| CODE | CHE0012 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Foundations of Chemistry and Biochemistry | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 00 - Mod Pre-Tert, Foundation, Proficiency & DegreePlus | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 4 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Chemistry | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will serve as a basic introduction to chemistry and biochemistry for Preparatory Course for Higher Diploma in Nursing Studies students. In this study-unit, emphasis will be placed on basic principles of chemistry that are needed by these students in order to understand scientific principles related to nursing care. Its goal is to increase competency in analytical reasoning by developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills and to provide a foundation in chemistry for nursing students. Study-unit Aims: - To provide a basic understanding of the structure of chemical compounds: atoms, and molecules, ionic compounds and understand the structure of some common chemical compounds found in nursing practice. - To give nursing students a general introduction to the chemical sciences such as physical and chemical properties of chemical compounds, chemical reactions, different types of bonds, acid and basic properties, pH, etc. - To provide nursing students with an understanding of basic biochemistry, e.g structure of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, role of enzymes, understanding of receptors etc. - To introduce the students to the concepts of solubility and dissolution initially from a chemical and mathematical perspective, and later as applied to a pharmacological setting and to provide students with the ability to perform basic drug calculations. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will: - Have an understanding of the basic principles of chemistry and biochemistry; - Be able to differentiate between atoms, ions, molecules, organic, inorganic, aromatic and aliphatic compounds and recognise functional groups; - Have an understanding of the various types of bonding, and their implications on the physical properties of the resulting chemical compounds; - Know the difference between lipophilic vs hydrophilic systems; - Have an understanding of acids, bases, pH, buffers and isotonic, hypertonic or hypotonic solutions; - Have an understanding of how these principles can be applied in therapeutics in patient care delivery. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Recognise structures and basic properties of different types of chemical and biochemical compounds encountered in nursing care; - Apply knowledge of the basic functional groups of molecules to deduce some of their physical and chemical properties and possible effects in humans; - Apply basic mathematical principles in a chemical context; - Calculate appropriate dosages, drug concentrations and pH of solutions. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Humphrey Moynihan, Abina Crean, Physicochemical Basis of Pharmaceuticals, Oxford University Press ISBN 9780199232840. - Eileen Ramsden, A-Level Chemistry - Core Text, Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780748752997. Study Aid: - Peter Atkins, Julio de Paula, Atkins' Physical Chemistry, Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780199697403. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Ruben Gatt |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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