Course syllabus for Organic and inorganic chemistry

Course syllabus adopted 2026-02-18 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameOrganisk och oorganisk kemi
  • CodeKBT385
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKTKE
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyEngineering Chemistry
  • DepartmentCHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 43123
  • Maximum participants165
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0126 Laboratory 1.5 c
Grading: UG		 1.5 c
0226 Examination 6 c
Grading: TH		 6 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Course specific prerequisites

Knowledge in general chemistry and physical chemistry, corresponding to the level in the courses General chemistry 1, General chemistry 2, and Physical chemistry

Aim

  • Provide fundamental knowledge in organic chemistry and in the part of inorganic chemistry that comprises coordination chemistry and organometallic chemistry.
  • Provide the knowledge within these knowledge areas that a graduating Master of Science in Engineering with a specialization in chemical engineering or biotechnology is expected to apply in professional practice.
  • Provide an understanding of the relationship between structure and properties of organic and inorganic compounds.
  • Provide fundamental knowledge of the principles of green chemistry.
  • Provide the opportunity to critically evaluate chemistry-related information in non-scientific media.
  • Develop experimental skills in synthetic chemistry.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Based on electrostatic interaction and simple molecular orbital theory, be able to derive the three-dimensional structure of coordination compounds of the early transition metals.
  • Using simple theoretical models, including molecular orbital theory, crystal field theory and coulomb forces, be able to describe how chemical bonds form and break.
  • Be able to account for mechanisms of substitution at saturated/unsaturated carbon, addition to unsaturated carbon, elimination, electrophilic aromatic substitution, radical reactions, and be able to explain how these relate to thermodynamics and reaction rate.
  • Be familiar with the most common oxidation and reduction reactions in organic chemistry.
  • Be able to explain the basic reaction steps in homogeneous metal catalysis and be able to interpret a catalytic cycle.
  • Be able to suggest reactions and reagents to build simple organic molecules by forming new bonds or converting one functional group into another.
  • Identify simple molecules by analyzing IR, MS, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectra
  • Perform simple laboratory work in organic and inorganic chemistry, i.e., plan, carry out, and work up a reaction, as well as analyze the reaction products and systematically document the work.

Content

  • Identification of organic compounds using 1H/13C NMR- and IR-spectroscopy, as well as mass spectrometry (MS).
  • Coordination compounds
  • Organometallic chemistry
  • Bio-inorganic chemistry
  • Substitution and elimination reactions
  • Addition reactions
  • Chemistry of the carbonyl group
  • Chemistry of aromatic compounds
  • Radical reactions
  • Oxidation and reduction in organic chemistry

Organisation

The course is divided into lectures, problem sessions, laboratory classes and self studies. The laboratory classes are a compulsory part of the course.

Literature

  1. Chemical Principles: The Quest for Insight, P. W. Atkins och L. L. Jones, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, Ed 7 or later
  2. Organic Chemistry, J. Clayden, N. Greeves, S. Warren, Oxford University Press, Oxford, any edition

Examination including compulsory elements

The theoretical part is assessed by a written examination after the course. The practical part is examined through a number of laboratory classes, together with one lab report.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.

Organic and inorganic chemistry | Chalmers