Organic Chemistry

This course of Organic Chemistry in English was first given in the fall semester of 2008 at the College of Chemistry in Peking University. This is an undergraduate student class for chemistry majors from the college of Chemistry and Yuan Pei College at Peking University. It is also available as an optional course to the undergraduate students from other colleges and departments. Around 40 students register for the class every year, including a number of international students from the college of chemistry.

Name: Organic Chemistry I & II (English Version)
Instructor: Prof. Yuguo Ma, Prof. Dahui Zhao
Credit: 3 + 2
Semester: Fall (I) Spring (II)
Requirment: Native English Speaker or English as First Foreign Language

Course Goals:

At the end of the course each student should be able to:
1. gain knowledge of the history of organic chemistry and nomenclatures used in organic chemistry;
2. master the basic concepts, theories, reactions, and methodologies;
3. explain the relationship between structure and physical and chemical properties and how to make predictions concerning these properties;
4. propose reasonable mechanism for organic reactions and to make predictions on the outcome of new reactions;
5. design synthetic route for organic compounds and think creatively about synthesis;
6. appreciate the important role of organic chemistry in life, both biological and economical.

Course Content:


1. Introduction of Organic Chemistry (1h)
2. Structure and Bonding (2h)
3. Polar Covalent Bonds: Acids and Bases (2h)
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes (4h)
5. Alkenes and Alkynes (6h)
6. Stereochemistry (3h)
7. Alkyl Halides (5h)
8. Structure Determinataion (5h)
9. Benzene and Aromatic Compounds (6h)
10. Alcohols, Phenols, Ethers, and Epoxides (6h)
11. Aldehydes and Ketones (6h)
12. Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives (9h)
13. Orbitals and Organic Chemistry: Pericyclic Reactions (4h)
14. Amines and Heterocycles (6h)
15. Biomolecules: Carbohydrates (3h)
16. Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins (2h)
17. Lipids and Nucleic Acids (1h)
18. Synthetic Polymers (1h)

Gradings:

1. Homework, quiz, discussion, essays: 40%
2. Final Exam: 60%