Course Title: Environmental Issues in Chemical Perspective

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Environmental Issues in Chemical Perspective

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

CHEM1014

City Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

CHEM1014

City Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023

CHEM1267

City Campus

Postgraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2016

CHEM1267

City Campus

Postgraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019

Course Coordinator: Dr James Tardio

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2127

Course Coordinator Email: james.tardio@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 3.2.21

Course Coordinator Availability: Book appointment via email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This is an introductory, enabling course requiring no formal prerequisites,Prior background in VCE Chemistry will be beneficial but not essential.

 


Course Description

This Course will introduce you to the principles of chemistry within an environmental context and will enable you to develop and practise independent learning skills. This course will also give you an appreciation of scientific methodology and enable you to develop those problem-solving and critical-thinking skills necessary to analyse and discuss chemical and physical phenomena in the environment. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for:

BH080 Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Honours)
BP192 Bachelor of Environmental Science


On successful completion of this course you will be able to: 

  1. Describe, explain and apply fundamental concepts of chemistry
  2. Display technical competence in basic chemistry; specifically collect, accurately record, interpret, and draw conclusions from scientific data
  3. Plan a chemical investigation including developing a testable hypothesis
  4. Work effectively, responsibly, and safely in an individual or team context
  5. Develop as an independent and self-directed learner 


Overview of Learning Activities

As part of this Course, you 

  • will regularly access the extensive range of on-line learning resources via Canvas 
  • will watch the online lectures in which the syllabus material will be presented and explained, and the topic will be illustrated with demonstrations and examples. 
  • during the lectures you will work through examples and problems. 
  • should attend (on-line) weekly tutorials that will reinforce lecture materials. 
  • will routinely attend and participate in weekly practical sessions and you will learn to prepare ahead and plan your activities before entering a laboratory. 

Details of Learning Activities

Pre-recorded lectures - these will involve discussion of the material covered in this course. In each lecture example problems will be worked through and you will be given an opportunity to complete example problems.

Tutorials - these will involve working through problems assigned on the different topics covered in real time - you will have an opportunity to ask questions and to obtain further information.

Practical classes -  You will conduct experimental work and write up the findings you obtained from your experimental work.  

 

 

 


Overview of Learning Resources

The prescribed textbook is:

  • Silberberg, M., "Chemistry, The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change" (McGraw-Hill)

Other textbooks that are used are:

  • McMurry, J., "Organic Chemistry" (Brookes-Cole)
  • Aylward, G. and Findlay, F., "SI Chemical Data" (Wiley)

The Additional learning material available to you includes:

  • Lecture material including class problems available on Canvas
  • Tutorial problem sheets
  • Practical manual with activities that will be completed in the practical class


Overview of Assessment

This course contains hurdle requirements. All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching). 

 

Theory Assessment  

Weighting: 25% 

Addresses CLOs 1 & 5

 

Authentic Assessment 

Weighting: 25% 

Addresses CLOs 1 & 5

 

Online quizzes 

Weighting: 10% 

Addresses CLOs 1 & 5

 

Practical Assessments

Weighting: 40% 

Addresses CLOs 1-5

 

Please note that the Practical Assessments are a Hurdle component, which means that you must pass this section to obtain at least a Pass grade in the Course. This hurdle assures you will demonstrate competency in lab safety.