Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2024

Course Code: ONPS7806C

Course Title: Prepare, standardise and use solutions

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4433 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

Course Contact: Rauha Quazi

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4277

Course Contact Email: rauha.quazi@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Tasneem Cutchhi

tasneem.cutchhi@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

Nil.

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to prepare, standardise and monitor the quality of solutions.

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

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	MSL974031 Prepare, standardise and use solutions
Element:	1. Prepare solutions
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Select appropriate procedure for solution preparation 1.2 Select equipment, materials and solvent of specified purity 1.3 Measure appropriate quantities of reagents for solution preparation and record data 1.4 Select and assemble specified laboratory equipment and appropriate grade of glassware 1.5 Perform specified dilutions1.6 Prepare solutions to achieve homogeneous mix of the specified concentration 1.7 Label and store solutions to maintain identity and stability
Element:	2. Standardise and use volumetric solutions
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Assemble appropriate laboratory equipment 2.2 Standardise the solution to the required specified range and precision 2.3 Label and store solutions to maintain identity and stability 2.4 Use standard volumetric solutions to determine concentration of unknown solutions
Element:	3. Calculate and record data
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Accurately calculate specified concentrations 3.2 Use authorised procedure if data is to be modified 3.3 Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with workplace procedures 3.4 Record all relevant details in accordance with workplace procedures 3.5 Report concentration with appropriate units
Element:	4. Monitor the quality of laboratory solutions
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Check solutions for visual deterioration and expiry date 4.2 Record details and label solutions in accordance with workplace procedures
Element:	5. Maintain a safe work environment
Performance Criteria:	5.1 Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel 5.2 Clean up spills using appropriate techniques to protect personnel, work area and environment 5.3 Minimise generation of waste and environmental impacts 5.4 Ensure the safe collection of laboratory and hazardous waste for subsequent disposal 5.5 Store equipment and reagents in accordance with workplace procedures

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

1. Tutorials
2. class exercises to review discussions
3. Online learning activities
4. Practicals

Teaching Schedule

Note: While all course content in this schedule will be covered, the weekly order may change depending on class needs and availability of resources.

Week	Week beginning	Topic	Lab	Assessment/Learning activity
1	15 July	Introduction to acids and bases	Working safely in a chemistry lab and Use of glassware and lab equipment	Learning activity -  not assessed
2	22 July	Measuring pH of solutions	Preparing solutions and dilutions Review concentration	Learning activity -  not assessed
3	29 July	Introduction to buffer	Lab 1: Measuring pH of a range of solutions using indicators and pH meter	Task 1: Log Book:  Knowledge evidence
4	5 Aug	Introduction to titration	Lab 2: Predicting buffer pH	Task 1: Log Book:  Knowledge evidence
5	12 Aug	Standardisation of solutions	Lab 3: Analysis of Vinegar by Titration	Learning activity -  not assessed
6	19 Aug	Review titration	Lab 4: Standardising 0.2 M NaOH solution with KHP	Task 1: Log Book
7	26 Aug	Titration Curve	Lab 4 Standardisation 1: Standardising 0.2 M NaOH solution with KHP	Task 2: Lab Skills Standardisation 1
Mid semester Break: 2 – 8 September
8	9 Sept	Redox reactions and redox titration	Lab 5 Standardisation 2: Standardising 0.1 M NaOH solution with KHP	Tasks 1 & 2: Log Book & Lab Skills Standardisation 2
9	16 Sept	Lab only	Lab 6: Determination of Lactic acid concentration in milk using acid-base titration	Tasks 1 & 2: Log Book & Lab Skills Standardisation 2 (catch up)
10	23 Sept	Lab catch up	Logbook review and lab catch up	Log Book & Lab Skills catch up
11	30 Sept	Lab only	Lab 7: Titration Curve of a strong base against a weak acid	Learning activity -  not assessed
12	7 Oct	Lab only	Lab 8: Standardisation of potassium iodate	Task 1: Log Book
13	14 Oct	Lab only	Lab 8 Standardisation 3: Standardisation of potassium iodate	Task 2: Lab Skills Standardisation 3
14	21 Oct	Lab only	Lab 9: Determination of vitamin C content in a vitamin tablet using redox titration	Tasks 1 & 2: Log Book & Lab Skills Standardisation 3 (catch up)
15	28 Oct	Lab only	Lab 10: Determination the vitamin C content in red capsicum using redox titration	Learning activity -  not assessed
16	4 Nov	Lab catch up	Logbook review and lab catch up	Log Book & Lab Skills catch up

Note: Assessment catch ups are only for people with a medical certificate or special consideration granted, or who didnot meet the precision and accuracy requirements on their 1st attempt.

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Flowers P., Robinson W. R., Langley R., Theopold K (2015), Chemistry, OpenStax, Houstan, Texas.
Ball, D. W., Hill, J. H. and Scott, R. (2011), The basics of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry, Saylor Foundation.

Other Resources

Online Learning materials will be provided, via canvas, during the course.

Printed copy of the structured logbook is required to keep lab records. You need to print hard copies of the structured logbook available via canvas. 

A scientific calculator is needed to perform calculations.

Safety equipment: lab coat, closed shoes, gloves

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/english-uni-workshops

Overview of Assessment

Assessment may include:

• knowledge tests
• practical skills test
• practical logbooks
• presentations
• group work
• research
• lab reports
• assignments

 

Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.  

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 at the conclusion of each assessment task. 

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria and due dates.

Assessment	When
Assessment task 1 of 2:Lab Records	Week 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 14
Assessment task 2 of 2: Lab skills*   Standardisation 1  Standardisation 2 Standardisation 3	Week 7 Week 8 or 9 Week 13 or 14

* Lab skills include 3 standardisations of different solutions to the required precision and accuracy. You also need to demonstrate your ability to follow procedure and work safely in a laboratory along with completing lab work in timely manner.

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 

Resubmissions

To successfully complete the course, you need to achieve a satisfactory result for every assessment task. For each assessment you will be given up to two (2) attempts, however, to be granted the second attempt at any assessment, your first attempt must be an appropriate attempt to try and gain a satisfactory outcome. For example, you must appropriately attempt each question or aspect of the assessment task.
If your first attempt fails to meet the above standard, you may not be eligible for a second attempt at that task.
A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates 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.

If you are sick you should submit a medical certificate to the course coordinator/teacher. If you miss an assessable practical class you need to provide a medical certificate (or other evidence) and need to apply for special consideration. Assessment catch ups are organised only for granted special consideration. 

 

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/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work

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 circumstance, 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 www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration 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 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview