Course Title: Chemistry Principles
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Chemistry Principles
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
CHEM1242 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
135H Applied Sciences |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 2 2013, Sem 1 2014, Sem 2 2014, Sem 1 2015, Sem 2 2015, Sem 1 2016, Sem 2 2016 |
CHEM1242 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
171H School of Science |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2017, Sem 2 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 2 2018, Sem 1 2019, Sem 2 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 2 2020, Sem 1 2021, Sem 1 2022 |
CHEM1243 |
Bundoora Campus |
Undergraduate |
135H Applied Sciences |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009 |
Course Coordinator: Dr Joel van Embden
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2839
Course Coordinator Email: joel.vanembden@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: 3.2.07
Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment, by email
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
This is an introductory, enabling course that requires no formal prerequisites. However, if you have not done VCE (high-school level) Chemistry, you may want to seek the support of the RMIT University Learning Lab for Maths, statistics, physics and chemistry via the RMIT Library.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to university level chemistry. The course has an emphasis on the topics and areas necessary for an understanding of Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Food Chemistry and other broader disciplines that require some key knowledge of the core Principles within Chemistry.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
This course contributes to School of Applied Science Program Learning Outcomes at AQF Level 7:
PLO-2 Scientific Knowledge
PLO-3 Inquiry and Problem Solving
Upon successful completion of Chemistry Principles you will be able to:
- Describe the constitution of substances, together with their chemical and physio-chemical properties.
- Relate the chemical properties and physio-chemical behaviour of substances to their structure and composition.
- Use theoretical models and concepts to explain and interpret observed facts about chemical behaviour.
- Perform chemical calculations involving measurement of amount, methods of expressing concentration of solutions and stoichiometry of reactions.
The laboratory component will further develop your practical capabilities. You will:
- Be able to safely and efficiently perform simple chemical laboratory processes;
- Be able to conduct, record, analyse and interpret chemical observations and measurements;
- Be able to effectively communicate the results, at a consolidating level; and
- Develop scientific problem-solving skills.
Overview of Learning Activities
This is a theory and laboratory-based course.
This course is structured to run in two parallel streams – “Organic Chemistry” and “General Chemistry”. The General Chemistry component covers topics in both Inorganic and Physical Chemistry. The course consists of a combination of a theory component and a practical (laboratory) component, both supported by online material and tutorials.
Theory component: Recorded lectures and related references/resources will present you with the key concepts and information relevant to the understanding of the streams. You will be expected to participate in online sessions where required. You will be expected to undertake tutorial problems to assist with the development of logical thinking and problem-solving skills and to attend the tutorial classes. Classes will guide you to obtain a suitable body of knowledge in the topic area and provide you with an indication of your understanding of the topics covered.
Laboratory component: You will be expected to attend the laboratory sessions and complete the associated laboratory assessment component.
During the laboratory component you will gain a deep understanding of core chemical principles including nomenclature (the naming of organic compounds/molecules) and chemical bonding; thermodynamics and calorimetry; acid/base chemistry; and electrochemistry. You will be introduced to the practice of chemistry through this laboratory program, which has been specifically designed to illustrate aspects of those concepts covered in the theory component.
Overview of Learning Resources
In the lectures/lectorials, we will present you with the material, give you demonstrations that illustrate the material, and give you opportunities to do problems that will enable you to see whether or not you have understood the core concepts of the course. We very much encourage interaction during lectures and tutorials.
The practical sessions are where you will learn to conduct experiments and present your results and conclusions clearly and concisely. Therefore, it is compulsory to thoroughly read through each laboratory practical prior to the laboratory class, so that you can get the most out of your time.
A detailed Course Syllabus will be provided on Canvas. Further details will be provided via Canvas announcements .
It is important to regularly check your email and the Canvas site as the schedule can sometimes change due to illness and other factors.
Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible internet sites will be provided.
Overview of Assessment
The assessment will be based on a combination of a formal mid-semester assessment, your performance in the laboratory assignments, and the final negotiated assessments. Specifically:
Assessment Task 1: Online Quiz
Weighting 15%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 – 4
Assessment Task 2: Laboratory Reports
Weighting 35%
This assessment task supports CLOs 5 – 8
Assessment Tasks 3 Online Organic Chemistry Test
Weighting 17%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 – 4
Assessment Task 4: Online General Chemistry Test
Weighting 33%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 – 4