Explore the organic chemistry behind perfume, medicine, brewing and sport from one of the UK's leading universities. This free online course explores a range of chemistry-based topics relating to our everyday lives, with an emphasis on the important role of organic chemistry – the study of carbon-containing organic compounds.
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Activities include experimenting ‘in the kitchen’ with hands-on projects ranging from extracting a plant fragrance, to testing the activity of spices against microbes. The course will be particularly useful for sixth formers who are interested in developing independent learning skills to help the transition to university.
Use real-life examples to study organic compounds
During each week of the course, we will use real-life examples to show you how an understanding of the structure and shape of organic compounds can be used to explain their reactivity and properties.
Week 1: The chemical attraction of perfumes and pheromones
We’ll identify a range of natural and synthetic attractants; understand current theories that help to explain how chemical structure is related to smell; and make a molecular model.
Week 2: The race for new antibiotics
We’ll describe the mode of action of antibiotics; understand bacterial resistance; identify promising new areas of research to design smarter drugs; and explore pattern recognition in structure-activity relationships.
Week 3: The chemistry of brewing
We’ll describe the process of brewing; identify key flavouring compounds in beer, tea and coffee; understand the role of modern analytical methods; and analyse spectroscopic data.
Week 4: The chemistry of sport
We’ll explore innovations that are changing the game; identify modern materials that improve performance and aid protection; and model the structures of polymers.
What topics will you cover?
- Chemical attraction - perfumes and pheromones
- The race for new antibiotics
- Understanding brewing
- Chemistry in sport - innovations that are changing the game
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...
- Identify a range of natural and synthetic attractants
- Discuss current theories that help to explain how chemical structure is related to smell
- Describe the mode of action of antibiotics and understand bacterial resistance
- Describe promising new areas of research to design smarter drugs
- Engage with the process of brewing, and identify key flavouring compounds
- Discuss the role of modern analytical methods
