Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

Chemical Structure and Reactivity explores the influence of the three-dimensional structures of molecules and their chemical reactivity on the physical and chemical properties of all substances. It develops your chemical problem-solving ability in the context of organic compounds of relevance to every-day life as well as the skills necessary to carry out organic chemistry experiments safely and efficiently in the laboratory. This introductory chemistry unit (with its companion unit General Chemistry) provides the foundation for further studies in chemistry including the sub-discipline of organic chemistry that you may encounter in semesters 4 and 5 of your science degree.

Aims

This unit provides you with conceptual models and tools to describe and predict molecular structure and reactivity of important classes of organic substances. It also develops important experimental and practical skills in chemistry that will be extended in later units.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you will demonstrate that you can:
1. describe and predict the connectivity, shapes and electronic properties of molecules and relate these concepts to the characteristic reactions of organic molecules
2. solve problems involving the principles of molecular structure, polarity, three-dimensional shape and reactivity
3. safely conduct basic laboratory procedures to investigate organic substances and their reactions
4. critically reflect on your learning, particularly in relation to your laboratory skills.

Content

The unit will commence with description of atomic and molecular structure using models appropriate to an introductory unit. The structures and shapes of molecules of carbon compounds will be investigated in a collaborative format where you will work with your colleagues to reinforce your understanding.

Once you are familiar with the three-dimensional shapes and electronic properties of typical molecules, organic reactions will be examined using mechanistic and functional group approaches in tandem.

Having exposed you to the myriad of possible organic molecules and their useful reactions, we will introduce the problem of how to determine the structures of organic molecules using the techniques of spectroscopy.

We will adopt a guided approach to learning in each of these key areas (below) leading from experimental result to conceptual model to predictability and testability. Successful learning will depend on recall of relevant factual material as a necessary preparation for solving problems.

Foundations of molecular structure:
- electronic structures of atoms and molecules (quantum theory, Lewis structures, resonance theory, aromaticity)
- polarity of bonds and molecules
- the functional classes of organic molecules
- naming organic compounds systematically
- three-dimensional structures of molecules and impact of shapes on properties.

Reactions of organic substances:
- the typical reactions of the common functional groups
- how to represent reactions using electron flow
- extension of General Chemistry concepts of acids and bases to organic functional groups and non-aqueous media
- treatment of typical reaction mechanisms using a deductive approach
- applications of principles of structure and reactivity to every-day life, especially involving naturally occurring substances, drugs and polymers.

Introduction to spectroscopy:
- why we need spectroscopy - classical methods
- mass spectrometry
- infrared spectroscopy
- carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- solving problems in structure determination.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Lectorial: Weekly (concept focus - collaborative learning spaces)
Laboratory practicals: Five 3hr laboratory practicals throughout semester (practical organic chemistry focus)
Workshops: Six 1hr workshops throughout semester (Problem solving in chemical structure and reactivity - collaborative learning spaces)

Lectorials
Interactive lectures using appropriate real world examples to demonstrate theory and concepts combined with collaborative problem solving in groups with feedback and discussion with the larger class. Lectorials will use a mix of collaborative learning spaces with a variety of learning activities.

Practicals ¿ needs to be adapted into a L&T approach
In the practical course, you will learn how to handle organic substances safely, while carrying out reactions and processes for isolation and purification of substances that are important in everyday life.

Workshops
In the workshops, you will receive guidance and practice in bridging the gap between knowing and applying the theory and solving chemical problems. We use the QUT CHELP resource and a selection of problems to explore and discuss in more detail at workshop sessions.

Assessment

The assessment in this unit comprises both formative and summative elements. Formative assessment will take the form of provision of model answers for summative tasks, practice problems with worked solutions, return of your marked and annotated practical reports, and interactive discussions with your laboratory demonstrators. Summative assessment is a combination of problem-solving tasks, written reports and a self-review of the laboratory exercises, and supervised written theory examination.There will be extensive opportunity to assess your progress in the unit.
- Ongoing feedback in lectorials to self/peer assess and improve understanding of key concepts
- Written feedback on your laboratory reports, which will be annotated and returned to you. The informal atmosphere in the laboratory means that you also will have the opportunity for one-to-one feedback from your demonstrator.
- The results that you obtain in the assignment problems and progress examination will provide ongoing feedback including about your preparation for the final theory exam.

Assessment items, except the final examination, will be returned to you; model answers will be provided on Blackboard. Many practice examples and worked solutions, including typical final examination questions, will be available to guide your learning and self-test your progress. All staff in the unit will be available for individual or small group consultation.

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: 1. You will be required to undertake five 3-hour sessions of supervised practical work for which you will prepare written reports, comprising both pre-laboratory and post-experiment components (part submitted at start of lab and part by end of day of experiment). A self-review of your laboratory experiences will be part of the final report.

2. The CHELP tutorial program is supplemented with an assignment involving application of the theoretical concepts to solving problems in organic structure and reactivity (Wk 9).
Relates to objectives: 2, 3 and 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Ongoing

Assessment name: Progress Examination
Description: A formative progress exam will be held in (or around) Week 4 on theory covered up to that point, the results of which will provide important feedback about the depth of understanding that you have developed in the first part of the unit.

A summative and formative progress exam will be held in (or around) Week 10, covering all the material up to that point, and designed both to allow you to assess your progress, and to practice solving problems under examination conditions. It will comprise multiple-choice questions and questions for which a written solution will be required.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 4 and 10

Assessment name: Final Examination
Description: The end of semester theory exam will cover content from all theory components of the unit. It will comprise multiple-choice questions and questions for which a written solution will be required.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

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., 2nd Ed. (2012) Chemistry, Wiley.
2. Chemical Structure and Reactivity Laboratory Manual (2013) QUT.
3. McMurtrie, Schultz, Waclawik, Arnold et al. (2013) 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 undertake compulsory formal pre-laboratory assessment in Health and Safety matters relevant to the laboratory and QUT buildings in general. Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiments are clearly explained in the Practical Manual. Having been provided with this advice, it is your responsibility to comply with all 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: 20-Sep-2012