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

Chemistry is the central science. It affects society as well as the individual. It is the language and principal tool of the physical sciences, the biological sciences, the health sciences and the agricultural and earth sciences. A basic knowledge of chemistry is essential to all students in these areas. Knowledge of chemistry allows a better understanding of the human body and of the environment in which we live.

Aims

To introduce you to the basic concepts of general, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Describe the general characteristics of atoms and molecules.
2. Discuss and explain the basic principles of chemical reactions and how to use equations to describe chemical change.
3. Articulate the benefit of chemistry in the context of applications in everyday life and the many benefits which accrue from the application of chemistry and the use of chemicals.
4. Apply scientific problem solving skills to issues in chemistry.
5. Safely apply basic laboratory procedures in a chemical investigation.

Content

General Chemistry
· Matter: Substances, mixtures, states of matter (solids, liquids and gases).
· Atoms, molecules, ions.
· Elements, compounds, introduction to nomenclature.
· Classes of chemical bonds, covalent vs. ionic bonding.
· Chemical reaction equations.
· Stoichiometry: atomic mass, molecular mass, the mole, molar mass, quantitative analysis of reactions, solution concentrations and dilution.

Physical Chemistry
· Gases: properties of gases, ideal gas equation, Dalton's Law of partial pressure.
· Chemical equilibrium, equilibrium constants, Le Chatelier's Principle, solubility equilibria.
· Acids and bases, neutralisation/titration pH, pKa, pKb, equilibria and buffers (Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and applications)
· Thermodynamics: 1st Law, Hess's Law, enthalpy of formation, bond energy. 2nd Law, entropy, free energy, spontaneity of chemical reactions. · Kinetics: Reaction rates, rate laws, effects of temperature, catalysis.
· Oxidation/Reduction: Redox reactions, oxidation numbers, galvanic cells, electrode potentials, Nernst equation.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

1 by 2 hour lectures per week (development of content)
3 by 3 hour practical sessions (introduction to practical organic chemistry)
13 by 1 hour tutorial sessions (development of problem solving skills as applied to chemical systems).

The tutorial program employs the QUT CHELP tuition guide that is specially designed to assist you bridge the gap between theory, practical experiment and scientific problem solving. The tutorial program comprises a weekly set of tutorial exercises that will be discussed in detail at tutorial sessions.

Assessment

In this unit, you will be assessed by a combination of problem-solving tasks, written reports on the laboratory exercises, a progress examination and a final examination.By attendance and participation in the tutorial program, you will be able to assess your progress in understanding the lecture material. You will obtain feedback on your laboratory reports, which will be annotated and returned to you. The results that you obtain in the assignments will provide ongoing feedback about progress, in particular about your preparation for the final theory exam. Problems from the Progress Examination will be discussed in subsequent lectures.

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: The end of semester theory exam will cover content from all components of the unit.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: A progress exam will be held in (or around Week 7) on theory and practical components covered up to that point, the results of which will provide important feedback about the extent and depth of understanding that you have developed in the first part of the unit.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Weight: 15%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: In or around Week 7

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: You will be required to undertake three 3-hour sessions of supervised practical work for which you will prepare written reports. The assessment of these reports will provide ongoing feedback so that you can monitor your progress.
Relates to objectives: 2, 4 and 5.
Weight: 15%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Ongoing

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: The CHELP tutorial program is supplemented with 2 assignments involving exercises designed to develop an appreciation of how theory presented in lectures can be applied to scientific problem solving.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Ongoing

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

Prescribed Texts:
1. Blackman, et al (2012) Chemistry, Wiley.
2. SCB111 Laboratory Manual (2013) QUT.
3. McMurtrie, Schultz, Waclawik (2012) CHELP: An Essential Guide to 1st Year Chemistry at QUT, QUT.

Recommended text for students requiring help with Maths:
1. Monk (2006) Maths for Chemistry, Oxford.

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 Laboratory Health and Safety Manual in this unit. Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiments 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: 24-Oct-2012