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Chemistry Undergraduate Program at the University of Cyprus
Contents
General Information
Credit Units, ECTS
Program of Study
Minor Program in Chemistry
Chemistry Courses Offered to Students of Other Departments
Description of Undergraduate Courses
Teaching Laboratory Equipment of the Department of Chemistry
Contact Persons
General Information
The Chemistry Undergraduate Program includes introductory Chemistry courses (Organic,
Inorganic, Analytical and Physical Chemistry), Physics, Mathematics and Information
Technology during the first four semesters. The last four semesters help the students to enrich
their knowledge in advanced concepts and current topics of Chemistry. During the last two
semesters, students work on their diploma thesis.
All degree courses are based on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
(ECTS) and gain between 5 (all electives) and 7 (all Advanced Chemistry Laboratories)
credits. The curriculum courses are either obligatory or electives. Electives are normally taken
during the last year of study. For completion of the requirements of the Chemistry degree, a
student should complete 10 credits (2 courses) from a foreign language course and 20 credits
(4 courses) from courses offered by other departments (University-wide electives), according
to the rules of the University of Cyprus. Each student chooses courses from other departments
with the help and approval of his/her academic advisor.
Course lectures are in Greek and the students must take a final exam for each course. The
final grade results from a combination of homework grades, intermediate (mid-term) exams,
literature projects or laboratory reports. There are no prerequisite courses, but in a series of
related courses (e.g., Inorganic Chemistry I, II, III), it is not possible to attend a class without
having attended the previous course of the series. The syllabus of the elective courses may
change, depending on the instructor.
At the theoretical level, Chemistry is taught with lectures that are complemented by
bibliographic studies and problem-solving sessions. Chemistry is, however, by nature an
experimental science. For this reason, the curriculum of the Department places strong
emphasis on laboratory courses, which are regarded as independent courses, and not as
complements to existing theoretical courses. Besides the seven laboratory courses that have
being offered for the past 7 years, the Chemical Technology Lab has been added to the new
ECTS Chemistry curriculum.
Obligatory courses are the major element of the undergraduate curriculum. These courses
equip Chemistry graduates with all the necessary tools for employment in the local market
(biochemistry labs, food analysis labs and industrial chemistry jobs). In order to achieve this
objective, courses such as Biochemistry, Food Chemistry and Chemical Technology have
been included as obligatory courses in the curriculum.
The Diploma thesis holds a special position in the undergraduate curriculum. During the
fourth year of studies, each student works for two semesters under the supervision of a
member of the teaching staff, studying one of the many individual projects proposed. During
the course of his/her Diploma work, the student learns to work independently, to solve
laboratory problems on a daily basis, to search, study and analyze scientific literature, to give
seminars to his/her fellow students in a clear and comprehensive way, and to present the
results and conclusions of the thesis work. Computers are used in all aspects of the thesis,
from data manipulation and evaluation to presentation of results to the final writing of the
thesis text. Although a Diploma thesis does not necessarily have to be original, students
usually work on original research topics that are related to the current research interests of
their thesis supervisors.
Credit Units, ECTS
The Chemistry Undergraduate Program has been based on the European Credit Transfer and
Accumulation System (ECTS) since September 2005. The basic goal of this System is the
development of a common methodology for the measurement of a student’s workload. One
important reason for the adoption of the ECTS in Europe is the existence of a uniform transfer
and accumulation system of credit units, which will correspond to each course, based on the
same requirements. This, in turn, will contribute to the establishment of a Single European
and Educational Place. The major use of ECTS, which is based on the information mentioned
above, has to do with the exchange of students. The exchange will be much easier since the
transfer of credit units from one educational system to another will not cause any problems.
Program of Study
(valid since September 2005)
COURSES 1 st YEAR
FALL SEMESTER
MAS 014 Introductory Mathematics I
6 ECTS
PHY 102 Physics for Chemists
6 ECTS
CHE 110 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory I 6 ECTS
CHE 111 Analytical Chemistry I
6 ECTS
CHE 121 Introductory Chemistry
6 ECTS
SPRING SEMESTER
CS 003 Computer Science & Information Systems 6 ECTS
MAS 015 Introductory Mathematics II
6 ECTS
CHE 122 Inorganic Chemistry I
6 ECTS
CHE 130 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
6 ECTS
CHE 131 Organic Chemistry I
6 ECTS
COURSES 2 nd YEAR
FALL SEMESTER
CHE 140 Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
6 ECTS
CHE 141 Physical Chemistry I
6 ECTS
CHE 210 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory II 7 ECTS
CHE 241 Quantum Chemistry
6 ECTS
Language Studies I
5 ECTS
SPRING SEMESTER
CHE 221 Inorganic Chemistry II
6 ECTS
CHE 230 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
7 ECTS
CHE 231 Organic Chemistry II
6 ECTS
CHE 242 Physical Chemistry II
6 ECTS
Language Studies II
5 ECTS
COURSES 3 rd YEAR
FALL SEMESTER
CHE 331 Organic Chemistry III
6 ECTS
