After completing this course students are able to:

Chemistry is the science which describes the composition of matter and its transformations. For the simple reason that everything consists of matter, knowledge of chemistry enables us to understand the world around us and beyond. This does not only concern lifeless matter; the living world is also regulated by chemical processes. As a science, chemistry firstly deals with the description and understanding of the structure, function, and properties of matter. In addition to this descriptive part, chemical sciences involve the development of novel compounds, materials, processes and methods.

This introductory course presents an overview of chemistry and lays the foundations considering its central concepts. It starts with a description of the quantum world by describing the structure of atoms and elements and the role of electrons in chemical bonding. Then the energetics associated with chemical processes and chemical equilibria are studied as well as the role of entropy, a discipline called thermodynamics. The course ends with the treatment of organic (i.e., carbon based) chemistry and its relevance for biological compounds. Throughout the course attention is paid to the connection of the subject matter with materials science and its biochemical or biological relevance.

Format
There are two meetings each week, each a combination of lecturing and solving exercises and problems. During the course, instrumental techniques which are important within chemistry are addressed by means of a written essay and poster presentations.