Program Overview

Introduction to Organic Chemistry (KemiOrg)

Course Description

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the most important classes of substances in classical organic and biological chemistry, as well as their typical chemical reactions. Additionally, students will gain knowledge of organic chemical formula language and nomenclature. The course covers simple organic molecules and substance types, stereochemistry, basic organic chemical reaction types, physical-chemical properties, and NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry, with a focus on NMR for substance identification.

Learning Objectives

Knowledge

After completing the course, students will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of the basic substance classes in classical organic and biological chemistry
• demonstrate knowledge of the basic organic chemical reaction types and their reaction mechanisms
• demonstrate knowledge of reaction mechanisms
• demonstrate knowledge of acid/base properties
• demonstrate knowledge of chemical drawing programs and spectroscopy software

Skills

After completing the course, students will be able to:

• name simple organic chemical compounds
• use software to draw chemical structure formulas
• suggest reaction mechanisms
• suggest the main product of a chemical reaction
• suggest reagents for a given chemical reaction
• perform simple laboratory work in a responsible manner, including the use of safety equipment
• perform simple organic chemical operations, such as recrystallization and extraction, and understand the basic principles behind purifying a raw product using common laboratory methods and examining the purity of a purified product
• find information on chemical classification and safety regulations, including handling and disposal of chemical waste
• document experimental laboratory work

Competencies

After completing the course, students will be able to:

• discuss descriptions of chemical bonding, as encountered in organic chemistry
• discuss stereochemical concepts and the three-dimensional structure of organic molecules
• demonstrate understanding of the relationship between chemical structure and data from spectroscopic forms IR, UV/Vis, proton- and carbon-NMR, and from mass spectrometry

Teaching Methods

The course consists of lectures, group instruction, and laboratory exercises. During the course, 10-11 sets of homework assignments and documentation for the performed laboratory exercises are submitted.

Examination

The examination is a written on-site exam, 4 hours with supervision. The safety test and laboratory exercises must be approved. 8 submissions for theoretical exercises must be approved.

Course Information

• Language of instruction: Danish
• Course number: NKEB21000U
• ECTS: 15 ECTS
• Level: Bachelor
• Duration: 2 blocks, 15 weeks
• Schedule group: A (Tuesday 8-12 + Thursday 8-17)

Responsible Institute and Faculty

• Institute: Kemisk Institut
• Faculty: Det Natur- og Biovidenskabelige Fakultet

Course Coordinator and Instructors

• Course coordinator: Christian Marcus Pedersen
• Instructors: Christian Marcus Pedersen, Michael Martin Nielsen, and instructors from Kemisk Institut (group instruction and laboratory exercises)