Course Title: Perform chemical tests and procedures

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: ONPS5658C

Course Title: Perform chemical tests and procedures

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5282 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology)

Course Contact: Amber Mitton

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 8053

Course Contact Email: amberlee.mitton@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Kirsten Balding - Teacher - Theory & Lab kirsten.balding@rmit.edu.au 9925 4283

Dinah van Ruyven - Lab Teacher dinah.vanruyven@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 100

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

There are no pre-requisites or co-requisites for this course

Course Description

This unit of competency covers the ability to interpret chemical test requirements, prepare samples, conduct pre-use and calibration checks on equipment and perform routine chemical tests/procedures. These tests will involve several measurement steps. The unit includes data processing and interpretation of results and tracking of obvious test malfunctions where the procedure is standardised. However, personnel are not required to analyse data, optimise tests/procedures for specific samples or troubleshoot equipment problems where the solution is not apparent


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

MSL974003A Perform chemical tests and procedures

Element:

1. Interpret and schedule test requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Review test request to identify samples to be tested, test method and equipment/instruments involved
1.2. Identify hazards and enterprise control measures associated with the sample, preparation/test methods, reagents and/or equipment
1.3. Plan work sequences to optimise throughput of multiple samples, if appropriate
 

Element:

2. Receive and prepare samples

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Log samples using standard operating procedures (SOPs)
2.2. Record sample description, compare with specification and note and report discrepancies
2.3. Prepare samples and standards in accordance with chemical testing requirements
2.4. Ensure traceability of samples from receipt to reporting of results

Element:

3. Check equipment before use

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Set up equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements
3.2. Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with relevant enterprise and operating procedures
3.3. Identify faulty or unsafe components and equipment and report to appropriate personnel
3.4. Check equipment calibration using specified standards and procedures, if applicable
3.5. Quarantine out of calibration equipment/instruments
3.6. Ensure reagents required for the test are available and meet quality requirements

Element:

4. Test samples to determine chemical species or properties

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements
4.2. Perform tests/procedures on all samples and standards, if appropriate, in accordance with specified methods
4.3. Shut down equipment/instruments in accordance with operating procedures

Element:

5. Process and interpret data

Performance Criteria:

5.1. Record test data noting atypical observations
5.2. Construct calibration graphs, if appropriate, and compute results for all samples from these graphs
5.3. Ensure calculated values are consistent with expectations
5.4. Record and report results in accordance with enterprise procedures
5.5. Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with enterprise procedures, if required
5.6. Interpret trends in data and/or results and report out of specification or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel
5.7. Determine if obvious procedure or equipment problems have led to atypical data or results

Element:

6. Maintain a safe work environment

Performance Criteria:

6.1. Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel
6.2. Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impacts
6.3. Ensure the safe collection of laboratory and hazardous waste for subsequent disposal
6.4. Care for and store equipment and reagents as required

Element:

7. Maintain laboratory records

Performance Criteria:

7.1. Enter approved data into laboratory information management system
7.2. Maintain confidentiality and security of enterprise information and laboratory data
7.3. Maintain equipment and calibration logs in accordance with enterprise procedures


Learning Outcomes


This is a competency based program


Details of Learning Activities

Theory classes
Lab classes
Projects
Worksheets
Groupwork
Tutorials
Presentations
Online quizzes
Exams
Assignments


Teaching Schedule

Term Dates        
Wk  Date (week of)  Theory (2hr)
Tues am (BIO)
Tues pm (PT)
 Prac (3hr)
Mon (PT)
Wed (Bio)
 Assessment Task  Value (%)
1 9/2 Outline of course
Atomic theory,
Safety
 Lab safety induction    
2 16/2  Classification of matter, atomic theory, atomic number & atomic weight, electron structure & configuration  Lab safety
Using balances

 Theory online quiz

 

Logbook & Labskills
 

 
Total of 10% for all quizzes


 
3 23/2  Periodic table, Electron configuration of atoms - shells, subshells & orbitals, Ions Laboratory glassware
OHS: MSDS & Chem Labels   

 Theory online quiz

Logbook & Labskills

 Total of 10% for all quizzes

 

4 2/3  Chemical bonds:  ionic & covalent bonding, properties of ionic & covalent compounds, Lewis dot diagrams, naming compounds, bond angles& molecular shapes    Glass pipettes  

Theory online quiz

Logbook & Labskills

Total of 10% for all quizzes

must be satisfactory

5 9/3  Review bonds, Electronegativity, classifying bonds, shapes of molecules - Lewis structures, Polar/Non-Polar molecules, Types of solutions & solubility no prac class
(Labour day)    

Theory online quiz

Logbook & Labskills

Total of 10% for all quizzes

must be satisfactory

 

6 16/3

Revision

Prac Exam 1: Using pipettes/balances

Prac Exam 1: Using pipettes/ balances

must be satisfactory

7 23/3       Theory Exam 1    No prac   Theory exam 1  30%
 8a 30/3 Formula weight, the mole, Avogadro’s number, Concentrations – Molarity & % solutions Conductivity of aqueous solutions

Prac report 1 - conductivity of aqueous solutions

Theory online quiz

Logbook & Labskills

Prac Report:
15%

Total of 10% for all quizzes


must be satisfactory

    Student Vacation 2nd Apr – 8th Apr      
 9 13/4 Spectrophotometry
Centrifuges
Preparing solutions

Theory online quiz  

Logbook & Labskills

Total of 10% for all quizzes 


must be satisfactory

 

10 20/4

Chemical equations, balancing equations  

 Spectrophotometry I  Theory online quiz Logbook & Labskills

 Total of 10% for all quizzes

 

11 27/4 Stoichiometry Spectrophotometry II  

Theory online quiz


Prac Report 2 - Spectrophotometry

Logbook & Labskills

 Total of 10% for all quizzes

Report: 15%


must be satisfactory

12 4/5

  Limiting & excess reagents,% yields, Ionic reactions & equations (net & ionic), Solubilities of ionic compounds

Peer Review Report

Micropipettes
Using Centrifuges

Theory online quiz

Logbook & Labskills
 

Total of 10% for all quizzes


must be satisfactory

13 11/5

  Reaction rates, Reversible reactions, Chemical equilibrium, Le Chatalier’s principle, Equilibrium constants    

Reaction rates, Reversible reactions, Chemical equilibrium, Le Chatalier’s principle, Equilibrium constants

Balanced chemical equations 

 Theory online quiz

Logbook & Labskills

Total of 10% for all quizzes


must be satisfactory

14 18/5  Serial Dilutions  Effect of concentration changes on equilibrium yields  

  Theory online quiz

Logbook & Labskills

Total of 10% for all quizzes


must be satisfactory

15 25/5  Revision    Prac Exam 2: Making solutions   

 Prac Exam 2: Making solutions  

Logbook & Labskills

 must be satisfactory

 

 must be satisfactory

16 1/6  Theory exam 2     No prac     Theory exam 2

Submit Logbook & Labskills Checklist
  30%

must be satisfactory
17 8/6  Alternative assessments
(Special consideration only)
Prac exam resits    


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Bettelheim, Brown, Campbell, Farrell and Torres (2013)
Introduction to General, Organic & Biochemistry, 10th Edition. Cengage Learning, Australia

Chemistry Practical Manual semester 1
Download and print the practical manual from Blackboard:Go to myRMIT and login in. Then choose the link to the Blackboard for this course


References


Other Resources

1. Students require a lab coat, safety goggles and gloves for Laboratory classes. Some safety goggles are available in the lab, but it is recommended that students buy their own for best comfort.  These can be purchased from the bookshop.
2. An exercise book for the logbook.This should be a bound book, not spiral. 30 pages is sufficient.
3. A permanent marker pen, fine or medium, for labelling tubes etc.


Overview of Assessment

Assessments for this course typically consist of:
• Class activities
• Assignments
• Presentations
• Exams


Assessment Tasks


Assessment 1.
Theory Online quizzes (Each week)
(Best 10 quiz scores count)
10% AND must get average pass for all quizzes


Assessment 2.
2 Theory Exams (end of terms 1 and 2)
30% + 30% = 60%

In week of 23/3/15 and week of 1/6/15


Assessment 3. Laboratory practice.

a. 2 Prac Reports
1: Conductivity of aqueous solutions (term 1) - done in lab class week of 30/3/15, report due 2 weeks later
2: Spectrophotometry (term 2) - done in lab class week of 27/4/15, report due 2 weeks later
15% + 15% = 30%

b. 2 Prac Exams
1: Balances & Glass pipettes (term 1) lab in week of 16/3/15
2: Making solutions (term 2) lab in week of 25/5/15
Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory

c. Logbook & Labskills:
Logbook and Labskills Checklist is to be signed off each week by teacher and submitted after lab 3 for a mid semester review and at end of semester. Finalise checklist in lab during week of 25/5/15
Students must write up their logbook for at least 80% of classes.
Only labs where the student was present will be signed off.
Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Assessment information
This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also utilises graded assessment. Grades are as follows:

  • CHD Competent with High Distinction (80 – 100%)
  • CDI Competent with Distinction (60 – 79%)
  • CC Competent with Credit (50 – 59%)
  • CAG Competency Achieved – Graded (0 – 49%)
  • NYC Not Yet Competent
  • DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

• All assessment types must be passed (exams, prac, and assignments etc.). For example, if there are two tests you need to have an average of 50% to pass. You can’t make up marks from one type of assessment to another (e.g. pass the tests but fail the prac component).
• Attendance at practical classes is compulsory. A minimum of 80% attendance is required to pass this course. If you are sick you should submit a medical certificate to 6th floor office addressed to the Program Coordinator.
• Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected.
• APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK- A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available online http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51, or emailed to the Coordinator (amber.mitton@rmit.edu.au).
• Students requiring extensions longer than 7 days must apply for Special Consideration (see the ‘Help me’ link in blackboard, via myRMIT studies or http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration) For missed assessments such as exams - you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence (e.g. medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination.
• If you miss an assessment task due to unavoidable circumstances, you need to follow the procedure of special consideration and apply within the allowed time frame.

Time Allowance for this course
The 100 nominal hours for this unit are allocated as follows:
Preparation for class/ Research work/ Report completion :16x 1hour/week= 16 hours
Theory Class:14 x 1 hour/week= 14 hours
Theory at home/Online Quiz/Revision: 14 x 1 hour/wk+ 2 x 2hr revision =18 hours
Laboratory Activities & Lab Skills Exams :16x3 hours= 48 hours
Theory Tests: 2 x 1.5 hours + 1 hour alternate assessment (if required) =4 hours
Total 100

Course Overview: Access Course Overview