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Introducing people to the Chemical ‘elements’ of their job.

Many people working in technological and science-based industries do not feel confident in understanding the nuances of the chemistry. This initiative is designed to give them a basic knowledge of the chemical principles behind what they do every day.

These include people who work:

  • In the life science sector.
  • In the Plastics industry.
  • Are involved in food preparation and processing.
  • Deal with cleaning, decorating and auxiliary chemicals.
  • And many other sectors involving volatile materials.

Effectively, people who need a little more information on the science behind the materials they are handling.

Why was this initiative designed?

A series of interactive workshops has been designed for individuals and teams who normally work in chemical related industries, and who want to gain a better understanding of basic chemical principles related to their work.

We also examine how this knowledge can benefit their customers, their organisation, and their fellow employees.

This is not designed to be a complex academic course but a vehicle for explaining key chemical concepts.

No previous chemistry qualifications are required, but an interest in general science would be of benefit.

How this initiative is constructed:

Identifying the relevant modules.

Introducing the material in a modular way allows companies to manage their training programme in a way that suits their exact needs.

A comprehensive series of modules has been developed, based on many years of industrial and academic experience.

Click on the link to access the complete list of modules : Modular Organic Chemistry and the Molecules of Life course

Significantly, people do not need to study all the modules.

Customised training packages for a particular industry can be selected on a mix-and-match basis. This could mean commitment to just 3 or 4 of the modules.

For example, people in the life science or food sectors could focus on:

Module 11 : Biological Polymers

Peptides

  • Formation from amino acids.
  • Protein assembly processes in the living cell.
  • Optical Isomerism : the biological importance of the chiral centre.

Proteins.

  • Chemical structure and function.
  • Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure : what are the forces at work, and how do they affect protein performance?
  • Proteins and enzymatic activity.
  • Denaturation of proteins.

Carbohydrates

  • Chemical structure and function.
  • Classes of carbohydrates.
  • Sugars and their reaction with oxidising agents.
  • Alpha and Beta Glucose links : the basis of animal digestion.
  • Polymerisation to give starches and cellulose : the glycosidic bond.

Lipids

  • Chemical structure and function.
  • Good and Bad Fats : their chemical structure.
  • How to make soap from fats.
  • Hydrolysis of Lipids.

Nucleic Acids : Information Polymers

  • Nucleotide structure and function.
  • How DNA works.

Whereas people involved in the Plastics Industry could build a programme focused on:

Module 10 :  Polymers : Synthetic macromolecules

  • The economic importance of polymers.
  • Types of polymers and their key characteristics.
  • Free radical addition reactions to produce economically important polymers:
    • Polyethene and Polypropene
    • Polystyrene
    • PVC
    • Perspex
    • Superglue
    • Teflon
  • Properties of these Addition polymers.
  • Natural rubber and the Vulcanisation process.
  • Condensation reactions to produce commercial polymers:
    • Polyesters
    • Polyamides : Nylon and associated products.
    • Polyurethanes
    • Polycarbonates
  • Properties of these condensation polymers.
  • Co-polymers : what gives Lego bricks their unique properties?
  • Recycling plastics and the associated environmental issues.

Companies can design a unique training programme that meets their exact needs and progress at a pace that suits their exact situation.

In this way, a company can develop  the skills and technological capability to compete in today’s fiercely competitive market.

How do we deliver these tools?

Increasingly, client requirements are for our support courses and mentoring to be delivered as a series of 1 or 2-hour on-line webinars delivered at a time and frequency to suit their convenience.

We believe this to be the most efficient and cost-effective mode of delivering training and support – particularly in these trying times.

How do we get started?

Get in touch with us (see Contact page) and we will help you develop a programme that suits you!

Companies can design a unique training programme that meets their exact needs and progress at a pace that suits their exact situation.

In this way, a company can develop  the skills and technological capability to compete in today’s fiercely competitive market.