CHE 340 Physical Chemistry Laboratory II
7 ECTS
CHE 341 Physical Chemistry III
6 ECTS
CHE 431 Biochemistry I
6 ECTS
University Elective I
5 ECTS
SPRING SEMESTER
CHE 311 Analytical Chemistry II
6 ECTS
CHE 320 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
7 ECTS
CHE 321 Inorganic Chemistry III
6 ECTS
CHE 441 Chemical Technology
6 ECTS
University Elective II
5 ECTS
COURSES 4 th YEAR
FALL SEMESTER
CHE 401 Chemistry Diploma Thesis I
3 ECTS
CHE 432 Biochemistry II
6 ECTS
CHE 440 Chemical Technology Laboratory
6 ECTS
Chemistry Elective Ι
Chemistry Elective ΙΙ
University Elective III
5 ECTS
5 ECTS
5 ECTS
SPRING SEMESTER
CHE 402 Chemistry Diploma Thesis II
6 ECTS
CHE 403 Chemistry Diploma Thesis Writing 3 ECTS
CHE 411 Food Chemistry
6 ECTS
Chemistry Elective ΙΙΙ
5 ECTS
Chemistry Elective ΙV
5 ECTS
University Elective IV
5 ECTS
CHEMISTRY ELECTIVES
CHE 412 Environmental Chemistry
CHE 413 Specific Topics in Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
CHE 414 Metallic Ions in Biological Systems, Environment and Health
CHE 421 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (Organometallic Chemistry)
CHE 422 Surface Chemistry
CHE 423 Bioinorganic Chemistry
CHE 433 Organic Photochemistry
CHE 434 Biochemical and Molecular Techniques
CHE 435 Retrosynthetic Analysis in Organic Chemistry
CHE 436 Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry
CHE 437 Introduction to Computational Chemistry
CHE 442 Special Topics in Physical Chemistry
CHE 443 Polymer Chemistry
CHE 445 Catalysis
CHE 446 Special Topics in Molecular Spectroscopy
Minor Program in Chemistry
The minor program in Chemistry includes 10 (ten) Chemistry courses (58-60 ECTS). These
courses constitute the one third of the major program in Chemistry. The minor degree in
Chemistry includes both mandatory and elective courses. The mandatory courses provide the
big picture of Chemistry, while the elective courses give to students the opportunity to focus
on topics that are more interesting to them.
There are four course categories in four different levels (the level is defined by the first digit
of the three-digit course code, i.e. 111 is a first-level course, while 411 is a fourth-level
course):
Category Α: 3 theoretical courses of level 1
Students should choose three of the five theoretical Chemistry courses with the code 1xy(x
and y are numbers from 0 to 9). The theoretical Chemistry courses of level 1 are the
following:





CHE 111 Analytical Chemistry I
CHE 121 Introductory Chemistry
CHE 122 Inorganic Chemistry I
CHE 131 Organic Chemistry I
CHE 141 Physical Chemistry I
Category Β: 3 laboratory courses of level 1
Students should take two laboratory Chemistry courses: one laboratory course of level 1 with
the code 1x0 and one laboratory course of level 2 or 3 with the codes 2x0 or 3x0. The
numbers x of the laboratory courses should be the same as the numbers xof the theoretical
courses taken from category Α, so that the laboratory courses are compatible with the
theoretical courses. The laboratory Chemistry courses are the following:
 CHE 110 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory I
 CHE 130 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
 CHE 140 Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
 CHE 210 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory II
 CHE 230 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
 CHE 320 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
 CHE 340 Physical Chemistry Laboratory II
Category C: 2 theoretical courses of levels 2 or 3
Students should choose three theoretical Chemistry courses that are compatible with those
taken from category Α and have codes 2xyor 3xy. When the courses have the same number x
are considered compatible. The theoretical Chemistry courses of levels 2 or 3 are the
following:
 CHE 221 Inorganic Chemistry II
 CHE 231 Organic Chemistry II
 CHE 241 Quantum Chemistry
 CHE 242 Physical Chemistry II
 CHE 311 Analytical Chemistry II
 CHE 321 Inorganic Chemistry III
 CHE 331 Organic Chemistry III
 CHE 341 Physical Chemistry III
Category D: 2 electives
Students should choose two Chemistry courses that can be:
a. 4 th-year Chemistry electives or mandatory courses with codes 4xy (with the approval of a
faculty member)
b. More courses from Category Α (codes 1xy)
c. More laboratory courses from Category Β with compatibility demands (codes 2x0 or 3x0)
d. More courses from Category C with compatibility demands (codes 2xy or 3xy)
For a better understanding, the following three examples are provided.
Example 1 (specialization in Inorganic Chemistry)
Category Α: CHE 121, CHE 122, CHE 141
CategoryΒ: CHE 140, CHE 320
CategoryC: CHE 241, CHE 221, CHE 321
CategoryD:CHE 422, CHE 423
Example 2 (specialization in Physical Chemistry)
Category Α: CHE 111, CHE 121, CHE 141
Category Β: CHE 140, CHE 340
Category C: CHE 241, CHE 242, CHE 341
CategoryD:CHE 441, CHE 445
Example 3 (specialization in Organic Chemistry)
Category Α: CHE 141, CHE 121, CHE 131
Category Β: CHE 130, CHE 230
Category C: CHE 221, CHE 231, CHE 331
CategoryD:CHE 433, CHE 435
Note: Courses with the code number z1ycorrespond to the analytical chemistry and the food science
areas, with the code z2y to the area of general and inorganic chemistry, with the code z3y to the
organic chemistry and the biochemistry areas, with the code z4y to the areas of physical chemistry
and chemical technology.
Chemistry Courses Offered to Students of Other Departments
Some of the first- and second-year courses are open as electives to students from other
departments. These courses are the following:
 CHE 111 Analytical Chemistry I (6 ECTS)
 CHE 121 Introductory Chemistry (6 ECTS)
 CHE 131 Organic Chemistry I (6 ECTS)
With the expected increase of academic personnel over the next few years, the Department of
Chemistry will certainly offer more courses to students of other departments in the future.
