Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
CHEM3443 Organic chemistry laboratory (6 credits) Academic Year 2026
Offering Department Chemistry Quota 90
Course Co-ordinator Dr A M Y Yuen, Chemistry < maiyan@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr A M Y Yuen,Chemistry)
(Prof J Z Liu,Chemistry)
(Prof Y F Weng,Chemistry)
Course Objectives To provide students with intensive hands-on training of experimental chemistry techniques on organic reactions; and the opportunity to develop analytical and critical thinking skills through scientific investigations in organic chemistry experiments. The course focuses on the practical aspects of a variety of organic reactions, including and multistep syntheses. Chromatographic, instrumental, and spectroscopic techniques are also discussed to give a holistic training of experimental organic chemistry.
Course Contents & Topics The course will include the following laboratory skills and practices: laboratory safety practice; preparation, purification, and characterization of organic compounds; gas and liquid chromatography; ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry; infrared spectroscopy; NMR spectroscopy and melting point determination
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 demonstrate a good practice of laboratory safety and exercise proper procedures for safe handling and usage of chemicals
CLO 2 carry out, record and analyze the results of chemical experiments
CLO 3 apply modern instrumentation techniques to characterize organic compounds and draw conclusions from the results
CLO 4 communicate the results of their work to others
CLO 5 demonstrate problem-solving skills, critical thinking and analytical reasoning
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in CHEM2441; and pass in CHEM3441, or already enrolled in this course;
NOT for students who have passed CHEM3441A in semester 1, 2015-16, or CHEM3441 in or before 2014-2015 (for students admitted in 2014-15 or before)
Pass in CHEM2441 or CHEM2442 or CHEM2443; and Pass in CHEM3441 or CHEM3442, or already enrolled in any of these two courses (for students admitted in 2015-16 or thereafter)
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2026 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2026 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2026 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Chemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
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 Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2026 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2025 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2025 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
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 extensive knowledge and thorough command of concepts and principles which are required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Competently conduct experiment with efficient lab skills and techniques. Critically appraise data to draw appropriate and insightful conclusions. 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 and mastery of the subject knowledge. 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 and critical analysis of experimental data. 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 knowledge. 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. Demonstrated some ability to analyze experimental data critically. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining course learning outcomes. Ability to recall some of factual information of the subject. Show a partial comprehension of basic concepts and principles and weak ability to apply them. Demonstrate evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. 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 12 x 4-hr lab sessions 48.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Examination (20% practical exam and 30% 2-hr written exam) 50.0 1,2,3,4,5
Laboratory reports (Include Lab Quiz 15%, Lab Report and Notebook 25% and Lab Performance 10%) 50.0 1,2,3,4,5
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 John W. Lehman: Operational Organic Chemistry - A Problem-Solving Approach to the Laboratory Course (Pearson, latest edition)
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information Laboratory classes are mandatory.  Students must complete ALL experiments and laboratory reports to pass this course.


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