KJM1003 – Chemistry for biologists
Course description
Course content
Which principles underlie the basic building blocks of life? How can enzymes transform millions of molecules every single second? Is a tree really built from CO? and water? And what mechanisms are behind coral bleaching?
The dynamics and interactions between organisms are closely tied to chemical signals, the composition of gases in the atmosphere, and the availability of nutrients. From the first primitive cells that adapted to Earth’s early, inhospitable atmosphere to modern plant cells that convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into complex organic molecules, chemical balance has been crucial for the survival, development, and adaptation of organisms.
By understanding the chemical principles behind life’s structure, function, and interactions, we can better comprehend how organisms work down to the atomic level, as well as how species have evolved and coexist in complex ecological networks. To grasp these processes, we need knowledge of chemistry. This course provides an introduction to fundamental concepts in chemistry that are essential for understanding biological processes.
Learning outcome
After completing the course, you will be able to:
? use the periodic table and Bohr’s atomic model to explain the properties of the elements
? describe different types of forces between atoms, ions, and molecules, and assess the properties of substances using knowledge of chemical bonding
? use knowledge of biogeochemical cycles to evaluate impacts on ecosystems and the biosphere
? explain and discuss factors that influence reaction rates in biological systems
? perform stoichiometric calculations and apply these calculations in practical laboratory work
? describe different types of chemical reactions, and use calculations to explain how chemical equilibria can be affected by change
? describe various properties of acids, bases, and buffers in biological systems
? explain and apply thermodynamic concepts to assess spontaneity in biochemical reactions
? describe the structure and properties of key groups of organic compounds and use reaction mechanisms to explain organic reactions
? use basic laboratory techniques, assess risk, prepare and carry out simple experiments, and use a lab journal as a documentation tool.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Before you can attend the mandatory laboratory courses, you have to have passed the following courses:
Recommended previous knowledge
Basic chemistry (e.g. Kjemi 1) from Upper Secondary School.
Overlapping courses
- 7 credits overlap with KJM1002 – Introduction to Chemistry (discontinued).
- 5 credits overlap with KJM1101 – Generell kjemi.
- 5 credits overlap with FARM1100 – Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
Teaching
The course duration is one semester and the teaching consists of:
- 4 hours of lectures each week
- 2 hours of exercise each week
- a mandatory laboratory course of 4 exercises (16 hours).
The laboratory course must be approved prior to the final examination.
A completed and approved laboratory course is valid for six semesters beyond the semester it was approved. After this period, you must complete the laboratory course again to be able to sit for the final examination.
You must be able to show documentation that you have passed the HSE courses on the first lab exercise.
It is mandatory to attend the first lecture (including students on the waiting list). If you are unable to attend the first lecture, you must notify the Department of Chemistry before the start of the lecture, otherwise your course registration will be cancelled.
Attendance at the laboratory course is mandatory. If you are prevented from meeting, you have to show documentation that you were legally absent (medical note from a doctor or similar).
As?the?teaching involves laboratory and/or field work, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance.?Read about your insurance cover as a student.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
- Final written exam (4 hours) which counts 100 % towards the final?grade.
This course has mandatory exercises that must be approved before you can sit the final exam.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: KJM1002 – Introduction to Chemistry (discontinued)
Examination support material
Calculator.
The calculator must fulfill the requirements specified by The Department of Mathematics (only in Norwegian).
Language of examination
You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.