Description of Undergraduate Courses
CHE 110 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory I (6 ECTS)
Analytical Chemistry LAB I is a course of laboratory experiments focusing on classical
methods of chemical analysis. The main goal of the experiments is to introduce students to
analytical chemical laboratory work and way of thinking, and to provide skills for the
qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical species in laboratory and real samples. The
experiments cover the following analytical methods: 1) wet chemistry techniques of
qualitative analysis, 2) classical chromatographic techniques (separation of species by paper
and thin layer chromatography, and column ion exchange chromatography), 3) gravimetry, 4)
volumetry (acid-base, complexometric, argentometric and redox titrations) and 5) the
determination of nitrogen by Kjedahl.
CHE 111 Analytical Chemistry Ι (6 ECTS)
Errors and Statistical Evaluation of Analytical Data. Errors in Chemical Analysis. Application
of Descriptive and Inductive Methods of Statistics to Analytical Data. Pre-Analytical
Procedures. Classical and Modern Methods of Dissolution and Separation. Classical Methods
of Analysis. Chemical Equilibrium and Analytical Chemistry, Equilibria in Aquatic Solutions,
activity and pH. Simple and complex protolytes, Acid/Base Titrations Indicators and buffer
solutions, Titration Curves, Species Distribution Diagrammes, Nonaqueous Solutions of
protolytes. Complex Formation and Complexometric Titrations, Redox Reactions and Redox
Titrations, solubility of salts.
CHE 121 Introductory Chemistry (6 ECTS)
1. Atom (Hydrogen atom, atomic orbitals, polyelectronic atoms, electronic configuration,
periodic table, atom size, ionization energy, electron affinity, oxidation state, charge).
2. Chemical Bonds and Molecular Structure (Ionic and Covalent bonds, electron coupling,
electronegativity, molecular structure, Lewis structure, VSEPR theory, multiple bonds, Solid
State, Metallic Bond, liquid state, solutions, gas state).
3. Thermodynamics (Free energy, enthalpy, entropy, equilibrium, stoichiometry, definitions
of mole, pressure, volume, temperature and concentration, solution, chemical kinetics,
activation parameters).
4. Chemical reactions (acid base theories, chemical reactions, energy, basicity-acidity,
nucleophylicity-electrophylicity, potential definition, Nerst equation, redox reactions)
5. Applications (Descriptive chemistry of the elements, H 2SO 4, NH 3, Industrial
applications, Enviroment).
CHE 122 Inorganic Chemistry Ι(6 ECTS)
Periodic table of the elements, bonds in inorganic compounds, shapes of inorganic
compounds, bond polarity, electrical properties of inorganic solids. Crystal structures of
metals and simple ionic compounds (NaCl, CsI, CaF2, CdI2). Basic concepts in
crystallography. Thermodynamic properties of inorganic ionic materials. Systematic
chemistry of the elements of groups IA, IIA, IIIB, IVB and VIIB. Transition metal elements.
Theory of the structure of complexes.
CHE 130 Organic Chemistry Laboratory Ι(6 ECTS)
1) Separation-Purification Methods: Extraction (Separation of Organic Compound
Mixtures); Recrystallization; Distillation; Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC); Column
Chromatography. 2)Isolation of Natural Products: Isolation of Caffeine from Tea; Isolation
of Eugenol from Cloves; Isolation of (+)-Limonene from Orange Skin. 3) SyntheticMechanistic Organic Chemistry: Nucleophilic Substitution (Synthesis of Alkyl Halides
from Alcohols); Reaction of Alkyl Halides with NaI in Acetone Solvent (S N2 Reaction);
Reaction of Alkyl Halides with AgNO 3 in Ethanol Solvent (S N1 Reaction); Aldol
Condensation; Nitration of Benzoic Methylester; Synthesis of N-Benzylydene Aniline;
Photochemistry.
CHE 131 Οrganic Chemistry Ι(6 ECTS)
Fundamental concepts (atomic structure, chemical bonds, hybridization, molecular
properties). Stereochemistry (conformations, cis/trans isomerism, optically active compounds,
stereochemistry of reactions). Reaction mechanisms (nucleophilic substitution, elimination
reactions). Chemistry of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and alkyl halides. Organometallic
derivatives or alkyl halides.
CHE 140 Physical Chemistry Laboratory I (6 ECTS)
Temperature dependence of the viscosity of liquids. Phase diagram, liquification and critical
point. Use of molecular dynamics to study the states of matter. Study of Stirling cycle.
Thermochemistry at constant volume and constant pressure. Chemical equilibria of complexes
and indicators. Chemical Kinetics: (a) Study of a chemical reaction using volumetric
determination of the product. (b) Study of a hydrolysis reaction using spectroscopic
determination of the reactant. (c) Study of a saponification reaction using conductivity
measurements. (d) Study of self-catalyzed and oscillating reactions.
CHE 141 Physical Chemistry I (6 ECTS)
Ideal and real gases. Kinetic theory of gases. Intermolecular forces, elementary theory of the
liquid state. Introduction to Chemical Kinetics. Kinetics and Mechanism. Elementary
reactions and their orders. Integrated rate laws. Synthetic mechanisms. Internal energy, work
and heat. First law of thermodynamics. Thermochemistry. Thermodynamic and microscopic
definition of entropy. Second law of thermodynamics, spontaneous processes and thermal
cycles. Entropic calculations in physical and chemical processes. Third law of
thermodynamics. Combination of the first and second law and free energies.
