Course Title: Perform chemical tests and procedures
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2014
Course Code: ONPS5658C
Course Title: Perform chemical tests and procedures
School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5283 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Pathology Testing)
Course Contact: Amber Mitton
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 8053
Course Contact Email: amberlee.mitton@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Kirsten Balding - Teacher
9925 4283
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
There are no pre-requisites or co-requisites for this course
Course Description
This unit of competency covers the ability to interpret chemical test requirements, prepare samples, conduct pre-use and calibration checks on equipment and perform routine chemical tests/procedures. These tests will involve several measurement steps. The unit includes data processing and interpretation of results and tracking of obvious test malfunctions where the procedure is standardised. However, personnel are not required to analyse data, optimise tests/procedures for specific samples or troubleshoot equipment problems where the solution is not apparent
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
MSL974003A Perform chemical tests and procedures |
Element: |
1. Interpret and schedule test requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1. Review test request to identify samples to be tested, test method and equipment/instruments involved |
Element: |
2. Receive and prepare samples |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1. Log samples using standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
Element: |
3. Check equipment before use |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1. Set up equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements |
Element: |
4. Test samples to determine chemical species or properties |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1. Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements |
Element: |
5. Process and interpret data |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1. Record test data noting atypical observations |
Element: |
6. Maintain a safe work environment |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1. Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel |
Element: |
7. Maintain laboratory records |
Performance Criteria: |
7.1. Enter approved data into laboratory information management system |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
Reading
Lectures
Lab classes
Practical exams
Projects
Worksheets
Groupwork
Tutorials
Presentations
Online quizzes
Exams
Assignments
Teaching Schedule
Term | Dates | ||||
Wk | Date (week of) | Theory (2hr) Tues am (BIO) Tues pm (PT) |
Prac (3hr) Mon (PT) Wed (Bio) |
Assessment Task | Value (%) |
1 | 10/2 | Outline of course Atomic theory, Safety |
Lab safety intro | ||
2 | 17/2 | Classification of matter, atomic theory, atomic number & atomic weight, electron structure & configuration | Lab safety Using balances |
Theory online quiz
|
Total of 10% for all quizzes Satisfactory completion required |
3 | 24/2 | Periodic table, Electron configuration of atoms - shells, subshells & orbitals, Ions | Laboratory glassware OHS: MSDS & Chem Labels |
Theory online quiz | Total of 10% for all quizzes |
4 | 3/3 | Chemical bonds: ionic & covalent bonding, properties of ionic & covalent compounds, Lewis dot diagrams, naming compounds, bond angles& molecular shapes | Glass pipettes | Theory online quiz | Total of 10% for all quizzes |
5 | 10/3 | Review bonds, Electronegativity, classifying bonds, shapes of molecules - Lewis structures, Polar/Non-Polar molecules, Types of solutions & solubility | no prac class (Labour day) |
Theory online quiz | Total of 10% for all quizzes |
6 | 17/3 | Formula weight, the mole, Avogadro’s number, Concentrations – Molarity & % solutions | Conductivity of aqueous solutions |
Theory online quiz Prac report 1 - conductivity of aqueous solutions |
Total of 10% for all quizzes Prac Report: |
7 | 24/3 | Revision | Prac Exam 1: Using pipettes/balances | Prac Exam 1: Using pipettes/ balances | must be competent |
8 | 30/3 | Theory Exam 1 |
No prac | Theory exam 1 | 30% |
9 | 7/4 | Spectrophotometry | Preparing solutions
Lab Safety: |
Theory online quiz
|
Total of 10% for all quizzes |
10 | 14/4 |
Chemical equations, balancing equations Centrifuges |
Spectrophotometry I | Theory online quiz | Total of 10% for all quizzes |
Student Vacation 18/4-25/4 | |||||
11 | 28/4 | Stoichiometry | Spectrophotometry II |
Theory online quiz
|
Total of 10% for all quizzes 15% |
12 | 5/5 | Limiting & excess reagents,% yields, Ionic reactions & equations (net & ionic), Solubilities of ionic compounds | Micropipettes Using Centrifuges |
Theory online quiz | Total of 10% for all quizzes |
13 | 12/5 | Reaction rates, Reversible reactions, Chemical equilibrium, Le Chatalier’s principle, Equilibrium constants | Balanced chemical equations | Theory online quiz | Total of 10% for all quizzes |
14 | 19/5 | Serial Dilutions | Effect of concentration changes on equilibrium yields | Theory online quiz | Total of 10% for all quizzes |
15 | 26/5 | Revision | Prac Exam 2: Making solutions | Prac Exam 2: Making solutions | must be competent |
16 | 2/6 | Theory exam 2 | No prac | Theory exam 2 Submit Logbook |
30% must be competent |
17 | 9/6 | Alternative assessments (Special consideration only) |
Prac exam resits |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Bettelheim, Brown, Campbell, Farrell and Torres (2013) |
|
Chemistry Practical Manual semester 1 |
References
Other Resources
1. Students require a lab coat, safety goggles and gloves for Laboratory classes. Some safety goggles are available in the lab, but it is recommended that students buy their own for best comfort. These can be purchased from the bookshop.
