Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The ideas of molecular structure and the concepts of bonding within molecules are fundamental to the science of Chemistry. Structure and bonding influence properties of substances on the macroscale and govern how molecules react. This is the essence of Chemistry and the basis for the many and varied uses to which we put substances in our everyday world. This unit provides the basic concepts of structure, bonding and molecular shapes in both inorganic and organic compounds. An understanding of these concepts is vital to progress with subsequent units in the Chemistry Major.

Aims

To develop an understanding of the fundamentals of electronic structure and the nature of bonding in inorganic, organic and coordination compounds, to appreciate that molecules have three-dimensional shapes, and to understand the influences of such shapes on molecular properties.

Objectives

1. Apply the bonding theories hybridisation, molecular orbital theory, crystal field theory and aromaticity to inorganic and organic compounds that you have not previously studied to predict structures, properties and behaviour.

2. Understand the importance of three-dimensional structures in inorganic and organic molecules including biological molecules and apply this understanding to draw three-dimensional structures of molecules in two dimensions, labelling any isomers.

3. Analyse symmetry properties of simple molecules to determine point groups.

4. Apply advanced laboratory skills to this unit and other areas of chemistry and science in general.

Content

Revision of fundamental concepts in atomic and molecular structure

Electronic structure, ground-state electron configurations, and how these configurations lead to periodic trends including electronegativity, preferred oxidation state, and atomic size; the importance of electron configuration in bonding.

Bonding

Theories of bonding as applied to organic and inorganic compounds, including valence bond theory, orbital hybridisation, molecular orbital theory, coordination theory and crystal field theory. Colour and the spectrochemical series. Aromaticity and heteroaromaticity. Spectroscopic and magnetic consequences of electronic structure.

Coordination Chemistry

Introduction to coordination chemistry and metal complexes. Lewis acid-base theory, nomenclature, ligands, structure and symmetry, modes of isomerism.

Stereochemistry

Molecular shape and symmetry.
Constitutional isomers and stereoisomers; subdivision of stereoisomers.
Stereoisomerism of cycloalkane systems; conformational analysis; butane; the chair and boat forms of cyclohexane; substituted cyclohexanes.
Chirality and enantiomers, sequence rules; properties of enantiomers: optical isomerism, specific rotation, racemic mixtures, enantiomeric excess, separation of enantiomers; enantioselective synthesis and its importance in modern industrial synthesis.
Stereochemistry of molecules with more than one stereocentre; meso compounds.
Stereochemistry and chirality of inorganic and coordination compounds.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Lectures (26 hours, 2 hours per week)
Lecture time slots include learning activities with student participation.

Practical work (24 hours, 8 x 3 hour sessions)
The exercises in this practical program will emphasise laboratory skills and illustrations of the theoretical concepts from the lectures and will involve both inorganic and organic compounds and the particular techniques used in these sub-disciplines of Chemistry.

Workshops (8 hours, 4 x 2 hours)
These interactive sessions will allow a deeper exploration or revision of selected topics from the lecture program or the techniques used in the practical exercises.

Assessment

In this unit, you will be assessed by a combination of reports on practical exercises, problem-solving tasks, a progress examination and a final examination.Participation in workshops and laboratory exercises is an important component of the unit. Laboratory reports and workshop problem solving tasks are assessed and returned to you during semester. The feedback provided therein will help you to monitor your progress and correct any misunderstandings. The progress examination will allow you to assess your progress in understanding the lecture material.

Assessment name: Report
Description: Assessment of practical skills is by continuous assessment during laboratory sessions and by the submission of written practical reports. Prompt feedback is given on your laboratory reports and this forms an important part of your learning process.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 5.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Ongoing

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: Written responses to problems set during the workshops.
Relates to objectives: 1-4.
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: About wk 3,4,5,10,13

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: An examination, in or around week 7, will provide feedback on your progress in this unit (10%). A second written examination will be conducted during the examination period (50%).
Relates to objectives: 1-5.
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 7 and End Sem

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Recommended Textbooks:

1. Housecroft CE & Sharpe AG (2005) Inorganic Chemistry, 2nd edition, UK, Essex: Pearson

2. Bruice PY (2011) Organic Chemistry, 6th edition, Pearson Education

3. Zubrick TW (2009) The Organic Chem Lab Survival Manual, 8th edition, John Wiley & Sons

Molecular Models: Molecular Models are required and may be purchased in a package with the textbook by Bruice.

Resource books containing useful information and tutorial exercises will be provided, together with details of recommended websites.

Risk assessment statement

The professional practice of Chemistry requires the safe handling of Hazardous Substances. A practical laboratory program is an important part of this unit, so you will be required to handle such substances. The chemicals and procedures used in this unit are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course. You will be provided with a School Health and Safety Manual in this unit (or a pre-requisite unit). Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiment are clearly explained in the Practical Manual. Having been provided with this information, it is your responsibility to read and comply with these instructions for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 19-Oct-2012