ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 27 Interactive Classroom: 21 Total: 51
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Organic Chemistry
Areas: Organic Chemistry
Center Faculty of Biology
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
• Know how to identify and describe the structure of organic molecules.
• Know how to identify and define functional groups.
• Know how to describe aspects of stereochemistry such as stereoisomerism.
• Know how to use chemical nomenclature.
• Know how to identify and define acid-base reactions and oxidation-reduction reactions.
• Know how to describe and apply the reactivity of chemical compounds.
THEORY PROGRAM:
27 lectures (E), 10 interactive seminars (S), and three group tutorials (T), all of which are in-person and do not require mandatory attendance.
These will cover the following topics in the approximate time indicated.
• Structure and properties of matter: atomic and molecular structure and states of aggregation (2 h E + 1 h S).
• Organic compounds: nomenclature, structure, and stereochemistry (6 h E + 2 h S).
• Water: solutions, acid-base reactions, and oxidation-reduction reactions (4 h E + 1 h S).
• Reactivity of hydrocarbons: saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons (2 h E + 1 h S).
• Reactivity of oxygenated organic compounds: alcohols, ethers, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives (6 h E + 3 h S).
• Reactivity of organic nitrogen compounds: amines, amides, and heterocycles (5 hours E + 2 hours S).
• Continuous assessment: individualized in-person and written resolution of questions and exercises corresponding to the sections indicated above (2 hours E).
• Three in-person tutorials per group dedicated to resolving doubts (3 hours T).
PRACTICAL PROGRAM: 6 hours of interactive laboratory classes and 5 hours of interactive computer classes per group, all in-person and with mandatory attendance.
• Preparation and titration of an acid solution.
• Synthesis of a carboxylic acid derivative: ethyl acetate.
• Extraction and identification of a natural product.
• ChemDraw and use of chemistry software.
FINAL EXAM: 3 hours long.
BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY
All basic study materials, particularly the theoretical content and exercises proposed for each topic, as well as a practice outline and links to online content, will be available in the course's virtual classroom.
For practical computer classes, students must also download the ChemDraw and Chem3D programs, for which the USC holds a Campus license, to their personal computers, following the instructions given in the virtual classroom.
COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THEORY
1. Chemistry for the Life Sciences
Second edition
Raul Sutton, Bernard Rockett & Peter Swindles
Intercentros Library, Lugo Campus, QUI 437
2. BIOS Instant Notes in Chemistry for Biologists
J. Fisher, J. R. P. Arnold, Julie Fisher, and John Arnold
https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezbusc.usc.gal/lib/buscsp/detail.acti…
3. Organic Chemistry with a Biological Emphasis
Timothy Soderberg
University of Minnesota Morris Digital Well 2016
https://sites.google.com/morris.umn.edu/timsoderberg/home/organic-chemi…
4. Virtual Textbook of Organic Chemistry
https://cv.usc.es/mod/url/view.php?id=1078424
SUPPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PROBLEMS
1. Chemistry problems for biology students
Mª Josefa Rodríguez Yunta, Lucrecia Campayo Pérez, Mª del Carmen Cano Benjumea, Ana Mª Sanz Plaza
Ed. Síntesis, D.L. 2013
ISBN 978-84-995886-8-1
Biology Library: A Q 71, A Q 71 A, and A Q 71 B
2. Interactive exercises: structure, nomenclature, mechanisms, and reactions.
https://cheminteractive.ie/
3. ChemTube3D: chemical structures and interactive animations of reaction mechanisms in 3D.
https://cv.usc.es/mod/url/view.php?id=1078425
ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR LABORATORY PRACTICES
1. Martínez Grau, Mª Á. and Csákÿ, A. G., “Experimental Techniques in Organic Synthesis,” Ed. Síntesis, Madrid, 2001–2008.
2. R.H. Petrucci, W.S. Harwood, and F.G. Herring, “General Chemistry,” 8th ed., Ed. Prentice Hall, 2003.
Knowledge/Content
• Con01: Understand the most important concepts, methods, and results of the different branches of Biotechnology.
Skills/Abilities
• H/D01: Think in an integrated manner and approach problems from different perspectives with critical reasoning.
• H/D02: Search, process, analyze/interpret, and synthesize relevant information and results from various sources and draw conclusions on topics related to Biotechnology.
• H/D03: Organize and plan work.
• H/D04: Interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
• H/D05: Work as a team.
• H/D06: Maintain an ethical commitment, as well as a commitment to equality and inclusion.
• H/D11: Understand and know how to apply the physical and chemical principles of biological processes with application in Biotechnology, as well as the main tools used to investigate them. • H/D12: Know how to apply instrumental techniques and work protocols in a laboratory, applying regulations and techniques related to safety and hygiene, waste management, and quality.
Competencies
• Comp01: Students must have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of study) to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific, or ethical issues.
• Comp02: Students must be able, both in writing and orally, to debate and convey information, ideas, problems, and solutions related to Biotechnology to both specialized and non-specialized/general audiences.
• Comp03: Students must have developed the learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy.
• Comp04: Students will be able to apply the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in the degree in a professional manner and will be competent in posing and solving problems, as well as in developing and defending arguments in both academic and professional contexts related to innovation and the biotechnology industry.
• Comp05: Study and learn independently, with time and resources, new knowledge and techniques in Biotechnology, and acquire the ability to work in a team.
The course will have a virtual classroom using the MOODLE platform, which will include all course materials, the timetable, links to websites of interest, etc., and which will be the preferred means of communication with students.
