Chemistry: Subject Guide: Introduction

1.  Introduction

This guide has been created in order to assist students in their investigation and research in the field of Chemistry.  It is not meant to be all inclusive, but rather a selection of topics, issues, researchers and thinkers, books, online resources and social media to pique interest in chemistry and act as a road map as to where further resources can be found.

Including: Fields & Topics

This section provides a launchpad to further topics and fields within the discipline in other guides.  Students can explore topics further in their extended essays or propose topics and resources to expand these guides.

2. In the news

News coverage of the topic in the most relevant magazines, newspaper and video feeds are introduced.

3. Books and Physical Resources

Here links can be found to books held by the Qibao Dwight library as well as other documents from the course coordinator.   An overview of the call numbers using the Dewey Decimal Classification System is given to assist with finding materials on the libraries shelves.  A Goodreads group has been formed and populated with a Comprehensive Bibliography of works by prominent names in the field for collaborative learning. 

4. Online Resources

Will take you to databases of the school and other organizations where you can find journal articles and other online material such as statistics, data, search engines, working papers, and open access Journals. Useful search terms are also introduced. 

Including: Journals

The most important journals in the field are highlighted with a feed of their latest articles. Guidance is given on how to access journal articles using the school or external databases.

5. Institutions and People

In any academic discipline it is important to be familiar with the institutions and people who are prominent in the field. In this section a few of the most famous are introduced and links are provided for you to explore further.

6. Audio & visual Resources and Social Media 

Acquisition and dissemination of knowledge is a collaborative activity.  Various tools on the internet lend themselves to this, including blogging, podcasting, tweeting, and MOOCs (massive open online courses).  These allow information to not only to be found in books and journals, but in a variety of audio-visual materials which can suit all learning styles.  A good example of a podcast, video, open online course, blog, and twitter feed is provided as an entry point for further investigation.

Check back here for more topic guides as they become available!

Topic 1: Stoichiometric relationships 
Topic 2: Atomic structure 
Topic 3: Periodicity 
Topic 4: Chemical bonding and structure 
Topic 5: Energetics/thermochemistry 
Topic 6: Chemical kinetics 
Topic 7: Equilibrium 
Topic 8: Acids and bases 
Topic 9: Redox processes
Topic 10: Organic chemistry 
Topic 11: Measurement and data processing 

Topic 12: Atomic structure 
Topic 13: The periodic table—the transition metals 
Topic 14: Chemical bonding and structure 
Topic 15: Energetics/thermochemistry 
Topic 16: Chemical kinetics
Topic 17: Equilibrium 
Topic 18: Acids and bases 
Topic 19: Redox processes 
Topic 20: Organic chemistry
Topic 21: Measurement and analysis