Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
CHEM2442 Fundamentals of organic chemistry (6 credits) Academic Year 2026
Offering Department Chemistry Quota 100
Course Co-ordinator Prof P H Toy, Chemistry < phtoy@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof P H Toy,Chemistry)
Course Objectives The major objective of this course is to give the students a basic understanding of organic chemistry, especially in the context of daily life.  This will be achieved through the introduction of the chemistry of organic functional groups that form the basis of organic molecules.  The concepts presented in the lectures will be reinforced by a series of laboratory experiments.
Course Contents & Topics The chemistry of organic functional groups such as alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, and amines will be discussed, as will the general concepts of molecular structure, conformation and stereochemistry.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 demonstrate basic understanding of the structure of organic molecules
CLO 2 demonstrate basic understanding of the reactivity of organic molecules
CLO 3 appreciate how organic chemistry plays an important role in everyday life
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in CHEM1042; and
Not for students who have passed CHEM2441, or have already enrolled in this course.
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2U000C00 Course not offered under any Major/Minor/Professional core
2026 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2024 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3 >
2023 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3 >
2022 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3 >
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y        1st sem    Examination Dec     
Offer in 2027 - 2028 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive organic chemistry knowledge, and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar problems.
B Demonstrate substantial command of organic chemistry with a broad range of knowledge, and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar problems.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of organic chemistry knowledge, and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar problems.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of organic chemistry knowledge, and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of organic chemistry knowledge, and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Laboratory 20.0
Lectures 24.0
Tutorials 5.0
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
Test (test/quiz) 50.0 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Bruice, P.Y.; Essential Organic Chemistry (Pearson, 2016, 3rd edition)
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information Students who are planning to take CHEM3441 should take CHEM2441.
Laboratory classes are mandatory.  Students must complete ALL experiments and take a written laboratory test in order to pass this course.


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