Understanding the CUET Chemistry Syllabus for UG and PG Course

The CUET chemistry syllabus comprises topics essential for aspirants pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Designed to assess candidates’ understanding of fundamental principles and their application in real-world scenarios, the syllabus reflects the interdisciplinary nature of modern chemistry and its significance in various scientific domains.

For undergraduate courses, the syllabus consists of foundational concepts spanning from Solid State and Electrochemistry to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. Students dive into the intricacies of chemical bonding, molecular structures, and reaction mechanisms, preparing them for further specialization in diverse areas of chemistry.

At the postgraduate level, the CUET chemistry syllabus dives deeper into specialized fields such as Bioorganic Chemistry, Molecular Biology, and Clinical Biochemistry. Here, students explore advanced topics including biomolecular structures, metabolic pathways, and biochemical techniques important for understanding complex biological systems and their underlying chemical processes.

Overall, the CUET chemistry syllabus serves as a roadmap for aspiring chemists, guiding them through a structured curriculum designed to create a deep understanding of chemical principles, their applications, and their implications across various scientific disciplines.

CUET Chemistry Syllabus

In this section, we will discuss the CUET chemistry syllabus for the CUET examination. We will be covering the overview of the topics in this section. In the later sections, we will go through the topics in detail.

Page to visit: CUET Exam Page

CUET Chemistry Syllabus for UG Course

This section will give you an overview of the UG syllabus that is generally asked in the CUET exam for chemistry courses. There will be one question paper which will have 50 questions out of which 40 questions need to be attempted.

There are around 16 units for the UG course where questions generally come from. These units include:

1. Unit 1: Solid State
2. Unit 2: Solutions
3. Unit 3: Electrochemistry
4. Unit 4: Chemical Kinetics
5. Unit 5: Surface Chemistry
6. Unit 6: General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements
7. Unit 7: p-Block Elements
8. Unit 8: d and f Block Elements
9. Unit 9: Coordination Compounds
10. Unit 10: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
11. Unit 11: Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers
12. Unit 12: Aldehydes, Ketones, and Carboxylic Acids
13. Unit 13: Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen
14. Unit 14: Biomolecules
15. Unit 15: Polymers
16. Unit 16: Chemistry in Everyday Life

These were some of the important topics related to the CUET chemistry syllabus for the UG course. Make sure you go through each of them in detail to maximize your chances of success.

Also, read CUET for Delhi University.

CUET Chemistry Syllabus for PG Course

In this section, we will look at the overview of the syllabus for the PG course. The question paper will have 75 questions overall. All the questions will be based on the subject-specific knowledge. 

Here are some of the important topics for the CUET chemistry syllabus for the PG course:

1. Introduction to Biochemistry
2. Bioorganic Chemistry and Metabolites
3. Cell Biology
4. Biochemical Techniques
5. Biomolecules
6. Nutrition
7. Metabolism
8. Bioenergetics and Membrane Biology
9. Human Physiology
10. Clinical Biochemistry
11. Microbiology
12. Immunology
13. Enzymology
14. Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering

These were some of the important topics that are generally asked in the CUET chemistry syllabus for PG courses.

Students also search: How to Prepare for CUET?

Topic-Wise CUET Chemistry Syllabus for UG Course

The CUET syllabus for undergraduate courses is totally NCERT-based. Just thoroughly go through the NCERT books of classes 11^th and 12^th. The detailed topic-wise chemistry syllabus for the UG course is mentioned below.

Students also read about CUET UG Syllabus

Unit I: Solid State

Classification of solids based on different binding forces: molecular, ionic covalent, and metallic solids, amorphous and crystalline solids (elementary idea), unit cell in two-dimensional and three-dimensional lattices, calculation of density of unit cell, packing in solids, packing efficiency, voids, number of atoms per unit cell in a cubic unit cell, point defects, electrical and magnetic properties, Band theory of metals, conductors, semiconductors and insulators and n and p-type semiconductors.