CHE 210 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory II (7 ECTS)
Performance of quantitative analysis experiments by means of classical methods / techniques
of analysis, such as gravimetry and volumetric titrations (acid/base, redox, complexometric
and precipitation titrations and instrumental methods/techniques of analysis, such as gas and
liquid chromatography, UV-Vis Photometry, atomic spectroscopy (Flame Photometry and
Flame-AAS), electrochemical methods (potensiometry, conductivity). The experiments are
performed by two different methods (classical and instrumental) and the corresponding data is
statistically evaluated and compared.
CHE 221 Inorganic Chemistry ΙΙ(6 ECTS)
1. Bonding Models in Inorganic Chemistry (Ionic Bond, Lattice Energy, The Predictive
Power of Thermochemical Calculations on Ionic Compounds, Covalent Character in
Predominantly Ionic Bonds, Covalent Bond, Valence Bond Theory, Resonance, Formal
Charge, Molecular Orbital Theory, Symmetry of Molecular Orbitals and Overlap, Bond
Length-Ionization Energy-Electronic Affinity, Energy Diagrams of Molecular Orbitals of
Homonuclear and Heteronuclear Diatomic Molecules - Triatomic Molecules,
Electronegativity, Muliken – Jaffé Electronegativities, Group Electronegativity, Methods of
Estimating Charges).
2. The Structure and Reactivity of Molecules (The Lewis Structure, VSEPR Theory,
Molecular Orbitals and Molecular Structure, Structure and Hybridization, Nonbonded
Repulsions and Structure, Bond Multiplicity, Experimental Determination of Molecular
Structure, Simple Reactions of Covalently Bonded Molecules, Berry Pseudorotation)
3. The Solid State (The Structures of Complex Solids, Imperfections in Crystals, Conductivity
in Ionic Solids, Solids Held Together by Covalent Bonding, Band Theory, Impurity and
Defect Semiconductors, Solid-State Materials with Polar Bonds, High–Temperature
Superconductors).
4. Chemical Forces (Types of Chemical Forces, Hydrogen Bonding, Hydrates and Clathrates,
Effects of Chemical Forces on Melting and Boiling Points and Solubility of Solids).
5. Acid-Base Chemistry (Brosted-Lowry, Lux-Flood, Lewis, Usanovich, Definitions for
Acids and Bases, Solvent System Definition, Measures of Acid-Base Strength, Acid – Base
Strength in Gas Phase and in Nonpolar Solvents, Drago’s model for Acids – Bases
Interactions, Factors that Affect the Acids – Bases Strength, Definition and Classification of
Acids and Bases as Hard and Soft (HSAB), Acid – Base Strength and HSAB, Factors that
Affect HSAB, Electronegativity and HSAB).
6. Chemistry in Aqueous and Nonaqueous Solvents (Chemistry in Solutions of Liquid
Ammonia, Sulfuric Acid and Liquid Carbon Dioxide, Aprotic Solvents, Molten Salts, RoomTemperature Molten Salts, Electrochemical Potentials, Hydrometallurgy).
7. Inorganic Chains, Rings, Cages and Clusters (Homonuclear Chains, Silicate Minerals,
Heteronuclear Chains, Six- and Eight-membered Aromatic Rings, Other Heteronuclear Rings,
Cages, Boron Cage Compounds, Boranes, Carboranes, High Nuclearity Cages, Fullerenes,
Polyoxometallates, Heteropolyoxometallates, Metal Clusters).
AdvancedInorganicChemistry, CottonandWilkinson 6thEd.
CHE 230 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (7 ECTS)
Risk Evaluation: R and S risk and safety codes; COSHH compliance. Unknown
Identification: purification; spectroscopic analysis and identification; Laboratory Techniques:
azeotropic distillation use of Dean-Stark apparatus, vacuum distillation; vacuum sublimation;
short path distillation; microscale; multi-step synthesis; thin layer chromatography (TLC),
spectroscopic analysis 1H and 13C NMR, IR and UV. Project Synthesis: searching the
literature, Chemical Abstracts; planning and costing a 3-step synthesis; evaluating and
choosing best synthetic route based on cost and safety. Report Writing: journal format; use of
word processing and chemical drawing software.
CHE 231 Οrganic Chemistry ΙΙ(6 ECTS)
Carbonyl Chemistry: carbonyl character; nucleophilic addition to aldehydes and ketones;
chemistry of acetals and ketals; reaction of amino compounds with aldehydes and ketones;
reaction of nucleophiles with carboxylic acids and esters; enols and enolates; enol alkylation;
Aldol condensations and related reactions. Aromatic Chemistry: character and structure of
benzene; reactions of arenes; common electrophilic reactions; orientation of electrophilic
reactions; nucleophilic aromatic substitution; aromatic compounds; polycyclic compounds.
Pericyclic Chemistry: cycloaddition reactions; Woodward-Hoffman rules; electrocyclic
reactions; sigmatropic rearrangements.
CHE 241 Quantum Chemistry (6 ECTS)
Historical Background, the need for a quantum consideration of matter. The Rutherford
Model, Atomic Emission spectrum of Hydrogen, Rydberg formula, Photoelectric effect. The
Bohr atomic model. Wave nature of matter, De Broglie wavelength. Heisenberg uncertainty
principle. Stationary waves and Schrödinger equation.
Probabilities, expectation values and operators. Postulates of Quantum Mechanics. Particlein-a-box as a basic quantum mechanical model. Classic harmonic oscillator. Quantum
harmonic oscillator. Tunneling effects. Three-dimensional quantum chemical systems. Rigid
Rotor. Spherical harmonics, angular momentum and Hydrogen atom.
Complex quantum systems. Variational Principle and Perturbation Theory. Helium atom.
