Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
CHEM2441 Organic chemistry I (6 credits) Academic Year 2026
Offering Department Chemistry Quota 200
Course Co-ordinator Prof P Chiu (1st sem); Prof XY Chen (2nd sem), Chemistry < pchiu@hku.hk; aspen@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof A M Li,Chemistry)
(Prof P Chiu,Chemistry)
(Prof X Y Chen,Chemistry)
Course Objectives To provide students with the basic principles to understand the structure and reactivity of organic molecules, with examples illustrating the role of organic chemistry in daily life and industry.
This course serves as the first part of the complete program on fundamental organic chemistry, to be followed up by CHEM3441 Organic Chemistry II.
Course Contents & Topics Structure and bonding of organic compounds, three dimensional structures of organic molecules, conformational stereochemistry, chirality.  Chemistry of alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes, alkynes, haloalkanes, dienes, alcohols, thiols, and ethers.  Organometallic chemistry for organic synthesis.  Principles of organic synthesis.  Detailed considerations of reaction mechanisms.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 visualize and draw stereochemically correct representations of three-dimensional organic molecules
CLO 2 define, classify, and name chirality, stereoisomers and diastereomers
CLO 3 understand the basic mechanism types: electrophilic addition, SN1, SN2, E1, E2, and radical propagation mechanisms
CLO 4 apply the basic mechanisms to rationalize the conditions and derive the outcomes of the reactions of alkanes, alkyl halides, alkenes, dienes, alkynes, alcohols, ethers, epoxides, and organometallic compounds
CLO 5 understand the structure, and bonding of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and dienes
CLO 6 apply reactions to the synthesis of target alkane, alkyl halide, alkene, diene, alkyne, alcohol, ether, epoxides, and bifunctional molecules
CLO 7 appreciate the relevance of organic chemistry in biological processes and daily life
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in CHEM1042; and Pass in CHEM1043, or already enrolled in this course
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2026 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2026 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2026 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2026 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2026 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2026 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3 >
2026 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3 >
2025 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2025 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3 >
2025 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3 >
2024 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3 >
2024 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3 >
2023 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3 >
2023 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3 >
2022 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3 >
2022 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3 >
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y        1st sem    2nd sem    Examination Dec    May     
Offer in 2027 - 2028 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate a thorough mastery at an advanced level of knowledge and understanding of facts and concepts pertaining to the chemical properties, reactions and mechanisms of organic chemistry. Show a strong ability to integrate knowledge and theory, and a strong ability to analyze and solve novel organic chemistry problems. Demonstrate highly effective organization, understanding, and execution of lab skills and techniques in organic chemistry experiments.
B Demonstrate substantial command of knowledge and understanding of essential facts and concepts pertaining to the chemical properties, reactions and mechanisms of organic chemistry. Show evidence of ability to integrate knowledge and theory, and evidence of ability to analyze and solve novel organic chemistry problems. Demonstrate effective organization, understanding, and execution of lab skills and techniques in organic chemistry experiments.
C Demonstrate a general but incomplete command of knowledge and understanding of essential facts and concepts pertaining to the chemical properties, reactions and mechanisms of organic chemistry. Show evidence of some ability to integrate knowledge and theory, and evidence of some ability to analyze novel problems. Show a mostly correct use of knowledge to solve most familiar problems. Demonstrate adequately effective organization, understanding, and execution of lab skills and techniques in organic chemistry experiments.
D Demonstrate a partial but limited command of knowledge and understanding of essential facts and concepts pertaining to the chemical properties, reactions and mechanisms of organic chemistry. Show evidence of limited ability to integrate knowledge and theory, and a limited ability to analyze novel problems. Show some correct but also erroneous use of knowledge to solve most familiar problems. Demonstrate a partially effective organization, understanding and application of lab skills and techniques in organic chemistry experiments.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and understanding of essential facts and concepts pertaining to the chemical properties, reactions and mechanisms of organic chemistry. Show little or no evidence of ability to apply and integrate knowledge and theory, and little or no ability to analyze novel problems. Show little or no evidence of ability to solve most familiar problems. Demonstrate minimal or no organization, understanding and application of lab skills and techniques in organic chemistry experiments.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 24.0
Tutorials 36.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments (Assignments and participation) 30.0 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Examination 50.0 1,2,3,4,5,6
Test 20.0 1,2,3,4,5,6
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Organic Chemistry, by Paula Y. Bruice, 8th Global Edition, Chapters 1-12.
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information This course will be conducted as a blended learning course, in which the teaching material will be delivered using videos, along with face-to-face and online tutorials.


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