Program Overview
Program Overview
The MSc Programme in Chemistry is a comprehensive program that covers various aspects of chemistry, including physical organic chemistry. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of chemical reactions, mechanisms, and principles.
Course Description
The Organic Chemistry course is a key component of the MSc Programme in Chemistry. The course covers structure and mechanisms in organic chemistry, with an emphasis on physical organic chemistry. The major topics include:
- Chemical bonding and structures (electronegativity, VSEPR, Lewis structures, hybridization, QMOT, orbital mixing)
- Stereochemistry (configuration, conformation, chirality)
- Conformational, sterically and stereoelectronic effects (thermodynamic, kinetic)
- Solutions and non-covalent binding forces (strong and weak interactions)
- Acid-Base chemistry (definitions and implications of pH and pKa)
- Energy surfaces and Kinetics (transition state theory, Hammond postulate, More O'Ferral-Jenck plots)
- Isotope effects (theory and practice)
- LFER (Hammett, Bronsted relationship, enthalpy-entropy compensation)
- Catalysis (General and specific acid/base catalysis)
- Nucleophilic substitution (at sp2, at sp3, types, leaving groups, anchimeric assistance, carbocations)
- Addition/elimination/rearrangement/isomerization
- Concerted pericyclic reactions (cycloadditions, sigmatropic rearrangements, FMO theory, electrocyclization)
- Radical reactions (reaction patterns, stability, substituent effects)
- Introduction to organometallic chemistry (catalysis, reactions and structures)
Learning Outcomes
After passing the course, students should be able to:
- Describe reactions using physical organic chemistry
- Justify selectivities between products on the basis of physical organic chemistry
- Apply the theory to solve practical problems in organic chemistry and elucidate the mechanisms of the desired and undesired reactions
- Explain and discuss the above topics
- Analyze reactions on the basis of physical organic chemistry
Teaching and Learning Methods
The teaching is divided into lectures by the teacher (and invited lecturers), student presentations of research papers, and exercises (solved by the students at home – discussed on the class). Special topics and own experiences will be included when appropriate in the context.
Literature
Course material will be indicated on Absalon.
Recommended Prerequisites
Basic competencies in physical chemistry, quantum chemistry, inorganic chemistry are necessary, and intermediate competencies in organic chemistry and organic synthesis are necessary (equivalent to KemiOrg and (Vid)OrgSyn). Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree are recommended.
Assessment
The assessment consists of:
- Written examination, essay writing, 4 hours under invigilation (50%)
- Oral examination, 20 minutes (no preparation time) (50%)
- Submission and approval of midterm essay after block 3
- Submission and approval of all weekly assignments
Aid
Only certain aids are allowed:
- Written examination: Molecular building models
- Oral examination: No aids allowed
Marking Scale
The marking scale is a 7-point grading scale.
Re-exam
The re-exam is the same as the ordinary exam. Both oral (25 minutes, no preparation) and written exams (4 hours) must be retaken. Midterm essays and weekly assignments that have not received approval must be submitted at least 3 weeks before the re-examination and must be approved no later than 2 weeks prior to the re-examination.
Course Type
The course type is a single subject course (day).
Workload
The workload is:
- Lectures: 28 hours
- Preparation: 323 hours
- Theory exercises: 56 hours
- Exam: 5 hours
- English: 412 hours
Language
The language of the course is English.
Course Number
The course number is NKEK13006U.
ECTS
The course is worth 15 ECTS.
Programme Level
The programme level is Full Degree Master.
Duration
The duration of the course is 2 blocks.
Placement
The course is placed in Block 3 and Block 4.
Schedule Group
The schedule group is B.
Capacity
There is no limitation, unless you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student.
Study Board
The study board is the Study Board of Physics, Chemistry and Nanoscience.
Contracting Department
The contracting department is the Department of Chemistry.
Contracting Faculty
The contracting faculty is the Faculty of Science.
Course Coordinator
The course coordinator is Jiwoong Lee.
Teacher
The teacher is Jiwoong Lee.