Electron spin. Pauli exclusion principle, many-electron atoms. Molecules and BornOppenheimer approximation. Valence Bond Theory. Molecular Orbital Theory and study of
simple molecules. Geometrical Character of s, p, d, f etc. orbitals. Bonding and anti-bonding
orbitals, Η2+, homonuclear and heteronuclear diatomic molecules. Polyatomic molecules,
hybridization states and connection to molecular geometry. Hückel Theory. RotationVibration spectra. Electronic Spectra, Franck-Condon principle.
Hartree-Fock theory, ab initio calculations, introduction to the main semi-empirical methods
of Quantum Chemical calculations.
CHE 242 Physical Chemistry II (6 ECTS)
Introduction to chemical thermodynamics. Chemical potential, fugacity and activity of gases,
liquids and mixtures. Solutions and mixtures, colligative properties. Thermodynamic and
practical equilibrium constants. Phase equilibria of pure substances. Vapor pressure. Phase
transitions. Gibbs’s phase rule. Vapor-liquid equilibria, distillation, azeotropic mixtures.
Electrolyte solutions, ionic strength. Electrolytic conductance. Galvanic cells, standard
electrode potentials and Nernst equation. Electrolysis and transference numbers.
Unimolecular reactions. Activated complex theory, dynamic potential surfaces and reaction
dynamics. Catalytic and enzymatic reactions. Introduction to dynamic electrochemistry.
CHE 311 Αnalytical Chemistry ΙΙ (6 ECTS)
1. Chemical Instrumentation: analytical instrument, evaluation criteria and evaluation
measures of an instrument, signal transformation, reduction of noise and amplification of
signal. 2. Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy: absorption and emission spectroscopy,
fluorescence spectroscopy, IR/FTIR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray spectroscopy,
Raman spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy. 3. Electroanalytical Chemistry: potentiometry,
coulometry, voltametry. 4. Separation Methods: gas chromatography, liquid chromatography,
capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography.
CHE 320 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (7 ECTS)
1. Main group chemistry. Synthesis and characterization of chlorotribenzyltin(IV) and
tri(propyloxy)borate
2. Vanadium Chemistry: Oxidation states, complexes, oxo and non oxo vanadium molecules.
Synthesis and characterization of bis(acetylacetonate)vanadyl(IV) and tris(catecholate)
anadium(IV) dis(triethylammonium). 3. Cobalt Chemistry: Synthesis, structure and kinetic
stability. Synthesis and characterization of tris(ethyldiamino)cobalt(III)chloride, [(-)Co(en)
3]I 3 .H 2O and [(+)Co(en) 3]Ι 3 .H 2O
4. Copper Chemistry: Dinuclear metal complexes, bioinorganic chemistry of copper.
Synthesis and characterization of aqueous copper(II) acetate, cis- and transbis(glycinate)(hydrate)copper(II).
5. Nickel Chemistry: Structure of Nickel complexes, electronic states. Synthesis and
characterization of bis(hydrate)bis(acetylactonate)nickel(II), H 2Salen and [Ni(salen)].
6. Reactivity of cobalt complexes, metal complexes as catalysts. Synthesis and
characterization of [Co(phen) 3]Br 2, [Co(phen) 3](BF 4) 3, [Co(phen) 3(quin) 3](PF 6) 3 and
1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-quinone (quin).
-Characterization of the compounds involves:
a) 1H, 13C, 119Sn, 11B NMR spectroscopy 1, 3, 5, 6, 7.
b) UV-Vis spectroscopy 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
c) ΙR spectroscopy 2, 4, 5, 6, 7
d) Magnetic Measurments 2, 4, 5
e) Cyclic Voltametry 2, 5
f) Polarometry 3
h) Conductivity 3, 6
j) Melting point 1, 7
CHE 321 Inorganic Chemistry ΙΙΙ(6 ECTS)
1. Coordination Chemistry, Bond, Spectroscopy, Magnetism (Valence bond theory, crystal
field theory, High-Low spin, symmetry, molecular orbitals, σ-, π- and δ- bonds, Infra Red
spectroscopy, Visible spectra of metal complexes, forbidden-allowed transitions, TanabeSugano diagrams, Visible spectra of non octahedral complexes, magnetic properties of
mononuclear complexes, magnetism of multinuclear compounds, macroscopic magnetic
properties).
2. Structure (Structure and isomerism of metallorganic molecules with coordination number
1-12, enatiomeric complexes, chelate ring isomerism, experimental distinction of
enantiomers, CD spectroscopy, chelate effect, macrocyclic ligands, crown ethers, selective
binding, template synthesis, catenates).
3. Reactions, Kinetics and Mechanisms (Substitution reactions of square planar compounds,
Trans effect, Substitution reactions of octahedral complexes, effect of crystal field
stabilization to the kinetics of metal complexes, substitution mechanisms, fluctional
complexes, redox reactions, inner-outer sphere mechanisms, electron transfer, electron
transfer in dinuclear complexes, mixed valence compounds, light induced catalytic reactions,
water oxidation, N 2 reduction.
4. Descriptive chemistry of transition metal, lanthanides and actinides (Periodic table,
oxidation states, chemistry of the various oxidation states of the metal ions, chemistry of the
heavier transition metals, bonding and structure of lanthanides and actinides, coordination
chemistry of lanthanides and actinides, visible spectroscopy and magnetic properties of
lanthanides and actinides, transuranium elements).
