Chemistry for Health Science Students

Course Description

An introduction to chemistry, organic chemistry, and biological chemistry for students in nursing and other health science programs. This course expands on foundational knowledge of physiological processes and treatment modalities in human beings. A case study approach will be integrated into the course. 

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

a) Perform basic chemical calculations.

b) Utilize appropriate chemical terminology.

c) Determine the structure of atoms, ions and isotopes.

d) Explain the relationship between pH and acid/base concentration.

e) Name basic inorganic and organic compounds.

f) Explain the behavior of gases and the gas laws.

g) Explain the composition of solutions.

h) Discuss the difference between inorganic and organic compounds.

i) Draw standard organic structures.

i) Explain the properties of organic compounds in terms of structure and functional group.

j) Explain the structure and uses of carbohydrates, lipids, protein and enzymes.

k) Identify nuclear particles and their accompanying decay reactions.
l) Apply basic laboratory techniques. 

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:

1. Explain the difference between chemical and physical changes.

2. Utilize the Scientific Method.

3. Identify the units of measurement in the SI (Standard International) system.

4. Perform dimensional analysis.

5. Identify the states of matter.

6. Relate density, mass and volume.

7. Explain the various forms of energy.

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:

1. Classify the types of matter.

2. State the postulates of Dalton’s Atomic Theory.

3. Calculate the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom.

4. Calculate the number of neutrons in an isotope.

5. Calculate the number of electrons in an ion.

6. Explain the properties of the major regions of the Periodic Table.

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:

1. Explain the difference between ionic and covalent bonding.

2. Determine the formula of an ionic compound.

3. Name simple ionic compounds.

4. Name simple acids.

5. Name simple covalent compounds.

1. Balance a chemical reaction.
2. Calculate the molecular weight of a compound.
3. Perform chemical calculations based on a balanced chemical reaction.
4. Convert grams to moles and relate this calculation to a dosage calculation. 

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:

1. Explain the four basic gas laws.
2. Perform calculations using the ideal gas law.
3. Use Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures to identify gas mixtures.

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:

1. Identify the different types of solutions.
2. Identify the characteristics of a solution.
3. Discuss the factors affecting solubility
4. Understand the meaning of concentration units.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Explain the different definitions of an acid and a base.
2. Differentiate between strong and weak acids/bases.
3. Identify a conjugate acid and a conjugate base.
4. Explain the acid and base properties of water.
5. Define pH
6. Identify the components of a buffer and their function

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Explain the difference between organic and inorganic compounds
2. Draw accurate structural formulas for organic compounds.
Chapter 11: Alkanes
At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Identify the alkanes and cycloalkane functional groups.
2. Name alkanes using IUPAC nomenclature.

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Name alkene compounds.
2. Name alkyne compounds.
3. Discuss cis/trans isomerism.
4. Identify the structure of benzene.
5. Name aromatic compounds and their derivatives.

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Explain the difference between the structure of alcohols and ethers.
2. Name alcohols and ethers,
3. Discuss the properties of some important alcohols and ethers.

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Define and amine.
2. Name simple amines
3. Discuss the physical properties of amines

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Name aldehydes and ketones.
2. Identify the structures of the different carbonyl compounds.
3. Discuss the physical properties of aldehydes and ketones.

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Name carboxylic acid compounds.
2. Discuss the physical properties of carboxylic acids.
3. Explain the difference between a soap and a detergent.

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Identify the anhydride, ester and amide functional groups.

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Draw Fisher projections of D and L monosaccharides
2. Draw a Haworth projection
3. Identify characteristic reactions of monosaccharides
4. Identify di-, poly- and oligosaccharides.

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Explain the three different types of lipids.
2. Identify the structure and properties of triglycerides.
3. Discuss the structures of complex lipids.
4. Identify the major types and behaviors of common steroids.

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Explain the functions of proteins, amino acids and Zwitterions.
2. Explain how amino acids combine to form proteins.
3. Discuss the structure and function of proteins.
4. Explain what is meant by a denatured protein.

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Identify, name and classify enzymes.
2. Explain how enzymes function.
3. Discuss how enzymes are regulated and utilized. 

At the conclusion of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Identify an alpha, beta and gamma particles and the positron.
2. Balance common decay reaction.
3. Calculate the half-life of an isotope.
4. Explain the difference between fission and fusion.