of topics, covering inorganic, organic, physical and biological chemistry. In addition you will develop key skills in numeracy, experimental investigation, problem solving, critical reading and interpretation of scientific literature, digital literacy, scientific communication and the use of modern databases.