Introduction to Chemistry: Structures and Solutions from Coursera

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Syllabus

Review Videos (I)

Welcome! Over the eight weeks of the Introduction to Chemistry: Structures and Solutions course, we will begin discussions about the electronic structure of the atom, structures of molecules, phases of matter, and solutions. This week, we included some basic concept videos in Chemistry. These come from the partner course called Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios. You can technically start with either course, but when these courses were originally designed, the Reactions and Ratios content came first, and you might find it helpful to complete that course before this course. If you are not familiar with the concepts of physical change v.s. chemical change, or significant figure and scientific notations, then please begin by reviewing video “Introduction”. I hope you enjoy this week's materials!

light

We will cover introduction to light, Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, atomic orbitals, electron configurations, valence versus core electrons. Don’t forget to use this week’s discussion forum for any questions and discussions.

Quantum Number, Lewis Dot Structure

Welcome to week 2! This week we will introduce quantum numbers, more information about periodicity, chemical bonding concepts including Lewis dot structures, resonance, bond order. Continue using the discussion forum for any questions, concerns, discussions, and suggestions. We value your feedback very much!

I hope you already found out how we captured the course logo from Colored Flames. Wasn't that fun to watch? Kudos to those of you who browsed the course, watched videos, submitted exercises, and/or posted on the discussion forum! Keep the great work going please.

Formal Charge, VSEPR Theory, Hybridization

Welcome to week 3! This week includes introduction to the octet rule and expanded octets, formal chargevalence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory, sigma and pi bonds, hybridization of the main group elements, and introduction to molecular shapes.

I hope you enjoyed the last two weeks of learning chemistry. Great work on watching videos, posting on the discussion forum and submitting your exercises!

Phases of Matter, Gas Laws

Welcome to week 4! This week we will discuss phases of matter, the importance of thermal energy, ideal gas law calculations, kinetic molecular theory of gases. Hope you will enjoy!

We are at the midway point in the course! As a group you have been watching videos, completing quizzes, and/or actively discussing chemistry on the forums, so please accept our compliments on your hard work so far in the course.

Intermolecular Forces and Phase Changes

Welcome to week 5! This week we will examine the phases of matter more closely, looking at concepts such as intermolecular forces and thermal energy. We will also practice calculations of energetics such as those requiring enthalpies of phase transitions. Finally, we will introduce concepts in metal bonding and solid lattices. We made a few illustrative demonstrations for your viewing pleasure; I hope that these are helpful!

Remember to continue posting any questions, concerns and suggestions to the discussion forum. Also help your peers out on the forum to build a beneficial learning community together!

Solutions

Welcome to week 6! We have reached the last week of video lectures and exercises for the course! Are you ready to make the final push through the rest of the material? After that, you should be ready to tackle the final exam which opens next week. I have enjoyed working on this course; and I hope you have too!

This week, we will first release a couple of review videos related to solution and solubility from Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios. Please review these important concepts before starting Lesson Two - Solutions. Then we will start with a review of dissolution and covers some concentration units. This is accompanied by solution-related demonstrations and another bonus interview with a chemist who also works at Duke. The interviews were conceived and filmed by Abdul Latif, an undergraduate in the humanities who is interested in the history of chemistry and how people choose their professions. Enjoy!

Strengthen Your Understanding

Congratulations on making through to the final week of the course! For many of you it was not an easy journey for the past six weeks with dozens of videos, exercises, problem sets, and forum discussions. I am proud of all of you! The last components of the course - final exam opens this week. Please use it as a chance to apply what you have learned from the course.

There are two parts (timed, 90 minutes for each part) in the final exam. You are encouraged to review all course lectures, exercises, and problem sets before attempting the Final exam. Please feel welcome to use a calculator, scratch paper, simple periodic table, and the reference materials we provided in the course. Good luck with your final exam!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Strengthens an existing foundation for intermediate learners

Suitable for learners with limited background in chemistry

Provides a review of basic chemistry concepts

Explores phases of matter and their properties

Examines gas laws and their applications

Introduces quantum numbers and molecular shapes

Reviews summary

Highly rated chemistry course

Learners say this well-received course is a good, basic introduction to chemistry. The lectures and example problems are well-explained. Also, a helpful group of assistants are available to aid with problem sets and unclear lecture points. The forum is lively and the students are diverse, so that many points of view are shared, and students are always willing to help other students.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Chemistry: Structures and Solutions with these activities:

Attend a workshop on atomic structure

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Attending a workshop will provide you with an opportunity to learn about atomic structure from an expert and will give you the chance to ask questions and get feedback.

Browse courses on Atomic Structure

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Find a workshop on atomic structure.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and take notes.
Ask questions and get feedback from the workshop leader.

Watch videos on atomic structure

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Watching the videos will help you to understand the basic concepts of atomic structure, including the arrangement of electrons, protons, and neutrons in the atom.