Unit II: Solutions

Types of solutions, expression of concentration of solutions of solids in liquids, the solubility of gases in liquids, solid solutions, colligative properties – the relative lowering of vapor pressure, Raoult’s law, elevation, of B.P., depression of freezing point, osmotic pressure, determination of molecular masses using colligative properties, abnormal molecular mass, Vant Hoff factor.

Unit III: Electrochemistry

Redox reactions; conductance in electrolytic solutions, specific and molar conductivity variations of conductivity with concentration, Kohlrausch’s Law, electrolysis and laws of electrolysis (elementary idea), dry cell – electrolytic cells and Galvanic cells; lead accumulator, EMF of a cell, standard electrode potential, Nernst equation and its application to chemical cells. Relation between Gibbs energy change and EMF of a cell, fuel cells; corrosion.

Unit IV: Chemical Kinetics

Rate of a reaction (average and instantaneous), factors affecting rates of reaction: concentration, temperature, catalyst; order and molecularity of a reaction; rate law and specific rate constant, integrated rate equations, and half-life (only for zero and first-order reactions); concept of collision theory (elementary idea, no mathematical treatment). Activation energy, Arrhenius equation.

 Unit V: Surface Chemistry

Adsorption – physisorption and chemisorption; factors affecting adsorption of gases on solids; catalysis: homogenous and heterogeneous, activity and selectivity: enzyme catalysis; colloidal state: the distinction between true solutions, colloids, and suspensions; lyophilic, lyophobic multimolecular and macromolecular colloids; properties of colloids; Tyndall effect, Brownian movement, electrophoresis, coagulation; emulsions – types of emulsions.

 Unit VI: General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

Principles and methods of extraction – concentration, oxidation, reduction electrolytic method, and refining; occurrence and principles of extraction of aluminum, copper, zinc, and iron.

Unit VII: P-Block Elements

Group 15 elements: General introduction, electronic configuration, occurrence, oxidation states, trends in physical and chemical properties; nitrogen – preparation, properties, and uses; compounds of nitrogen: preparation and properties of ammonia and nitric acid, oxides of nitrogen ( structure only); Phosphorous-allotropic forms; compounds of phosphorous: preparation and properties of phosphine, halides (PCl3, PCl5) and oxoacids (elementary idea only).

Note: There will be one Question Paper which will have 50 questions out of which 40 questions need to be attempted.

Group 16 elements: General introduction, electronic configuration, oxidation states, occurrence, trends in physical and chemical properties; dioxygen: preparation, properties, and uses; classification of oxides; ozone. Sulphur – allotropic forms; compounds of sulphur: preparation, properties, and uses of sulphur dioxide; sulphuric acid: industrial process of manufacture, properties and uses, oxoacids of sulphur (structures only).

Group 17 elements: General introduction, electronic configuration, oxidation states, occurrence, trends in physical and chemical properties; compounds of halogens: preparation, properties and uses of chlorine and hydrochloric acid, interhalogen compounds, oxoacids of halogens(structures only).

Group 18 elements: General introduction, electronic configuration, occurrence, trends in physical and chemical properties, and uses.

 Unit VIII: D and F Block Elements

General introduction, electronic configuration, occurrence and characteristics of transition metals, general trends in properties of the first-row transition metals – metallic character, ionization enthalpy, oxidation states, ionic radii, color, catalytic property, magnetic properties, interstitial compounds, alloy formation. 

Preparation and properties of K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4. Lanthanoids – electronic configuration, oxidation states, chemical reactivity, and lanthanoid contraction and its consequences. Actinoids –Electronic configuration, oxidation states, and comparison with lanthanoids.

Unit IX: Coordination Compounds

Coordination compounds: Introduction, ligands, coordination number, color, magnetic properties and shapes, IUPAC nomenclature of mononuclear coordination compounds, bonding, Werner’s theory VBT, CFT; isomerism (structural and stereo)importance of coordination compounds (in qualitative analysis, extraction ofmetals and biological systems).

