Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
CHEM1042 General chemistry I (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Chemistry Quota 450
Course Co-ordinator Dr A T L Li, Chemistry < litla@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr A T L Li,Chemistry)
Course Objectives The course aims to provide students with a solid foundation of the basic principles and concepts of chemistry. It also provides students with hands-on training of basic laboratory skills and techniques including volumetric analysis, preparation, purification and characterization of chemical substances and some basic instrumental methods. Students will be equipped with a good foundation of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for further studies in Chemistry.
Course Contents & Topics 1. Atoms: the quantum world
Electromagnetic radiation and matter; Planck's quantum theory; the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom; the quantum mechanical model of the atom; quantum numbers, energy levels, and atomic orbitals; shapes of atomic orbitals; electron configurations; periodic trends.
2. Chemical bonding and structures
Review on covalent, ionic and metallic bond. Molecular structures (VSEPR, VB theory) and intermolecular forces.
3. Thermodynamics
Heat, work, internal energy and enthalpy; the First Law of thermodynamics; Hess's Law; introduction to entropy and spontaneity of changes.
4. Chemical kinetics
Reaction rate; factors that influence reaction rate; rate laws: differential and integrated rate laws; effects of temperature and catalysts in reaction rate; energy profile and reaction mechanisms.
5. Acid-base equilibria
Acid-base concepts; strength of acids/bases; equilibria in solutions of weak acids/bases; ionisation constants; acid-base properties; molecular structure and acid-base behaviour; buffer solutions; acid-base indicators; volumetric analysis involving acids and bases
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of the microscopic nature of atomic structure and concepts of chemical bonding and their relationships with the bulk properties of matter
CLO 2 demonstrate knowledge and understanding in relation to thermodynamics and kinetics of reactions as well as aqueous equilibria including acid-base equilibria
CLO 3 apply the theories and concepts introduced in the course to solve problems, perform calculations, make predictions and rationalize trends
CLO 4 carry out chemical experiments with proper procedures, record experimental oberservations accurately, and interpret and evaluate the experimental data
CLO 5 organize and present chemical ideas in a clear, logical and coherent way
CLO 6 demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the relevant applications of chemistry in society and in everyday life
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Level 3 or above in HKDSE Chemistry or equivalent or a pass in CHEM1041.
Not for students having taken any level 1 Chemistry course (except for CHEM1041) or above or any equivalent Chemistry course.
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2025 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Minor in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Minor in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Minor in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Minor in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Environmental Science ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Minor in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2025 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2025 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,4,5 >
2025 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,4,5 >
2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 4 >
2025 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2 >
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2024 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,4,5 >
2024 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,4,5 >
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 4 >
2024 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2 >
2024 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3 >
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2023 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,4,5 >
2023 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,4,5 >
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 4 >
2023 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2 >
2023 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3 >
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2022 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,4,5 >
2022 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,4,5 >
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 4 >
2022 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2 >
2022 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3 >
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2021 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2021 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,4,5 >
2021 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,4,5 >
2021 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 4 >
2021 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2 >
2021 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3 >
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        1st sem    2nd sem    Examination Dec    May     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show thorough grasp of the subject. Demonstrate strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Show highly effective lab skills and techniques. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show substantial grasp of the subject. Demonstrate evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Show effective lab skills and techniques. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show general but incomplete grasp of the subject. Demonstrate evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Show moderately effective lab skills and techniques. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show partial but limited grasp, with retention of some relevant information, of the subject. Demonstrate evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Demonstrate partially effective lab skills and techniques. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of little or no grasp of the knowledge and understanding of the subject. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Demonstrate minimally effective or ineffective lab skills and techniques. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Laboratory 24.0
Lectures 24.0
Tutorials 6.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Examination 50.0 1,2,3,5,6
Laboratory reports including lab-class performance & pre-lab assignments 30.0 1,2,3,4,5,6
Test (or Assignment) 20.0 1,2,3,5,6
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 (Textbook for the course) Petrucci; Herring; Madura; Bissonnette: General Chemistry - Principles and Modern Applications, latest edition, Pearson.
(Other reference books) Brown; LeMay; Bursten; Murphy; Woodward; Stoltzfus: Chemistry - The Central Science, latest edition, Pearson.
Tro: Chemistry - A Molecular Approach, latest edition, Pearson.
Robinson; McMurry; Fay: Chemistry, latest edition, Pearson.
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information Laboratory classes are mandatory.  Students must attend ALL lab classes, complete ALL experiments and laboratory reports to pass this course.


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