5. Multinuclear molecules, metal-metal bonds (Organometallic clusters, multiple metal-metal
bond, structure and reactivity of the metal-metal bond, Zintl salts, polyoxometalatesheteropoyoxometalates, NMR spectroscopy and electrochemistry of polyoxometalates,
Supermolecular inorganic chemistry, spectroscopy of supermolecular systems).
CHE 331 Οrganic Chemistry ΙΙΙ(6 ECTS)
Heterocyclic Chemistry: synthesis and chemistry of 5 - and 6 - membered rings: furan,
thiophene, pyrrole, pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline and indole. Organic Free Radical
Chemistry: radical mechanisms; functional group manipulation; C - C bond formation;
Alicyclic Chemistry: origin and types of ring strain; synthesis and chemistry of cyclopropane,
cyclobutane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, cycloheptane and medium ring synthesis.
CHE 340 Physical Chemistry Laboratory II (7 ECTS)
Dissociation constants for weak bases, partitioning equilibria, complex stability constants,
vapor-point elevation, freezing-point depression. Vapor-liquid equilibria. Study of a ternary
liquid mixture. Solubilization of pollutants in micelles of surface active substances. Surface
tension of solutions and mixtures. Electrochemical measurements with galvanic cells and their
applications. Polarography. Transference numbers and electrolysis. Atomic spectra with a
diffraction spectrophotometer. Vibration-rotation spectra using IR-Spectrometry. Quantum
calculations on conjugated systems of π-electrons using Hyperchem. Magnetic properties of
inorganic complexes. Light scattering from polymer solutions. Oxidation mechanism of
ascorbic acid. Enzymatic hydrolysis of esters. Study of fast reaction kinetics using the
stopped-flow method.
CHE 341 Physical Chemistry ΙΙΙ(6 ECTS)
Electromagnetic radiation and interaction with atoms and molecules. Molecular symmetry and
group theory. Quantum mechanical description of the rigid rotor. Rotational spectroscopy of
diatomic and polyatomic molecules. Selection rules. Quantum mechanical description of the
harmonic oscillator. Vibrational spectroscopy of diatomic and polyatomic molecules.
Vibrational-rotational spectra. Raman spectroscopy. Electronic spectroscopy: Pauli's
exclusion principle and Hund's rules. Franck-Condon principle. Fluorescence.
Phosphoresence. Introduction to lasers and applications. Photoelectronic spectroscopy UPS
and XPS. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Electron paramagnetic resonance
spectroscopy (ESR).
CHE 401 Chemistry Diploma Thesis Ι(3 ECTS)
The Diploma Thesis work is mandatory for obtaining the bachelor degree in Chemistry. In the
first part of diploma thesis work the student starts to work towards a given subject under the
supervisor of a faculty member. Emphasis is given to the bibliography search and mastering
of methods and techniques in the laboratory. At the end of semester, the students performance
is assessed by the supervisor and is given the grade “satisfactory” or “non satisfactory”. For
the latter case, the student must be registered in Diploma Thesis for two additional semesters.
The final grade of Diploma Thesis is given after completion of both CHE 401 and CHE 402.
CHE 402 Chemistry Diploma Thesis IΙ(6 ECTS)
This course is a continuation of CHE 401. In this part, the student works more towards
obtaining his/her experimental data, studies, discusses and presents the data in diagrams,
figures and tables.
CHE 403 Chemistry Diploma Thesis Writing (3 ECTS)
This course is a continuation of CHE 402, where at the end the student writes a report about
his/her Diploma Thesis work. In addition, the student gives an oral presentation in front of an
Examination Committee and must successfully answer various questions about his/her work.
CHE 411 Food Chemistry (6 ECTS)
Food and Nutrition - Energy Value. Water: Moisture determination methods. Lipids.
Technology of Oils and Fats. Aminoacids. Peptides - Proteins: The role of proteins in food
preparation. Proteins in various foods. Novel protein sources. Protein analysis methods.
Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides. Dietary fibers. Inorganic
constituents of foods. Vitamins: Fat and water soluble vitamins. Additives: Colors,
preservatives, antioxidants, emulsifiers, stabilisers. Flavor: Basic tastes, artificial flavors.
Non-desirable constituents in foods: Toxic substances derived from vegetable, animal and
microbiological sources or from environmental pollution or technology treatment.
CHE 412 Environmental Chemistry (5 ECTS)
Geochemical and Elemental Cycles. Atmospheric Phenomena and Related Chemical
Reactions. Aquatic Systems and Water/Wastewater Management. Soil Chemistry and Waste
Deposition in Geological Formations. Chemistry and Toxicity of Toxic Metals and
Xenobiotica. Analysis of Environmental Samples.
CHE 413 Specific Topics in Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis (5 ECTS)
Chromatographic Methods: High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and
Applications, Ion Chromatography, Size Exclusion Chromatography. Electrophoretic
Methods: Capillary Electrophoresis Sensors in Chemical Analysis: Chemical Sensors and
Biosensors Kinetic Methods of Chemical Analysis Fluoresence Methods: Application of
Fluorescent Tracers, Thermal Methods of Analysis.
CHE 414 Metallic Ions in Biological Systems, Environment and Health (5 ECTS)
The main purpose of the lecture is the presentation and description of bioinorganic systems in
relation to the structure and activity of inorganic elements in organisms. Specifically, this
lecture contains (a) systematic study of trace elements in biosystems (b) effect of trace
elements concentration in environment and health and (c) pharmaceutical chemistry of
inorganic compounds.
CHE 421 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (Organometallic Chemistry) (5 ECTS)
1. Some General Comments for Organometallic Chemistry (Definition, Historical
Background, Some Basic Principles in Organometallic Chemistry, Molecular Orbital Theory
and the 18-Electron Rule, Counting Electrons in Complexes, π-Βοnding, The Most Important
Applications of Organometallic Compounds).
