Introductory Organic Chemistry I
- Sciences
- 100 level
- 2 credit units
- 123 pages
- 4 units
This course provides a foundational introduction to organic chemistry. It covers the fundamental principles of bonding in organic molecules, functional groups, classification, and nomenclature. The course explores the properties, preparation methods, and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Students will learn to identify, name, and predict the behavior of organic compounds, building a strong base for further studies in chemistry.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CHM102, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CHM102 · UNIT1 BONDING, FUNCTIONAL GROUP CLASSIFICATION AND NOMENCLATURE
This examination concludes the assessment for the course. It constitutes 70% of the whole course. You will be informed of the time for the examination. It may or may not coincide with the university semester examination.
What you should be able to do
- Describe the general features of a covalent bond.
- Define bond length, bond angle, and bond energy.
- Explain various types of hybridization of carbon compounds.
- Identify the functional groups present in a molecule.
- Give IUPAC names of various compounds belonging to different classes.
- Write the correct structure of a compound from its name.
- Describe the composition and fractionation of petroleum.
- Discuss the physical properties of alkanes.
- Discuss the important chemical reactions of alkanes and cycloalkanes.
- Discuss the important chemical reactions of alkenes.
- Explain the acidity of terminal alkynes.
What it prepares you for
- Chemist
- Lab Technician
- Chemical Engineer
- Pharmacist
- Materials Scientist
- Petroleum
- Pharmaceuticals
- Plastics
- Agriculture
- Cosmetics
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1:
Unit 1: Bonding, Functional Groups, Classification and Nomenclature of Organic Compounds
Understanding the different types of orbital hybridization (sp3, sp2, sp) and their implications for molecular geometry requires strong visualization skills and a solid grasp of quantum mechanical principles.
- Module 1:
Unit 2: Alkanes
Predicting the products of alkane halogenation requires understanding free radical mechanisms and considering the stability of different radical intermediates.
- Module 1:
Unit 3: Alkenes
Predicting the products of electrophilic addition reactions to unsymmetrical alkenes requires a thorough understanding of Markovnikov's rule and carbocation stability.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 52 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Bonding, Functional Groups, Classification and Nomenclature of Organic Compounds · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Bonding, Functional Groups, Classification and Nomenclature of Organic Compounds.. Understand covalent bonds, bond length, bond angle, and bond energy.. Practice identifying functional groups in molecules.. Work through examples of IUPAC naming conventions..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 1: Bonding, Functional Groups, Classification and Nomenclature of Organic Compounds · 3 hours
Continue studying Unit 1.. Practice writing structures from IUPAC names.. Complete Self Assessment Exercises 1-5 to test understanding.. Review examples of isomers and their nomenclature..
- Week 3Module 1:
Unit 2: Alkanes · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: Alkanes.. Understand the composition and fractionation of petroleum.. Define octane number and cetane number.. Study the physical and spectral properties of alkanes..
- Week 4Module 1:
Unit 2: Alkanes · 3 hours
Continue studying Unit 2.. List methods for preparation of alkanes and cycloalkanes.. Discuss the important chemical reactions of alkanes and cycloalkanes.. Work through Self Assessment Exercises 1 and 2..
- Week 5Module 1:
Unit 3: Alkenes · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Alkenes.. Classify the types of alkenes.. Explain the structure of monoenes and dienes.. List their spectral and physical properties..
- Week 6Module 1:
Unit 3: Alkenes · 3 hours
Continue studying Unit 3.. List the different methods for their preparation.. Write down the important chemical reactions of alkenes.. Work through Self Assessment Exercises 1-3..
- Week 7Module 1:
Unit 4: Alkynes · 3 hours
Read Unit 4: Alkynes.. List the various kinds of alkynes.. List the physical and spectral properties of alkynes.. Explain the various methods for the preparation of alkynes..
- Week 8Module 1:
Unit 4: Alkynes · 3 hours
Continue studying Unit 4.. Explain the acidity of terminal alkynes.. Explain the chemical reactions of alkynes.. Work through Self Assessment Exercises 1-3..
- Week 9Module 1:
Unit 1: Bonding, Functional Groups, Classification and Nomenclature of Organic Compounds · 3 hours
Review Module 1: Bonding, Functional Groups, Classification and Nomenclature of Organic Compounds. Focus on nomenclature rules and functional group identification.. Practice naming and drawing organic compounds..
Unit 2: Alkanes · 3 hours
Review Module 1: Alkanes. Focus on the reactions of alkanes.. Practice writing reaction mechanisms..
- Week 10Module 1:
Unit 3: Alkenes · 3 hours
Review Module 1: Alkenes. Focus on the reactions of alkenes.. Practice writing reaction mechanisms..
Unit 4: Alkynes · 3 hours
Review Module 1: Alkynes. Focus on the reactions of alkynes.. Practice writing reaction mechanisms..
- Week 11Module 1:
Unit 1: Bonding, Functional Groups, Classification and Nomenclature of Organic Compounds · 4 hours
Work on Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) 1.. Focus on applying nomenclature rules.. Practice drawing organic structures..
- Week 12Module 1:
Unit 2: Alkanes · 4 hours
Work on Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) 2.. Focus on alkane reactions.. Practice writing reaction mechanisms..
- Week 13Module 1:
Unit 3: Alkenes · 4 hours
Work on Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) 3.. Focus on alkene and alkyne reactions.. Practice writing reaction mechanisms..
Unit 4: Alkynes · 4 hours
Work on Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) 4.. Focus on alkyne reactions.. Practice writing reaction mechanisms..
Preparing for the exam
- Create flashcards for all functional groups and their corresponding IUPAC naming prefixes/suffixes.
- Practice drawing and naming at least 10 compounds from each class (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes) weekly.
- Create concept maps linking the different methods of preparing alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes.
- Focus on understanding the mechanisms of electrophilic addition reactions and free radical reactions.
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and identify areas where you need further clarification.
- Dedicate specific study sessions to practicing nomenclature, ensuring you can both name structures and draw structures from names.
- Create a table summarizing the key reactions of alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes, including reagents and conditions.
- Practice predicting the products of reactions, paying close attention to regioselectivity and stereoselectivity.
- Review the concepts of bond length, bond angle, and bond energy, and how they relate to molecular structure and reactivity.
- Work through all the Self-Assessment Exercises in each unit and review any concepts you find difficult.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CHM102 about?
This course provides a foundational introduction to organic chemistry. It covers the fundamental principles of bonding in organic molecules, functional groups, classification, and nomenclature. The course explores the properties, preparation methods, and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Students will learn to identify, name, and predict the behavior of organic compounds, building a strong base for further studies in chemistry.
How many units does CHM102 have?
CHM102, Introductory Organic Chemistry I, has 4 units across 1 module, over 123 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CHM102?
CHM102 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Sciences.
Is CHM102 hard?
CHM102 is rated beginner level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does CHM102 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 4 units.
How is CHM102 assessed?
CHM102 is assessed by Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with CHM102?
Chemist, Lab Technician, Chemical Engineer, Pharmacist and Materials Scientist.