Course Title: Perform chemical tests and procedures
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2009
Course Code: ONPS5201C
Course Title: Perform chemical tests and procedures
School: 155T Life & Physical Sciences
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5183 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology)
Course Contact : Kirsten Balding
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4283
Course Contact Email:Kirsten.balding@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Brian Long - Demonstrator.
Contact by email at brian.long@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
Students must demonstrate the underpinning knowledge and practical skills of Prepare, standardise & use solutions (ONPS 5200C) by gaining a satisfactory pass in first semester. If these requirements are not met additional classes may be provided to students.
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: |
PMLTEST404A Perform chemical tests and procedures |
Element: |
Check equipment before use |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Set up equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements |
Element: |
Interpret and schedule test requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1Review test request to identify samples to be tested, test method and equipment/instruments involved |
Element: |
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 |
Element: |
Maintain laboratory records |
Performance Criteria: |
7.1 Enter approved data into laboratory information management system |
Element: |
Process and interpret data |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Record test data noting atypical observations |
Element: |
Receive and prepare samples |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Log samples using standard operating procedure |
Element: |
Test samples to determine chemical species or properties |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
• Teacher directed face-to face delivery of lessons
• Whole class Discussion
• Pair/group discussion
• Small group workshops
• Revision quizzes
• Worksheets
• Laboratory experiments
• Record keeping of experiments
• Research activities
See the Teaching Schedule (below) for details.
Teaching Schedule
Week No. | Date (week of:) | Theory Topic | Prac Topic | Assessment |
1 | 13/7 | Theory: Introduction to acids & bases, pH. Measuring pH, titration |
Measuring pH - Indicators | Log Book only |
2 | 20/7 |
Theory: pH & pOH Strong & weak acids & bases, pKa) |
Analysis of Vinegar by Titration |
Prac report: Titration |
3 | 27/7 | Pipetting workshop (Eppendorf) (To be confirmed ) |
Measuring pH - the pH meter |
Log Book only |
4 | 3/8 |
Theory: Introduction to Buffers, Predicting pH of buffer solutions |
Buffers I |
Log Book only |
5 | 10/8 |
Theory: Buffering capacity, pH compared to pKa, buffer concentration |
Buffers II |
Log Book only |
6 | 17/8 |
Theory: Intermolecular bonding, Water as a solvent |
Making TE buffer/practise for prac exam Making a saturated solution |
Log Book only |
7 | 24/8 |
Revision (online) |
Prac Exam (using a pH meter) |
Prac Exam |
8 | 31/8 | Mid Semester exams |
||
9 | 7/9 | (Prac only) | Solvent Properties of water |
Prac Report |
10 | 14/9 | (Theory Only) Enzymes | ||
21/9 |
Mid semester break | |||
|
||||
11 |
28/9 |
(Prac only) - half the class only |
Prac- IDH Enzyme Assay |
Prac report |
12 | 5/10 |
(Prac only) - other half of class |
Prac- IDH Enzyme Assay |
(Prac report ) |
13 | 12/10 |
(Theory Only) Oxidation & Reduction (Redox) Reactions |
||
14 | 19/10 | (Prac only) |
Prac - Redox: Half cells and Electrochemical Series |
Log Book only |
15 | 26/10 | Revision (online) |
||
16 | 2/11 | Exams |
End of semester exams | |
17 | 9/11 | Alternative assessment (Supp Exams) |
Alternative assessment |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Bettelheim FA, Brown WH, Campbell MK, Farrell SO (2007) General, Organic and Biochemistry 8th Ed. Thomson/Brooks-Cole, Australia (ISBN 0-495-01197-5) |
0-495-01197-5 |
References
n/a |
Other Resources
Lab coat, protective gloves, safety glasses, appropriate footwear & a logbook are required at all practical classes.
Logbook:
A logbook is required for this course to record all experimental details. The logbook must be brought to class each week and signed off by the teacher.
The book needs to be a bound NON-SPIRAL exercise book.
Completion of experimental records in the logbook trains students how to keep good records that can be used as “proof of discovery”. These logbooks form legal documents that can be used to prove discovery for Intellectual Property & patenting purposes & thus form an important part of the course.
SPIRAL bound books ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Overview of Assessment
Assessments for this course typically consist of:
• Class activities
• Assignments
• Presentations
• Exam
Assessment Tasks
Attendance: 80% attendance is required to pass the course.
1. Prac Report 1
Value: 10%
Topic: Titration
When: Week 2
2. Theory Exam 1
Value: 30%
Topic: Term 3 topics only (see LearningHub information)
When: Week 8
3. Prac Exam
Value: competent
Topic: Using a pH meter
When: Week 8
4. Prac Report 2
Value: 15%
Topic: Solvent Properties of Water
When: Week 10
5. Prac Report 3
Value: 15%
Topic: IDH Enzyme Assay
When: Week 11 or 12
6. Theory Exam 2
Value: 30%
Topic: Term 4 topics only
When: Week 16
7. Logbook
Value: Must be "competent"
Topic: All pracs - must be signed off weekly by teacher
When: Submit completed logbook by end of Week 16
Total: 100 %
All reports are due 2 weeks after the day that the practical is performed. If you miss a write up prac you will only be eligible to write up a different prac if you provide a medical certificate. For this to occur you need to discuss your situation with the teacher as soon as possible. Other reasons for missing a write up prac do not mean that you can write up a different report.
Logbooks need to be signed off by a supervisor each week and submitted at the end of semester.
All assessment tasks must be completed competently to pass the course.
80% attendance is required to pass the course.
Assessment Matrix
Course Overview: Access Course Overview