Browse courses on Atomic Structure

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Go to the course website and find the videos on atomic structure.
Watch the videos carefully and take notes.
Pause the videos to take notes on any concepts that you don't understand.
Rewind the videos if you need to review any concepts.
Think about how the concepts of atomic structure relate to the other topics that you are learning in the course.

Discuss atomic structure with classmates

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Discussing atomic structure with classmates will help you to understand the concepts more deeply and will provide you with different perspectives on the topic.

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Find a group of classmates to discuss atomic structure with.
Prepare some questions to ask your classmates.
Take turns discussing the different concepts of atomic structure.
Listen to your classmates' perspectives and ask questions to clarify your understanding.

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Solve problems on atomic structure

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Solving problems will help you improve your understanding of atomic structure and prepare you for the quizzes and exams.

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Find some practice problems on atomic structure.
Solve the problems carefully and check your answers.
If you get stuck on a problem, ask your instructor or a classmate for help.
Review the problems that you solved to make sure that you understand the concepts.

Read a book on atomic structure

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Reading a textbook will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of atomic structure and will provide you with additional resources to help you with your studies.

View Basic Inorganic Chemistry, 3rd Edition on Amazon

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Find a textbook on atomic structure.
Read the textbook carefully and take notes.
Highlight the important concepts.
Review the textbook regularly to reinforce your understanding.

Write a summary of atomic structure

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Writing a summary will help you consolidate your understanding of atomic structure and will provide you with a valuable resource for review.

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Gather your notes on atomic structure.
Organize your notes into a logical order.
Write a summary of the main concepts of atomic structure.
Review your summary and make sure that it is clear and concise.

Make a model of an atom

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Creating a model will help you visualize the structure of an atom and will provide you with a hands-on learning experience.

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Gather the materials that you need to make your model.
Follow the instructions to make your model.
Label the parts of your model.
Use your model to explain the structure of an atom to someone else.

Contribute to an open source project on atomic structure

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Contributing to an open source project will give you hands-on experience with atomic structure and will allow you to learn from others who are working on the same topic.

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Find an open source project on atomic structure.
Join the project and start contributing.
Work with other contributors to develop and improve the project.
Share your knowledge and expertise with the community.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Chemistry: Structures and Solutions will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research to develop new knowledge and technologies. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their properties and how to use this knowledge to develop new materials and products. This course may be useful for Research Scientists because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their properties.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Teacher

Teachers teach students about a variety of subjects. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their properties and how to use this knowledge to explain complex scientific concepts to students. This course may be useful for Teachers because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their properties.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research in a variety of fields. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their properties and how to use this knowledge to develop new materials and products. This course may be useful for Professors because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their properties.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and the impact of human activities on the environment. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their environmental properties and how to use this knowledge to protect the environment. This course may be useful for Environmental Scientists because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their environmental properties.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Science Writer

Science Writers communicate scientific information to the public. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their properties and how to use this knowledge to explain complex scientific concepts to a lay audience. This course may be useful for Science Writers because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their properties.

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Forensic Scientist

Forensic Scientists analyze evidence from crime scenes to help solve crimes. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their physical and chemical properties and how to use this knowledge to identify and analyze evidence. This course may be useful for Forensic Scientists because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their physical and chemical properties.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications to patients and provide information about the medications. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their pharmacological properties and how to use this knowledge to ensure that patients receive the correct medications and dosages. This course may be useful for Pharmacists because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their pharmacological properties.

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Biochemist

Biochemists study the chemical processes that occur in living organisms. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their function in biological systems. This course may be useful for Biochemists because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their functions.

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Medical Scientist

Medical Scientists study the causes and treatments of diseases. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their biological properties and how to use this knowledge to develop new treatments for diseases. This course may be useful for Medical Scientists because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their biological properties.

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Analytical Chemist

Analytical Chemists study the composition of materials and substances. They understand the composition of substances in relation to their structures. This course may be useful for Analytical Chemists because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of different materials and substances.

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Chemist

Chemists study the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their chemical properties and how to use these properties to create new materials and products. This course may be useful for Chemists because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their chemical properties.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemist

Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat diseases. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their biological properties and how to use this knowledge to develop new treatments for diseases. This course may be useful for Physicians because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their biological properties.

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Quality Control Analyst

Quality Control Analysts ensure that products meet quality standards. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their properties and how to use this knowledge to ensure that products are safe and effective. This course may be useful for Quality Control Analysts because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their properties.

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Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists study the properties of materials and develop new materials for use in a variety of applications. They understand how the structure of molecules affects the properties of materials and how to use this knowledge to create new materials with desired properties. This course may be useful for Materials Scientists because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their properties.

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Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design and operate processes to convert raw materials into useful products. They understand how the structure of molecules affects their chemical properties and how to use these properties to create new materials and products. This course may be useful for Chemical Engineers because it helps build a foundation in understanding the structures of molecules and their chemical properties.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer