Entry requirements

The general rules laid down by the Curriculum Committee of the Faculty of Pharmacy apply (see programme curriculum).

Aims

The course aims to give the student the knowledge of general chemistry needed to independently solve chemical problems and questions mainly relating to pharmaceuticals. The course is intended to give the student:

- a knowledge of the fundamental theories and laws governing the structure of matter and their application in chemistry, above all in the pharmaceutical context.

- the ability to seek, summarise, present and critically analyse data relating to a specific problem.

Content

The course comprises elementary quantum mechanics as a basis for atomic structure, chemical binding and thermodynamics. The structure and properties of atoms, different types of chemical binding, including intermolecular exchange, and the relationship between chemical binding and physical and chemical properties are discussed during the course.

In the thermodynamics part, the energy conservation theorem (1st main clause), the energy, enthalpy and entropy concepts (2nd main clause) and Gibbs' free energy, spontaneous processes and the relationship to the equilibrium constant and its temperature dependence are discussed.

Chemical equilibrium (acid-base and solubility equilibrium) and the importance of equilibria for the fate of drugs in the body (dissolution, absorption and transport) are also discussed. In addition, the use of chemical equilibria in quantitative and qualitative analysis (titrimetry, extraction and chromatography) is described.

Instruction

The tuition comprises lectures, group exercises, seminars, demonstrations and laboratory sessions. The results of laboratory exercises are presented orally and in writing. Special emphasis is placed on stimulating the student to seek information and solve problems independently.

Compulsory parts of the course:

All assignments in connection with laboratory sessions.

Assessment

Examinations are held during the course and at the end. Examinations in laboratory exercises included in the course may be resat in connection with the next course at the earliest and then only if there is a vacancy. Students are required to pass the laboratory course (examination code) and the written examinations (examination code).