CH1MA1: Mathematics for Chemists

Module code: CH1MA1

Module provider: Chemistry; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Professor Ann Chippindale, email: a.m.chippindale@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will equip you with the mathematical tools needed to underpin and support all years of your chemistry degree program. Information will be delivered initially through in-person lectures and you will have plenty of opportunity to grow in confidence mathematically by practising your new skills in the supportive environment of the weekly workshops and by using the additional online resources.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Use the mathematical concepts listed below to solve problems in a mathematical context.
2. Apply their enhanced mathematical and numeracy skills to challenges in all aspects of the chemistry course, including theoretical problems and treatment and analysis of data from the laboratory classes and final-year projects.
3. Develop this acquired expertise beyond university level into careers in the real world.

Module content

Basic algebra: multiplication/division of powers; simultaneous equations; solution of quadratic equations (i.e. ax2 + bx + c = 0) by factorising and by using the general formula. Units, dimensions, significant figures, graphical techniques (including how to draw and interpret a straight-line graph (y = mx + c)). Logarithms (including bases e and 10); exponentials, their relationship to logarithms and applications to pH, Beer-Lambert law, Arrhenius equation; plotting of functions e.g. y = log x, y = ex.

Trigonometry: useful relationships, Pythagoras’ theorem, sine rule, cosine rule; properties of important functions, curve sketching, e.g. y = cos x, y = sin x, y = tan x. Interconversion of radians and degrees, π and properties of circles. 

Introduction to complex (imaginary) numbers, the complex conjugate, modulus, Euler’s formula.

Calculus: Differentiation - definition, graphical interpretation, first principles; differentiation of simple functions, turning points and inflections, the chain rule, product rule, quotient rule and other selected methods; partial differentiation.

Integration: Definition, graphical interpretation, relation to differentiation, definite and indefinite integrals; integrating simple differential equations, such as kinetic rate laws, areas under curves.

Vectors: Calculating magnitude and directions of vectors; vector addition and subtraction; vectors multiplied by scalars; dot product (scalar product) and its use to find the angle between two vectors. Vectors in two- and three- dimensions.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

For the first nine weeks of each semester, there will be one in-person lecture immediately followed by a 2-hour formative workshop (compulsory) to practice and reinforce the content covered in the lecture. In each workshop, there will be a 15 minute formative test covering the previous week’s topic. The test will be marked in the workshop by the lecturer and the answers returned to the students with immediate, personal feedback. Students will also attend two revision workshops at the end of each of the lecture series in preparation for the written exams.

Additional examples with answers are available online to aid self-study.

Study hours

At least 58 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs