Course Title: Perform chemical tests and procedures

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2019

Course Code: BIOL5230C

Course Title: Perform chemical tests and procedures

School: 174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5363 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology)

Course Contact: Namrita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4837

Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Kirsten Balding

kirsten.balding@rmit.edu.au

 

Paul Burgio

paul.burgio@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

None

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:

MSL974003 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 and instruments involved 1.2 Identify hazards and workplace control measures associated with the sample, preparation and test methods, reagents and/or equipment
1.3 Plan work sequences to optimise throughput of multiple samples

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 and instruments in accordance with test method requirements
3.2 Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with relevant workplace 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
3.5 Quarantine out-of-calibration equipment and 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 and instruments in accordance with test method requirements
4.2 Perform tests or procedures on all samples and standards in accordance with specified methods
4.3 Shut down equipment and 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 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 workplace procedures
5.5 Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with workplace procedures
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 (PPE) 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 (LIMS)
7.2 Maintain confidentiality and security of workplace information and laboratory data
7.3 Maintain equipment and calibration logs in accordance with workplace procedures


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

learning activities will include face-to-face theory classes, laboratory exercises, group discussions, worksheets


Teaching Schedule

Semester 1, 2019

 

Week #

Date week of

Theory (2hr)
Thurs/Fri

Lab (3hr)

Mon/Wed

Purpose

Assessment

1

 

11-Feb

Topic 1

1.Outline of course

2. Metrology: SigFigs, Exp. Notation, SI Units

Lab safety induction

(combined session)

Meet the class, Sign safety rules, Lab records, Flowcharting lab methods

safety induction

 

2

18-Feb

Topic 2

Lab 1

 

 

   

Classifying matter,
atomic theory, atomic number & atomic weight, subatomic particles

Lab Safety

Mass

Using balances

safety induction (part 2)

Lab Records

 

skill building

Show knowledge

3

25-Feb

Topic 3

Lab 2

 

 

   

Periodic table, Electron configuration of atoms - shells, subshells & orbitals, Ions

Volume

Lab glassware **new**

Glass pipettes

Mixing solutions **new**

skill building

Show knowledge

Lab Records

Online quiz 1 (Topics 1-3)

4

4-Mar

Topic 4

Lab 3

 

 

   

Chemical bonds:
ionic & covalent bonding, properties of ionic & covalent compounds, Lewis dot diagrams, naming compounds

Volume

Micropipettes

Prepare Samples: Centrifuges (cover safety & calcs here)

Equipment and Calibration Logs**new**

skill building

Show knowledge

Lab Records

 

 

 

5

11-Mar

Topic 5

Lab 4

 

 

   

Review bonds, Electronegativity, classifying bonds, bond angles, molecular shapes

Chemical Test 1 Conductivity of aqueous solutions (Incl. MSDS)

 

Calibration 1 and Chemical Test 2

pH of urine using a pH meter **new**

Perform chemical test

Show knowledge

Lab Records  Labskills

Calibration 1
pH meter

Online quiz 2 (Safety)

 

6

18-Mar

Topic 6

 

 

 

  

  

Polar/Non-Polar molecules

Mon class(Labour Day)-
no lab class

Wed class:
Logbook review

Record keeping

Midsemester Logbook review

7

25-Mar

Quiz 3

Logbook catch up

Practical Exam
Pipettes & Balances, Mixing solutions, Grades of Glassware **new**

 

skill building; formal feedback

Lab Skills Exam 1

Online quiz 3 (Topics 4-6)

 

8

1-Apr

Questions for quizzes

Logbook catch up

 

Catch up session**

Practical exam

pH of urine using a pH meter

LOGBOOK REVIEW

 

Last chance Catch up**

LabSkills Exam 1

Calibration 1

Online Quiz 1-3

 

*Subject to change.  **Catch up sessions are only for students with supporting documentation for absence or retests.

Calibrations: Required for BIOL5239C/MSL934004

 

Continued on the next page…


 

 

9

8-Apr

Topic 7

 

 

 

 

   

Formula weight, the mole,

Avogadro's number, Concentration:
Molarity & % solutions

Lab Skills Exam Retests & LOGBOOK REVIEW

skill building; formal feedback

Show knowledge

Lab Records

 

10

15-Apr

Topic 8

Lab 5

 

 

 

 

 

Spectrophotometry,

Balancing Chemical Equations

(no class on Friday 19/4 due to Good Friday - come to other session or do at home)

Prepare Solutions

Incl. Chem Labels

skill building

Show knowledge

Lab Records Labskills

 

   

Fri 19th Apr – Friday 26th Apr Student vacation (Easter/Anzac Day)

 

 

11

29-Apr

Topic 9

Lab 6

 

 

 

   

Stoichiometry

Solubility,
Types of solutions

 

Chemical Test 3

Spectrophotometry of CuSO4

Perform chemical test

Show knowledge

Lab Records  Labskills

Online quiz 4 (Topics 7-8)

 

12

6-May

Topic 10

Lab 7

 

 

 

   

Limiting & excess reagents,% yields, 

Ionic reactions & equations (net & ionic), Solubilities of ionic compounds

Calibration 2 and
Chemical Test 4
Spectrophotometry of Red soft drink

Perform chemical test

Show knowledge

Lab Records  Labskills

 

Calibration 2 Spectrophotometer

 

13

13-May

Topic 11

Lab 8

 

 

 

   

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

Chemical Test 5

Precipitation of BaSO4
(Complete Part B to achieve multiple measurements requirement)

Perform chemical test

Show knowledge

Lab Records  Labskills

 

14

20-May

 

Lab 9

 

 

 

   

Final Logbook Review

Calibration 3
Calibrate a thermometer

 

Chemical Test 6

Spectrophotometry of Green food dye **new**

Final Logbook review

Perform chemical test

Show knowledge

Lab Records  Labskills

Calibration 3thermometer

FINALLogbook Review

 

15

27-May

Final Logbook review

Practical Exam 2

Spectrophotometry of Blue food dye **new**

Calibration 2 catch up*

Perform chemical test (Spectrophotometry)

Practical Exam 2

Calibration 2 catch up*

FINALLogbook Review

Online quiz 5 (Topics 9-11)

 

16

Week of 3-Jun

Final Logbook review Resub’s

Practical Exam 2

Catchup session**

Calibration 3 catch up*

Final Logbook review Resub’s

Show knowledge & skills

Catchup**
Online Quiz 4 & 5

Practical Exam 2

Calibration 3

FINALLogbook Review resub’s

 

 

17

Week of 10-Jun

Prac exam retests

Alternative assessments (Special consideration only)

 

                 

*Subject to change.  **Catch up sessions are only for students with supporting documentation for absence or retests.

Calibrations: Required for BIOL5239C/MSL934004. Safe work practice during Labs in this course will be assessed for OHYH5992C/MSL944002.  Refer to individual courses for more information.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Online quizzes

written tests

written practical reports

laboratory skills tests

laboratory logbook


Assessment Tasks

 

 

Assessments

When

Grading

Assessment 1: Online Quizzes

Online quiz 1 – Topics 1-3

Online quiz 2 – Lab Safety

Online quiz 3 – Topics 4-6

Online quiz 4 – Topics 7-8

Online quiz 5 – Topics 9-11

Week 3

Week 4

Week 7

Week 11

Week 15

Satisfactory/NYS

 

Assessment 2: Lab Records
Checklist

Lab Records (Logbook, Report results)

Students must write up their logbook for at least 80% of labs

AND have records evaluated as follows:

Get logbook & checklist signed off each week,
Get your logbook and checklist assessed at mid-semester and end of semester.

You must attend 80% of labs

 

To achieve satisfactory records and evidence of knowledge you need to keep timely and satisfactory records for all attended labs.  

Prelab questions, all experimental records including calibration and equipment logs, AND analysis questions must be completed. Additionally results are to be reported to the proforma or LIMS as shown in the Lab Manual.

 

Only labs where a student was present are assessable.

Complete logbook record, results reports and required logs for all attended labs

 

Submit logbook for assessor reviews in Lab class time:
Mid semester: 
week 6 (wed class only)
 or week 9

AND

End of semester:
week 14

Satisfactory/NYS

 

Assessment 3: Lab Skills Checklist

To meet skills assessment requirements (shown below) you must complete at least 3 chemical tests to a satisfactory standard of performance and safety.

Get your Lab skills checklist signed off for 3 chemical tests

Perform 3 chemical tests

There are 5 chemical tests available where your performance can be evaluated. This will be captured on the Lab Skills checklist. See the course schedule for dates.

 

Satisfactory/NYS

Assessment 4: Lab Skills Exam 1
Balances, Micropipettes, Glassware

Lab skills must be demonstrated to a satisfactory standard

See class schedule for specific dates for each lab

 

Week 7

Satisfactory/NYS

Assessment 5: Lab Skills Exam 2
Spectrophotometry

Lab skills must be demonstrated to a satisfactory standard

See class schedule for specific dates for each lab

 

Week 15

Satisfactory/NYS

NYS = Not yet satisfactory

 

NOTE: Calibrations done in this course are required for BIOL5239C/MSL934004. Safe work practice during Labs in this course will be assessed for OHTH5992C/MSL944002. Refer to individual courses for assessment requirements.

 


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Assessment information

This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment

CA Competency Achieved  
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

To pass the course you need achieve a satisfactory result for all assessments. Students may be given additional opportunities to demonstrate competence. 

Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension (see below) 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 (http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application should be emailed to the program Coordinator (amber.mitton @rmit.edu.au). Students requiring longer extensions must apply for SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.

• For missed assessments you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence prior to, or within, 5 days of the scheduled time of the assessment http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

• Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data and oral presentation. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. It also occurs through enabling plagiarism, which is the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work. Please make sure you consider this carefully in completing all your work and assessments in this course and if you are unsure about whether you might have plagiarised, seek help from your teacher.

What does “all assessments must be passed” mean exactly?

This means you need to pass all assessments listed in the table ie:

  • in your Lab record AND
  • Lab records are completed for at least 80% of labs, AND
  • Logbook includes satisfactory records for all attended labs
  • Both Lab skills exams are passed AND
  • Lab skills demonstrate satisfactory performance for at least 3 chemical tests including spectrophotometry AND
  • Students must attend at least 80% of Laboratory classes.
     If you miss a lab you should provide a copy of your medical certificate or other evidence (court appearance, funeral notice, statutory declaration) to the teacher.

NOTE: This course is equivalent to BIOL5245C (MSL974019 Perform chemical tests & procedures)

Course Overview: Access Course Overview