In lectures, in-person classes, and with non-mandatory attendance, the prevailing methodology will be the "lecture lecture." However, student participation will be encouraged in solving questions and exercises to apply and consolidate the concepts introduced. To the extent that students respond to the suggestion that they work on the content and concepts at home, and then proceed in class to resolve any questions and answer the aforementioned questions and exercises associated with said content, a "flipped classroom" methodology will also be applied. To this end, students will be provided with all necessary study materials prior to class through the virtual classroom, including essential, structured, and up-to-date information on each of the topics covered in this guide, as well as suggested questions and exercises to be completed.
In two of the lectures, students will complete individualized written exercises, each of which will contribute 1 point to their final grade.
Attendance at the lectures is optional, but failure to complete each of the two individualized written exercises will result in the loss of the point assigned to it in their final grade (for more details on assessment, please read the corresponding section in this guide).
In the face-to-face interactive seminar classes, students will be encouraged to solve questions and exercises/problems; attendance is optional.
The tutorial classes (attendance is not mandatory) will be dedicated to resolving doubts.
Attendance at both computer and laboratory exercises is mandatory; Its completion is a necessary condition for passing the course (more details in the assessment section of this guide).
Access to the laboratory for practical work may be conditional on passing a prior online exercise related to aspects such as safety regulations, materials, etc.
The student's overall grade for the course is a weighted average of the grades obtained for their performance on the final exam (70%), continuous assessment (20%), and practical exercises (computer and laboratory, 10%).
These instruments will be used to assess competencies and learning outcomes for the subject (Con01, H/D01, H/D02, H/D04, H/D05, H/D06, H/D11, H/D12, Comp01, Comp02, Comp03, Comp04, and Comp05).
FINAL EXAM
The final exam may include two eliminatory questions, announced during the course, related to very basic aspects of the subject. It will contribute up to 7 points out of 10 to the final grade. A minimum grade of 4 is required, to which the grades for the remaining assessed aspects will be added. To pass the course, a minimum overall grade of 5 must be obtained.
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
Two tests will be conducted during two of the lectures; they will contribute a total score of up to 2 points (1 point per test) to the final grade out of 10. The grade obtained in the tests will be applied to both the regular assessment and the second test.
Students with a justified reason are exempt from taking the tests: students who have been granted exemption from attending in-person classes or students who can provide documentary evidence of their inability to attend due to force majeure.
PRACTICAL WORK (computer and laboratory)
These will contribute to the final grade out of 10, with up to a maximum of 1 point. This is the sum of the evaluation of the work done during the practical work (up to 0.5 points) and the grade obtained on a final written practical exam (up to 0.5 points). This exam will be administered immediately after the final theory exam. This exam may include any concept related to the practical work or any technique/protocol used during the practical work. This exam will assess the student's understanding and retention of what has been learned.
Failure to attend the practical work will result in failure of the course: they will receive a maximum final grade of 4.0 (fail) out of 10.
Repeating students who have completed the practical work for this course in previous years will be exempt from repeating it; in this year, they will be assigned the same practical work grade they obtained previously.
FINAL GRADE
To pass the course, you must meet each and every one of the three requirements, A, B, and C, listed below:
A. Obtain a minimum score of 4 points out of 10 (2.8 points out of 7) on the final theory exam.
B. Obtain a final score of 5 points out of 10; the final score out of 10 is the sum of the exam scores (up to 2 points), the practical exam scores (up to 1 point), and the final theory exam scores (up to 7 points).
C. Complete the practical exams. The maximum final grade to be recorded on the course transcript for students who have not completed the practicals will be four points (fail) out of 10.
FRAUDULENT COMPLETION OF EVALUATION TESTS
For cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the "Normativa de avaliación do rendemento académico dos estudantes e de revisión de cualificacións” will apply; specifically:
"Fraudulent conduct in any exercise or test required for the evaluation of a subject will result in a failing grade in the corresponding session, regardless of the disciplinary process that may be pursued against the offending student."
Lectures: 27 hours
Interactive Seminars: 10 hours
Interactive Labs: 6 hours
Interactive Computer Classes: 5 hours
Group Tutorials: 3 hours
Exam and Review: 3 hours
Individual Work: 96 hours
TOTAL: 150 hours
Se recomienda encarecidamente:
• La asistencia a todas las clases.
• La participación activa en todas las clases.
• El trabajo continuado de la asignatura a lo largo del curso.
• El trabajo del contenido del cada clase con anterioridad a su celebración; en particular de los ejercicios y cuestiones. Este trabajo es fundamental para la comprensión de la materia y para la adquisición de las destrezas y habilidades que se requieren.
• El empleo de modelos moleculares y de programas informáticos de representación/visualización de moléculas en 2D y 3D.
The chemistry knowledge students may have gained from prior studies in Biology will undoubtedly facilitate passing this course, but it is not an essential requirement for addressing and passing it if students follow the instructions in this guide.
The course will have a virtual classroom using the MOODLE platform, which will include all course materials, calendars, links to websites of interest, etc., and which will be the preferred means of communication with students.
Ricardo Alonso Alonso
Coordinador/a- Department
- Organic Chemistry
- Area
- Organic Chemistry
- Phone
- 881814250
- r.alonso [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Maria Tomas Gamasa
- Department
- Organic Chemistry
- Area
- Organic Chemistry
- Phone
- 881815760
- maria.tomas [at] usc.es
- Category
- Researcher: Ramón y Cajal
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| Tuesday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| Wednesday | |||
| 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLIL_02 | Spanish | Faculty of Chemistry |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Spanish | Classroom 06. Diane Fosey and Jane Goodall |
| 13:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Spanish | Classroom 05 (video-conference). Rita Levi Montalcini |
| Thursday | |||
| 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLIL_03 | Spanish | Faculty of Chemistry |
| Friday | |||
| 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLIL_01 | Spanish | Faculty of Chemistry |
| 01.22.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 04: James Watson and Francis Crick |
| 06.26.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |