Course Title: Environmental Chemistry 1A
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Environmental Chemistry 1A
Credit Points: 12.00
Important Information:
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
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 |
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
On successful completion of this course you will be able to:
- Describe, explain and apply fundamental concepts of chemistry
- display technical competence in basic chemistry; specifically collect, accurately record, interpret, and draw conclusions from scientific data
- plan a chemical investigation including developing a testable hypothesis
- work effectively, responsibly, and safely in an individual or team context
- develop as an independent and self-directed learner
This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes at AQF level 7
- PLO 3 understanding science, demonstrate a coherent understanding of environmental science
- PLO 2 scientific knowledge, exhibit depth and breadth of environmental science knowledge
- PLO 3 inquiry and problem solving, critically analyse and solve problems in environmental science
- PLO 4 communication, be an effective communicator of environmental science
- PLO 5 personal and professional responsibility, be accountable for individual learning and scientific work in environmental science
This course contributes to the following Program Learning |Outcomes at AQF level 9
- PLO 1.1 a body knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in both the understanding of environmental processes and the technological advance in measurement techniques, remediation processes and pollution control
- PLO 1.2 knowledge of the research principles and methods applicable to studying the chemical, biological and physical processes occurring in the environment
- PLO 2.4 communication and technical research skills to enable you to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
- PLO 3.4 to plan and execute a substantial environmental research-based project.
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.