Faculty of Health Sciences · Nutrition and Dietetics · Undergraduate
Course Objective
To provide students with fundamental concepts of chemistry, including the structure of matter, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, solutions, and acid-base equilibrium; to introduce the chemistry of organic compounds and biomolecules that form the foundation of nutritional science; and to teach laboratory safety, measurement, solution preparation, titration, qualitative analysis skills, and scientific report writing.
Course Content
This course covers the properties and measurement of matter, atomic structure and periodic properties, chemical bonding and intermolecular forces, chemical compounds and reactions, stoichiometry, aqueous solutions and concentration, acid-base equilibrium and buffers, chemical equilibrium, oxidation-reduction reactions, an introduction to organic chemistry, and the basic chemistry of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. The theoretical topics are reinforced through laboratory applications conducted in parallel.
Required Resources
Petrucci, R. H., Herring, F. G., Madura, J. D., & Bissonnette, C. (2017). General chemistry: Principles and modern applications (12th ed.). Pearson.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Explains the structure of matter, periodic properties, and types of chemical bonds.
- Performs stoichiometric calculations on chemical reactions using the concept of the mole.
- Prepares solutions of different concentrations and performs concentration calculations.
- Relates the concepts of acids and bases, pH, and buffers to biological and nutrition-related systems.
- Recognizes the basic chemical structures and properties of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
- Conducts basic experiments in accordance with laboratory safety rules, evaluates experimental data, and prepares scientific reports.
Core Area Distribution
Teaching Methods
Assessment & Evaluation
ECTS / Workload
| Activity | Quantity | Duration (h) | Total Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Duration (Including Exam Week) | 12 | 2 | 24 |
| Out of Class Study Period | 14 | 4 | 56 |
| Midterm | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Quiz | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Assignment | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Practice | 12 | 2 | 24 |
| Final | 1 | 6 | 6 |
Course Schedule
| Week | Subject | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Theoretical: Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry: Classification of Matter, Physical and Chemical Properties; Measurement, Systems of Units, and Significant Figures Laboratory: Laboratory Safety Rules | Review of the relevant textbook section and laboratory experiment handout |
| 2 | Theoretical: Atomic Structure and the Development of Atomic Theory; Subatomic Particles, Isotopes and Atomic Mass; Electronic Structure of the Atom; The Periodic Table and the Study of Periodic Properties Laboratory: Introduction to Basic Laboratory Equipment | Review of the relevant textbook section and laboratory experiment handout |
| 3 | Theoretical: Types of Chemical Bonds (Ionic, Covalent, and Metallic) and Bonding Theories Laboratory: Techniques for Separating Homogeneous Mixtures | Review of the relevant textbook section and laboratory experiment handout |
| 4 | Theoretical: Molecular Geometry, Polarity, and Intermolecular Interactions; Hydrogen Bonding and the Structural Properties of Water Laboratory: Techniques for Separating Heterogeneous Mixtures | Review of the relevant textbook section and laboratory experiment handout |
| 5 | Theoretical: Naming Chemical Compounds, Chemical Formulas, and the Concept of the Mole Laboratory: Determination of the Densities of Solid and Liquid Substances | Review of the relevant textbook section and laboratory experiment handout |
| 6 | Theoretical: Chemical Reactions, Balancing Chemical Equations, and Stoichiometric Calculations Laboratory: Solution Preparation and Molarity Calculations | Review of the relevant textbook section and laboratory experiment handout |
| 7 | Public Holiday | Public Holiday |
| 8 | Mİd-term Exam | Mid-term Exam |
| 9 | Theoretical: Aqueous Solutions, Solubility, and Units of Concentration (Molarity, Mass Percentage, ppm) Laboratory: Acid-Base Titrations | Review of the relevant textbook section and laboratory experiment handout |
| 10 | Theoretical: Acids and Bases; pH–pOH Concepts, Acid-Base Strength, and Neutralization Reactions; Acid-Base Equilibria, Buffer Solutions, and pH Balance in Physiological Systems Laboratory: Investigation of the Effect of Salivary Amylase | Review of the relevant textbook section and laboratory experiment handout |
| 11 | Theoretical: Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Reactions and the Concept of Antioxidants Laboratory: Determination of Fatty Acids | Review of the relevant textbook section and laboratory experiment handout |
| 12 | Theoretical: Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons and Functional Groups Laboratory: Determination of Salt Content in Cheese | Review of the relevant textbook section and laboratory experiment handout |
| 13 | Theoretical: Basic Chemistry of Biomolecules: Carbohydrates and Lipids Laboratory: Quantitative Analysis of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) | Review of the relevant textbook section and laboratory experiment handout |
| 14 | Theoretical: Proteins and Amino Acids Laboratory: Determination of Lactic Acid in Milk | Review of the relevant textbook section and laboratory experiment handout |
| 15 | Final Exam | Final Exam |
| 16 |