Accredited Level 3 Diploma in Chemistry

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During your study you will be provided with an opportunity to explore the basic principles of chemistry which includes atomic structure, modes of chemical bonding and the concept of periodicity. You will also have an opportunity to study the basic principles and concepts of organic chemistry and associated reaction mechanisms.

In addition to these topics you will have an opportunity to explore aromatic chemistry and relate associated concepts to everyday life and contexts.

The overarching aim of the course is to provide you with an opportunity to study the basic chemistry concepts in a real-world context and therefore be able to understand their relevance and application in the modern world.

The course is divided into 10 units and the main associated content of each unit is outlined below:
Unit 1: Foundation Principles in Chemistry Part 1
During this unit you will study the following topics:

• Historical overview and perspectives
• Protons, neutrons and electrons
• Mass, numbers and isotopes
• Electron arrangement
• Periodicity
• Bonding and associated structure

Unit 2: Foundation Principles in Chemistry Part 2
During this unit you will study the following topics:

• Forces acting between molecules
• Trends and properties
• Intermolecular forces and physical properties
• Choosing solvents
• Sates of matter
• Shapes of simple molecules and ions
• Predicting physical properties
• Oxidation and reduction
• Oxidation status and redox equations

Unit 3: Foundation Principles in Chemistry Part 3
During this unit you will study the following topics:

• Electrode potentials
• Electrochemical series
• Electrochemical cells
• Redox titrations
• Trends in physical properties
• Flame tests: practical procedures
• Use of chlorine and chlorate
• Testing for ions
• The mole and Avogadro’s constant

Unit 4: Foundation Principles in Chemistry Part 4
During this unit you will study the following topics:

• Empirical and molecular formulae
• Balanced equations and associated calculations
• Atom economy
• Uncertainties and measurement errors
• Displacement reactions
• Reactions of acids
• Precipitation reactions
• Mass spectrometry
• Infrared spectroscopy
• Catalysis

Unit 5: Energetics
During this unit you will study the following topics:

• Enthalpy
• Combustion
• Calorimetry
• Hess’s Law
• Bond dissociation
• Lattice energy
• Free-energy and entropy change

Unit 6: Kinetics Part 1
During this unit you will study the following topics:

• Collisions
• Activation energy
• Catalysts
• Simple rate equations
• Simple rate equations
• The dynamic nature of equilibria
• Acids and bases
• Definition and determination of pH
• Ionic production of water

Unit 7: Kinetics Part 2
During this unit you will study the following topics:

• Weak acids and bases
• pH curves, titration and indicator
• Buffer solutions
• Enthralpy changes and neutralisation
• Reaction rates
• Arrherius equation and activation energies

Unit 8: Organic Chemistry
During this unit you will study the following topics:

• Historical perspectives
• Nomeclature
• Isomerism and optimal isomerism
• Alternative fuels
• Practical techniques in organics chemistry
• Additions-eliminations reaction

Unit 9: Aromatic Chemistry
During this unit you will study the following topics:

• Bonding
• Aromatic stability
• Amino acids and protein
• Polypeptide chains and hydrogen bonds
• Polymers
• Organic synthesis and analysis

Unit 10: Modern Analytical Techniques
During this unit you will study the following topics:

• Mass spectrometry, radical cation and fragmentation
• Carbocations
• Nuclear magnetic resonance
• Chemical shift
• Chromatography