Unit X: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

Haloalkanes: Nomenclature, nature of C-X bond, physical and chemical properties, mechanism of substitution reactions. Optical rotation. Haloarenes: Nature of C-X bond, substitution reactions (directive influence of halogen for monosubstituted compounds only).

Uses and environmental effects of – dichloromethane, trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, iodoform, freons, DDT.  

Unit XI: Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers

Alcohols: Nomenclature, methods of preparation, physical and chemical properties (of primary alcohols only); identification of primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols; mechanism of dehydration, uses, with special reference to methanol and ethanol.

Phenols: Nomenclature, methods of preparation, physical and chemical properties, acidic nature of phenol, electrophilic substitution reactions, uses of phenols. Ethers: Nomenclature, methods of preparation, physical and chemical properties, uses.

Unit XII: Aldehydes, Ketones, and Carboxylic Acids

Aldehydes and Ketones: Nomenclature, nature of carbonyl group, methods of preparation, physical and chemical properties, mechanism of nucleophilic addition, the reactivity of alpha hydrogen in aldehydes; uses.

Carboxylic Acids: Nomenclature, acidic nature, methods of preparation, physical and chemical properties; uses.

Unit XIII: Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen

Amines: Nomenclature, classification, structure, methods of preparation, physical and chemical properties, uses, and identification of primary secondary, and tertiary amines.

Cyanides and Isocyanides – will be mentioned at relevant places in context. Diazonium salts: Preparation, chemica lreactions, and importance in synthetic organic chemistry.

Unit XIV: Biomolecules

Carbohydrates – Classification (aldoses and ketoses), monosaccharide (glucose and fructose), D-L configuration, oligosaccharides (sucrose, lactose, maltose), polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, glycogen): importance.

Proteins – Elementary idea of a-amino acids, peptide bonds, polypeptides, proteins, primary structure, secondary structure, tertiary structure, and quaternary structure (qualitative idea only), denaturation of proteins; enzymes.

Hormones –Elementary idea (excluding structure). Vitamins – Classification and functions. Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA.

Unit XV: Polymers

Classification – Natural and synthetic, methods of polymerization (addition and condensation),

copolymerization. Some important polymers: are natural and synthetic like polythene, nylon, polyesters, bakelite, and rubber. Biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymers.

These were the detailed topics for the CUET chemistry syllabus

Also, prefer seeing the CUET University List.

Unit XVI: Chemistry in Everyday Life

Chemicals in medicines – analgesics, tranquilizers, antiseptics, disinfectants, antimicrobials, antifertility drugs, antibiotics, antacids, antihistamines. Chemicals in food– preservatives, artificial sweetening agents, elementary idea of antioxidants. Cleansing agents – soaps and detergents, cleansing action.

Topic-Wise CUET Chemistry Syllabus for PG Course

The CUET syllabus for the PG chemistry course is a vast one. You need to go through each of the below-mentioned subtopics in detail. The topic-wise CUET chemistry syllabus for the PG course includes:

Suggested Read: CUET PG Syllabus

Introduction to Biochemistry

• Understanding of Biochemistry as a discipline.
• Fundamental properties of elements, their role in the formation of biomolecules, and in chemical reactions.
• Concepts of mole, mole fraction, molarity, etc.
• The unique property of water as a universal solvent.
• Fundamentals of Adsorption, Viscosity, Distribution law, Osmotic pressure, etc.
• Fundamental laws relating to photochemistry.

Bioorganic Chemistry and Metabolites

• Significance of organic reactions.
• Electrochemistry to conductance, voltaic, and electrolytic systems.
• Chemical bonding.
• Aliphatic and aromatic compounds and IUPAC nomenclature.
• Formation of polymers and their importance.
• Stereochemistry in determining conformations of biomolecules.

Cell Biology

• Structure of cell and various cellular events.
• Function of various subcellular organelles.
• Cell theory and techniques for fractionation of sub-cellular organelles.
• Composition of cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix.
• Cell cycle, cell division, and cell death mechanisms.