2. Classification and Reactivity of Organometallic Metal Complexes (Metal Carbonyl
Complexes, Carbonyl Hydride Complexes, Nitrosyl Complexes, Dinitrogen Complexes,
Metal Alkyls, Carbenes, Carbynes and Carbides Alkyl Complexes, Nonaromatic Alkene and
Alkyne Complexes, Allyl Complexes, Pentadienyl Complexes, Metallocenes, Arene
Complexes, Substitution Reactions, Oxidative Addition, Reductive Elimination, Insertion and
Elimination, Nucleophilic and Electrophilic Attack of Coordinated Ligands).
3. Catalysis by Organometallic Compounds (Alkene Hydrogenation, Tolman Catalytic Loops,
Synthesis Gas, Hydroformylation, Monsanto Acetic Acid Process, The Wacker Process,
Synthetic Gasoline, Ziegler-Natta Catalysis, Immobilized Homogeneous Catalysts, A
Photodehydrogenation Catalyst ‘Platinum Pop’).
CHE 422 Surface Chemistry (5 ECTS)
Introduction: goal, definition of a surface, definition of porosity. Adsorption. Solid-liquid and
liquid-gas interface. Adsorption isotherms. Sorption. Solid-gas interface. BET theory and its
extensions. Characterization and measurement of porosity. Characterization methods for solid
surfaces: spectroscopy, photoelectronic spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, adsorption
methods, diffraction methods. Basic groups of porous materials and their applications.
CHE 423 Bioinorganic Chemistry (5 ECTS)
1. General Comments on Bioinorganic Chemistry (Definition, Historical Background, Some
Basic Principles in Bioinorganic Chemistry, Occurrence and Availability of Inorganic
Elements in Organisms, Biological Functions of Inorganic Elements, Biological Ligands for
Metal Ions, Amino acids, Peptides, Proteins, Glutathione, Coordination of Metal Ions by
Oligopeptides and Proteins, Tetrapyrrole Ligands and Other Macrocycles, Nucleobases –
Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids (RNA, DNA) as Ligands).
2. The Most Important Biological Functions of Metal Ions (Metalloporphyrins and
Respiration, Dioxygen Binding, Transport and Utilization, The Binding of Dioxygen to
Myoglobin, The Physiology of Myoglobin and Hemoglobin, Structure and Function of
Hemoglobin, Other Biological Dioxygen Carriers, Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll and the
Photosynthetic Reaction Center, Enzymes, Structure and Function, Inhibition and Poisoning,
Vitamin B 12 and the B 12 Coenzymes, Nitrogen Fixation).
3. The Biochemistry of Iron (Ferredoxins and Rubredoxins, Model Compounds, Availability
of Iron, Competition for Iron, Selective Binding of Iron, Siderophores, Iron Storage Proteins).
4. More Functions of Metal Ions in Biological Systems (Trace Elements in Biological
Systems, Environmental Chemistry of Metal Ions, Toxicity, Medicinal Chemistry, Chelate
Therapy, Antibiotics and Related Compounds).
CHE 431 Βiochemistry Ι(6 ECTS)
Nucleic Acids: Structure and biosynthesis. Replication, transcription and translation. Amino
Acids and Proteins: Peptide bond, primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of
proteins. Techniques for protein purification and characterisation. Hemoglobin: Structure,
function and human genetic disease of hemoglobin chains. Molecular diagnostics of human
genetic disease. Enzymes: kinetics of catalysis, regulation, co-enzymes. Sugars and
polysaccharides. Lipids and biological membranes. Metabolism: Overview of
thermodynamics, biological order and energy exchange. Krebs cycle. Electron transport and
oxidative phosphorylation. Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Lipid metabolism. Cholesterol
metabolism.
CHE 432 Βiochemistry ΙI (6 ECTS)
Advanced research and diagnostic techniques of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry.
Cytoskeleton: Structure, function, molecular physiology of muscle contraction and
intracellular transport. Nervous system: generation and propagation of nerve impulse,
neuromuscular junction, neurotransmitters. Signal transduction in intracellular
communication, second messenger systems, G protein-coupled receptors. Hormones:
molecular physiology of endocrine system, hormonal control circuitry, metabolic disorders.
Cancer and oncogenes: molecular physiology of carcinogenesis. Gene therapy: methodology
and current applications. Prions and disease. Cloning: Plants, animals, humans.
CHE 433 Organic Photochemistry (5 ECTS)
Qualitative molecular orbital description of electronic states. Absorption and emission of
light, Jablonski diagrams. Physical and Chemical properties of excited electronic states.
Mechanisms for excitation and decay of excited states. Photochemical reactions.
Photochemical synthesis of carbenes.
CHE 434 Biochemical and Molecular Techniques (5 ECTS)
An overview of current techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The theory as
well as concise protocols of various techniques will be described: cloning of DNA in plasmids
and bacteriophages, transformation and selection in bacteria, polymerase chain reaction
(PCR), Realtime PCR, DNA sequencing, genomic DNA preparation, Southern analysis,
production of genomic and cDNA libraries, RNA isolation, Northern analysis, RNase
protection, in vitro transcription, reverse transcription and RT-PCR, DNA Microarrays,
protein purification, Western analysis, coimmunoprecipitation, yeast two hybrid system,
Ribozymes, RNA interference, tissue culture and transfection techniques, gene expression in
mammalian cells, reporter assays, cell cycle analysis, growth curves, apoptosis, animal
studies. Current research articles will be presented and analyzed.
