Course Title: Prepare working solutions

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: ONPS5323C

Course Title: Prepare working solutions

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4411 - Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation

Course Contact: Tracey Salter

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4272

Course Contact Email: tracey.salter@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 50

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

Nil

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to prepare working solutions and to check that existing stocks of solutions are suitable for use. Working solutions include those required to perform laboratory tests. Personnel are required to calculate quantities and make dilutions.

This unit of competency applies to laboratory assistants working in all industry sectors.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

MSL973026 Prepare working solutions

Element:

1. Make up working solutions

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Use appropriate safety procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel 3.2 Store reagents and clean and store glassware and equipment in accordance with workplace procedures 3.3 Minimise generation of waste and environmental impacts 3.4 Clean up spills using appropriate techniques 3.5 Ensure the safe collection of laboratory and hazardous waste for subsequent disposal

Element:

2. Check existing stock of solutions

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify the relevant standard methods for solution preparation 1.2 Assemble specified laboratory equipment 1.3 Select and prepare materials and solvent of specified purity 1.4 Measure appropriate quantities of reagents for solution preparation and record data 1.5 Prepare labels and log solution details in accordance with workplace procedures 1.6 Transfer solutions to appropriately labelled containers

Element:

3. Maintain a safe work environment

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Monitor shelf life of working solutions and identify those that are unfit for use in accordance with workplace procedures 2.2 Replace out-of-date or reject solutions in accordance with workplace procedures


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Students are expected to participate actively in all learning activities that include:
- discussion and participation in class presentations/lectures

-simulated workplace activities
- working independently or in groups in preparing solutions
- Maintaining independently or in groups a safe work environment


Teaching Schedule

Semester 1 2025                                                                  Teaching Schedule ONPS5323C

 

Prepare working solutions MSL973026

 

 

Week

Theory Topic

Practical sessions

 

Comments

1

Overview of:

  • course content
  • assessment requirements.

 

  • Maintain a safe work environment (safety induction and introduction to lab facilities)
  • SDS and SOP’s
  • Using a scientific balance, measurement, and glassware

 

 

All students to attend

 

Non graded safety quiz

2

  • Defining solution 
  • Making a standard solution, factors affecting solubility
  • Units of concentration, SI units.
  • (C1V1=C2V2)

 

  • Pipetting and solution making
  • Identify /using relevant standard methods for solution preparation and assemble specified laboratory equipment.
  • Calculations and preparing solutions

 

All students to attend

 

 

 

3

  • Atoms, molecules, elements and compounds, ions, moles, molar mass.

 

  • Periodic table

 

  • Make a solution

All students to attend

 

4

Concepts of meterology:

  • Measurements are estimates, precision and accuracy, significant figures
  • basic theory of acids, bases, buffers and indicators

 

Assessment Task 1:

Make 3 solutions

 

 

Assessment Task 1

Split lab session

(Subgroup 1)

 

5

  • Check/Monitoring solution quality and shelf life
  • Prepare labels and log solutions details in accordance with workplace procedures

 

 

Assessment Task 1:

Make 3 solutions

 

 

Assessment Task 1

Split lab session

(Subgroup 2)

 

6

  • Maintain a safe work environment
  • Store reagents and glassware
  • Promote sustainability
  • Concepts of traceability
  • pH testing activity
  • Clean up spills and ensure safe collection of laboratory waste and hazardous waste for subsequent disposal
  • Practice for AT 2

 

 

All students to attend

 

7

  • Sources of error, uncertainty and repeatability

Assessment Task 2:

Prepare and check working solutions

 

 

Assessment Task 2

Split lab session

(Subgroup 1)

 

8

  • Different types of solutions.
  • environmental sustainability issues,
  • legal, ethical and work,
  • health and safety requirements

Assessment Task 2:

Prepare and check working solutions

Assessment Task 2

Split lab session

(Subgroup 2)

9

Revision

Assessment Task 3

All students to attend

For all groups

10

Catchup only with approved special consideration

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:

The Learning Lab:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

The Study Support Hub:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub

English for uni workshops:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/emglish-uni-workshops


Overview of Assessment

You may be assessed using any of the following:

knowledge quizzes

practical observations

practical reports

assignments

presentations


Assessment Tasks

To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher within a given time frame (usually within two weeks of assessment submission) of each assessment task. You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria and due dates

To successfully complete this course you need to be satisfactory in all of the following assessments (dates in the syllabus)

Assessment Task 1: Make three solutions 

Assessment Task 2: Prepare and check working solutions 

Assessment Task 3: Theory Assessment

You will be given two attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required skills.

A third attempt can only be offered after discussions between the teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic.

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:

  • CA: Competency Achieved
  • NYC: Not Yet Competent
  • DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment

 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates the alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.

Other Information

Attendance:

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises.

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

Information about your studies:

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc. 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

Extensions of time for submission of assessable work:

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension of up to seven (7) calendar days in writing (email) to your Program Coordinator one working day BEFORE the due date. Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/my-course/assessment-results/special-consideration-extensions

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration.

Special consideration:

If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances, you are unable to attend on the due date of an assessment (e.g.test, examination, oral, etc.), you may submit an application for special consideration within 5 working days of the due date. If special consideration is granted, you will be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date. For advice on this application please visit Special Consideration Website

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/my-course/assessment-results/special-consideration-extensions/special-consideration

  or speak to your Program Coordinator.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity

Use of AI has certain restrictions in this course. Please refer to assessment instructions for guidelines on the conditions for the use of AI tools in assessments.

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Learning Resources:

Prescribed Texts

None (Learning material provided on Canvas)

References:

Here are some useful resources to assist with your learning: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/study-support/consultations   

You are advised to look on Canvas for ongoing updated information.

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:

The Learning Lab:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

The Study Support Hub:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub

English for uni workshops

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/emglish-uni-workshops

Course Overview: Access Course Overview