Foundation Chemistry

Course Coordinator: Dr Christie Ng, PhD

Course Developer: Dr Lam Ching Kin

SCI S124 is a suitable starting point if you plan to follow the degree programmes in Environmental Studies and Applied Science.

There is no entry requirement for SCI S124. However, university-level English and mathematics skills will help you to finish this course successfully.

SCI S124 is a replacement course for SCI S111 and SCI S121, and it forms an excluded combination with SCI S102, SCI S111 and SCI S121.

Aims
This course aims to:

• Provide you with fundamental knowledge of chemistry;

• Emphasize the relationships between science and everyday life;

• Provide you with the skills to explain the chemical principles in modern society, and to conduct chemical experiments.

Contents
The course covers the following topics:

1. Basics of chemistry

2. Atomic structure, periodicity and chemical bonding

3. Changes of matter

4. The control of chemical reactions — how fast, how far?

5. Chemistry in action

A printed course guide and five study units and supplementary readings will be provided as course materials.

Learning support
Regular tutorials and surgeries will be held, and regular laboratory sessions will be arranged where tutors and supervisors will guide you through experiments.

Assessment
There are two assignments and a final examination. All assignments will be counted toward the overall continuous assignment score and this counts for 50% of the overall course score. The other 50% of overall course score will be made up by examination. Students are required to submit all assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Set book(s)
There is no set book in this course.

Students with disabilities or special educational needs
This course contains visual and audio materials that you have to work through in order to complete your studies successfully. You are encouraged to seek further advice from the Course Coordinator if you feel that this will be physically challenging.