CHE 435 Retrosynthetic Analysis in Organic Chemistry (5 ECTS)
Basic principles; chemoselectivity; regioselectivity; strategy; C-C disconnections; two group
disconnections (Diels Alder reactions, 1,3-bifunctional groups, 1,5-bifunctional groups, 1,2bifunctional groups, 1,4-bifunctional groups); three-membered rings; four-membered rings;
five-membered rings; six-membered rings.
CHE 436 Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry (5 ECTS)
Classification of drugs; Protein and nucleic acids structure; Drug action at enzymes, receptors,
and nucleic acids (DNA/RNA); Drug development; Pharmacodynamics; Quantitative
Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR); Antibacterial agents; The peripheral nervous
system: Cholinergics, anticholinergics, and anticholinesterases; The opium analgesics;
Rational approach to drug design.
CHE 437 Introduction to Computational Chemistry
A general overview of computational methods and their applications in the prediction of
physicochemical properties of molecules. The lectures are supplemented by laboratory work
where students are trained to use a quantum chemical software. The course covers force
fields, semi-empirical, DFT and ab initio methods, the most common basis sets and
qualitative molecular orbital theory. Problems include the use of quantum chemical software
for structural optimization, IR spectrum prediction and visualization of eigenvectors,
computation of thermochemical properties, 3-D modeling of molecules and visualization of
molecular orbitals. An introduction to qualitative theoretical models for relating experimental
data with computed quantities is also provided.
CHE 440 Chemical Technology Laboratory (6 ECTS)
Analysis of continuous industrial distillation process: Theory – Lab exercise.
Chemical reactors (plug flow and continuous stirred tank reactors): Theory – Applications –
Lab exercise.
Desalination process of water: Theory of reverse osmosis – Lab exercise.
CHE 441 Chemical Technology (6 ECTS)
Mass balances under steady-state and non steady-state conditions.
Energy balances under steady-state and non steady-state conditions - Applications of mass
and energy balances. Fluid flow in pipes. Heat transfer under steady-state and non steady-state
conditions - Heat Exchangers.
Process analysis of sulphuric acid production.
Process analysis of cement production.
CHE 442 Special Topics in Physical Chemistry (5 ECTS)
Introduction: Polymers and Colloids. Liquid Adsorption Chromatography, High Pressure
Liquid Chromatography (LAC, HPLC) and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC).
Membrane osmometry, vapour pressure osmometry, viscometry. Analytical
Ultracentrifugation (AUC), Field Flow Fractionation (FFF), Capillary Hydrodynamic
Fractionation (CHDF). Light scattering (Dynamic Light Scattering, Static Light Scattering),
Χ-ray and Neutron Scattering (SAXS, WAXS, SANS). Microscopy Techniques:
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic
Force Microscopy (AFM). Determination of Glass Transitions of Polymers: Diastolometry,
Penetrometry, broadline NMR, Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Differential
Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Polymer characterization using Mass Spectrometry.
CHE 443 Polymer Chemistry (5 ECTS)
Introduction, nomenclature and uses. Condensation polymerization. Free-radical
polymerization. Ionic polymerization. Photolytic, electrolytic and radiation polymerizations.
Polymerization of cyclic organic compounds. Modification reactions of synthetic polymers.
Biological polymers and their chemical reactions. Polymers containing inorganic elements.
Relationship between macromolecular structure and properties. Electroactive polymers.
Biomedical applications of synthetic polymers.
CHE 445 Catalysis (5 ECTS)
Concepts and terms describing the catalytic phenomenon and the causes of its origin.
Concepts and terms related to the texture and structure of supported metal catalysts. Basic
concepts related to the chemical adsorption and desorption processes associated with a solid
surface - Temperature-programmed desorption techniques.
Preparation and characterization methods of supported catalysts. Environmental catalysis:
Modern de-pollution technologies (air and water pollution). Mechanisms of heterogeneous
catalytic reactions.
CHE 446 Special Topics in Μolecular Spectroscopy(5 ECTS)
Introduction to Lasers: Οperation, Q-switching, mode-locking, examples of lasers, Raman
Spectroscopy: Basic theory: origin of Raman spectra, selection rules, depolarization ratios,
symmetry and selection rules, Resonance Raman spectra, calculation of force constants via
normal coordinate analysis, band assignments, Experimental setups and considerations,
Special techniques of Raman spectroscopy: High-Pressure Raman spectroscopy, Raman
microscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, Time-Resolved Raman spectroscopy,
matrix-isolation Raman spectroscopy, 2D Correlation Raman spectroscopy, Raman imaging
spectrometry, Non-linear Raman spectroscopy. Applications of Raman: spectroscopy in
various chemical fields, Materials, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Medicine,
Industry, Environment.
Teaching Laboratory Equipment of the Department of Chemistry
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300 MHz Avance Bruker NMR Spectrometer
Gas Chromatograph
Liquid Chromatograph
Conductivity Meter
pH Meter
Refractometer
Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
Flame Photometer
UV-Vis Spectrometer
IR Spectrometer
Rotary Evaporator
Electrochemical System
Contact Persons
For any problem or question, undergraduate students and candidates for undergraduate studies
may contact the Departmental Undergraduate Program Coordinator. The current coordinator
of the program is:
Associate Professor Anastasios D. Keramidas
Tel.: 22 892764
E-mail: [email protected]
Alternatively, the Secretaries of the Department may be contacted on:
Tel.: 22892780 / 22892800
Fax.: 22892801
Website: http://www.ucy.ac.cy/~chemweb/