Biochemical Techniques

• Chromatographic techniques and their application Centrifugation and chromatography in biological investigations.
• Principles of Electrophoresis, Spectrophotometry, and ELISA and their applications.

Biomolecules

• Biomolecules present in living cells.
• Key contributions of scientists such as Hans Kreb, G. N. Ramachandran, Melvin Calvin, Louis Pasteur, Har
• Gobind Khorana, Watson etc.
• Properties of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, cholesterol, DNA, RNA, glycoproteins, and glycolipids.
• Process of fermentation and manufacture of Biodiesel.
• Amino acid and nucleotide sequences of proteins and DNA respectively.

Nutrition

• Glycemic index, balanced diet, micronutrient deficiencies and the remedies, nutraceuticals and their importance, junk foods and their hazards.
• Need for specialized food for people with special needs – diabetes, pregnancy, inherited genetic
• disorders.
• Use of alternate crops – cereals and pulses and their importance.
• Cattle industry and its contribution to greenhouse gases.
• Merits and demerits of vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods.

Metabolism

• Importance of lipids as storage molecules and as structural components of biomembranes.
• Importance of high energy compounds, electron transport chain, synthesis of ATP under aerobic and
• anaerobic conditions.
• Role of TCA cycle in central carbon metabolism, importance of anaplerotic reactions and redox balance.
• Properties of metabolic enzymes of the host and pathogens
• Metabolic engineering for the production of useful biomolecules.

Bioenergetics and Membrane Biology

• Basic concepts of Bioenergetics, mechanisms of oxidative phosphorylation and photophosphorylation.
• Composition and structure of biomembranes, transport mechanisms across biological membranes.
• Concept and mechanism of ATP synthesis.

Human Physiology

• Mechanism of signal transduction by steroid and polypeptide hormones.
• Process of gaseous exchange in tissues and lungs, respiratory adaption to high altitude.
• Difference between hemoglobin and myoglobin.
• Muscular dystrophies, the role of steroids in muscle building.
• Nitrogen metabolism.

Clinical Biochemistry

• Constituents of urine, blood, and their significance.
• Causation of diseases of the liver, kidney, and mechanism of Cancer.
• Triglycerides and lipoproteins and their relationship with various diseases.
• Role of enzymes in the diagnosis of various diseases.

Microbiology

• Contributions of Louis Pasteur, Edward Jenner, and Robert Koch in microbiology and immunology.
• Discovery of antibiotics and their targets, drug/antibiotic resistance, preventive and therapeutic
• approaches of infectious diseases.
• Microorganisms as model systems in genetics and biochemistry.
• Contribution of gut microbiome in human health.
• Basic concepts of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.

Immunology

• The immune system includes cells, organs, and receptors.
• Structure and functions of different classes of immunoglobulins, the genetic basis of antibody diversity, and the importance of humoral, cell-mediated, and innate immune responses in combating pathogens.
• Different types of hypersensitivity, and the importance of conventional vs. recombinant vaccines.
• Importance of antigen-antibody interaction in disease diagnosis.
• Principles of tolerance, autoimmunity and the role of immunity in protection against pathogens.

Enzymology

• Enzymes and their importance in biological reactions.
• Difference between a chemical catalyst and a biocatalyst.
• Activation energy and its importance in biological reactions.

Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering

• DNA as genetic material, DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and translation.
• Coding and non-coding regions of eukaryotic genome.
• Exposure of E. coli lac operon, PCR, expression vectors and their importance in Biotechnology.
• Merits and Demerits of transgenic crops.
• Genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and their importance in human health.

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Summing It Up!

The CUET Chemistry syllabus covers a wide range of topics for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. For undergraduates, it’s important to understand basics like Solid State and Organic Chemistry, while postgraduates delve deeper into areas like Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 

The syllabus reflects how chemistry is connected to many fields, from medicine to the environment. Doing well in the CUET exam means not just knowing theory, but also understanding how chemistry applies to real-life situations. It shows that learning chemistry isn’t just about memorizing facts, but also understanding how it affects the world around us.

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