Chemistry and Biochemistry

Chemistry is the science of substances and their properties and reactions. Chemistry is also called "the main science" because it integrates other branches of science such as astronomy, physics, biology and geology. This integration is reflected in different fields of chemistry that include concepts from many branches of science.

Biochemistry is the science of chemical processes in living organisms, or the molecular basis for life. Biochemistry is about the structure and the function of cellular components, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and other biomolecules.

Knowledge of chemistry and biochemistry forms the basis of topics as physiology, nutrition science, microbiology, immunology and pharmacology. These are basic topics in the field of dental hygiene. Therefore, it is a goal that students acquire an understanding of chemistry and biochemistry necessary for these other topics.

NB: This course is taught in Norwegian.

Knowledge

After the course the candidate

has knowledge of chemical terminology and knows central chemical principles (the atom, the periodic system, molecules, chemical bonds, reactions, chemical equilibrium, concentrations, pH, acid/base-equilibrium, buffer properties, solvents etc.)

knows some of the principles for how the properties of elements vary with the position in the periodic system (groups 1 and 2, the halogens)

knows different types of chemical bonds between atoms and between molecules, and can explain the effects of these on conformation and solubility of substances

knows and understands the concept of chemical equilibrium

has knowledge of the principles for the structure, the basic properties and the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fat

has knowledge of the structure of an eukaryotic cell with the main organelles and the most important functions of the organelles

has knowledge of the structure and the basic properties of nucleic acids and DNA

Skills

After the course the candidate

can use relevant chemical terminology to describe chemical phenomena

can write simple reactions, can explain these and can do simple calculations of the amount of material that reacts and that is formed

can use knowledge of chemical equilibrium to predict the consequences of changes in systems in equilibrium, included acid/base- and solubility equilibria

can explain the relevance of a buffer system on changes of pH

can use chemical knowledge on practical problems and make knowledge-based choices

General competence

After the course the candidate

can find chemical relevant information in a text (texts, tables and diagrams from text books, newspapers, journals, advertisements and web pages) and understand texts with chemical content

has sufficient understanding of chemistry and biochemistry to use correct terminology and to understand the content of later courses

has a general chemical competence necessary to work as a dental hygienist

can discuss chemical understanding and experience with colleagues, and through this contribute to the development of good practice