Application deadline

Type of course

Theoretical subject. The course is available as a singular or elective course independent of study program, also to exchange students.

The course is offered on condition that a minimum number of students register for the course.

Admission requirements

PhD students or holders of a Norwegian master´s degree of five years or 3+ 2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted. Valid documentation is a statement from your institution that you are a registered PhD student, or a Master´s Diploma with Diploma Supplement / English translation of the diploma. PhD students are exempt from semester fee. PhD students at UiT The Arctic University of Norway register for the course through StudentWeb. External applicants apply for admission through SøknadsWeb. Application code 9303.All external applicants have to attach a confirmation of their status as a PhD student from their home institution. Students who hold a Master of Science degree, but are not yet enrolled as a PhD-student have to attach a copy of their master's degree diploma. These students are also required to pay the semester fee.

Knowledge of organic chemistry (intermediate level), spectroscopy (basic), kinetics (basic) and thermodynamics (basic). Proficiency in English.

Course content

The course will cover theory of organic chemical reactions as well as a thorough survey of important organic reactions. The lectures will be supplemented by compulsory exercises. The course is divided into two major parts:

• Physical organic chemistry and
• Organic reactions.

Part I:  Physical organic chemistry:

   * Chemical bonding and interactions.

   * Conformational analysis and consequences for reactivity

   * Stereochemistry

   * Reactive intermediates (carbenium, carbanions, free radicals, carbenes)

   * Kinetics and thermodynamics of organic reactions

   * Catalysis

   * Acids and bases

   * Organic photochemistry

Part II: Organic reactions:

   * Oxidations and reductions

   * Enolate chemistry

   * Select ring-forming reactions

   * Alkene synthesis

   * Conjugate additions

   * Rearrangements

Objectives of the course

Knowledge:

The student...

- will have advanced knowledge of important concepts in physical organic

   chemistry.

- will understand how molecular structure determines chemical and physical

   properties of organic substances.

- will be familiar with the principles of organic computational chemistry and

   able to determine and evaluate stationary points, frontier orbitals and

   frontier density plots.

- will be familiar with identification and influence of stereochemistry in

   molecules (CIP rules, relative stereochemistry, symmetry and point groups)

- will have advanced knowledge of mechanistic analysis of organic reactions.

The student will be able to...

- analyze contemporary mechanistic data for organic reactions

- use computational chemistry to calculate molecular properties and

thermodynamic/kinetic parameters for organic reactions.

- assess the influence of various aspects of chemical structure on reactivity

- recognize common patterns and reactivity principles in organic chemistry

- recognize important syntetic reactions and understand their underlying

    mechanism

Competence:

The student...

- can apply his/her knowledge and skills developed in this course to solve a

   variety of advanced mechanistic and synthetic problems in organic

   chemistry.

- can accurately communicate chemical terms, theories and topics related

   to the material covered in this course.

- can analyze advanced scientific literature in organic chemistry.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Assessment

The overall course grade is based on a written 4-hour final exam. Lettergrades (A-F). Theoretical exercises, a literature analysis and a special topic presentation are work requirements to be completed before the candidate can take the written exam.

Candidates who receive an F (fail) can sign up for the exam again next semester. However, it is recommended to re-take the entire course.