Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

• Unit Code

  SCC1226

• Year

  2017

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

• Unit Coordinator

  Mrs Sharon Lisa GOUGH

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Description

This unit provides an introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry. It covers the structure and reactions of important classes of organic compounds and biomolecules including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids. Various important applications will be described, including polymers, medicinals, soaps, detergents.

Prerequisite Rule

(Scaled Score in CHE3A/3B > 49.99 OR Students must pass 1 unit from SCC1111, SCC1123)

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded SCC1124

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate laboratory skills relevant to organic chemistry and biochemistry including handling and disposal of chemical reagents with respect to personal safety and sustainable practice.
2. Describe and relate the structure and properties of medicinals, polymers and soaps to their uses in society.
3. Explain and apply fundamental concepts and principles in organic chemistry and biochemistry and recognise applications of these concepts and principles.
4. Identify important functional groups and classes of organic and biomolecules, describe their structure, and predict outcomes of typical reactions.

Unit Content

1. Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers Nomenclature, bonding, structure, preparation, physical properties, typical chemical reactions. Example of fermentation and production of alcoholic beverages.
2. Aldehydes, Ketones and Amines Nomenclature, bonding, structure, preparation, physical properties, typical chemical reactions. Comparison of aldehydes and ketones.
3. Analysis of biomolecules Introduction to spectroscopy and chromatography and their application to biological, nutritional and forensic analysis.
4. Carbohydrates Structure of monosaccharides (especially glucose, fructose, galactose), disaccharides (maltose, lactose, sucrose), polysaccharides (starch, glycogen, cellulose), including stereoisomerism. Identification tests for carbohydrates as reducing sugars. Formation and hydrolysis of glycosidic linkages.
5. Carboxylic Acids, Esters and Amides Nomenclature, bonding, structure, preparation, physical properties, typical chemical reactions. Examples of fruit essences and flavourings, cosmetics, vitamins, medicinals, soaps and detergents.
6. General Overview of organic and biological chemistry and the applications in many fields of science across international contexts, such as biochemistry, nutrition and forensics.
7. Hydrocarbons Nomenclature, bonding, structure, physical and chemical properties of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatic compounds. Applications as fuels, chemical feedstocks.
8. Lipids Classification system for lipids. Triglycerides, degree of unsaturation, hydrolysis and saponification. Phospholipids and application as biological membranes. Steroids, prostaglandins, waxes as categories of lipid.
9. Metals in biological systems Metals in important biological molecules such as haemoglobin and chlorophyll, metals in the environment, trace metals.
10. Nucleic Acids Components and structure of nucleic acids, formation of double helix, DNA and RNA exemplars, role and function of nucleic acids.
11. Proteins Structure of amino acids, importance of side chain structure, existence as zwitterions. Formation of peptide bonds. Proteins and their primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures. Enzymes and biological catalysts, dependence on temperature and pH, models of enzyme function (lock and key model, induced fit model).
12. Synthetic Polymers Addition and condensation polymerisation reactions. Poly(ethylene) and its derivatives, polyesters and polyamides.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and laboratory work. During laboratory work, students will work in teams, and develop time-management and communications skills required to complete multiple activities simultaneously.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Core Reading(s)

• Seager, S. L., & Slabaugh, M. R. (2011). Organic and biochemistry for today (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage.

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