2. An exercise book for the logbook.This should be a bound book, not spiral. 30 pages is sufficient.
3. A permanent marker pen, fine or medium, for labelling tubes etc.
Overview of Assessment
Assessments for this course typically consist of:
• Class activities
• Assignments
• Presentations
• Exams
Assessment Tasks
Assessment 1.
Theory Online quizzes (Each week)
(Best 10 quiz scores count)
10% AND must get average pass for all quizzes
Assessment 2.
2 Theory Exams (end of terms 1 and 2)
30% + 30% = 60%
Assessment 3. Laboratory practice.
a. 2 Prac Reports
1: Conductivity of aqueous solutions (term 1)
2: Spectrophotometry (term 2)
15% + 15% = 30%
b. 2 Prac Exams
1: Balances & Glass pipettes (term 1)
2: Making solutions (term 2)
Competent/Not competent
c. Logbook:
Signed off each week by teacher and submit at end of semester.
Students must write up their logbook for at least 80% of classes.
Only labs where the student was present will be signed off.
Competent/Not competent
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
**Students must attend at least 80% of practical classes AND pass all assessments to pass the course**.
If you miss a prac class you should provide a copy of your medical certificate or other evidence (court appearance, funeral notice, statutory declaration) to the teacher.
Assessment Information
• To pass the course you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (exam, prac reports, and assignments etc.). For example, if there are two tests you need to have an average of 50% to pass. But you also need to have passed the other assessments as well. You can’t make up marks from one type of assessment to another (e.g. pass the tests but fail the prac reports).
• Extension of time for submission of assessable work- A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available on the web http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf ) at least the day before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51. Students requiring longer extensions must apply for Special Consideration (form available on the Web). For missed assessments such as exams- you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged at the HUB or online with supporting evidence (eg medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination.
• Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected
• If you miss an assessment task due to unavoidable circumstances, you need to follow the procedure of special consideration and apply within the allowed time frame.
Theory Online Quizzes
Students are expected to do the set readings each week. Powerpoint slides are also available for your review. The powerpoints summarise the readings. Each week the quiz tests you on key concepts from the readings. In theory classes there will be discussion based around the questions, and any questions or difficulties you are having with the topic. Each quiz will be available for a limited time only. If you are ill for the whole time the quiz is available, you will need to provide a medical certificate or else you will not get any marks for that week’s quiz. Each quiz can be submitted twice only.
If you have network difficulties or don’t submit the quiz properly you will not get marks for that quiz. Make sure you use a reliable network connection to submit the quiz! It is your responsibility to ensure your quiz is submitted properly. Please check with the teacher if you are unsure if you are submitting the quiz correctly. There are no extensions available for quizzes.
Logbook
Results from each practical need to be recorded in your logbook. This is an important aspect of developing your record-keeping skills. Logbooks are to be submitted at the end of semester.
Practical Reports
Practical reports are indicated in the Practical Manual.
If you are absent for a practical that is to be written up, a medical certificate must be provided to the teacher. In this case another practical exercise needs to be written up – as negotiated with the teacher. If you are absent when the prac is to be written up but do not provide a medical certificate, another prac may not be written up. No marks will be allocated in this case.
Time Allowance for this course
The 100 nominal hours for this unit are allocated as follows:
Preparation for class/ Research work/ Report completion 16x 1hour/week = 16
Theory Class 14 x 1 hour/week = 14
Theory at home/Online Quiz/Revision 14 x 1 hour/wk+ 2 x 2hr revision = 18
Practical Activities & Prac Exams 16x3 hours = 48
Theory Tests 2 x 1.5 hours + 1 hour alternate assessment (if required) = 4
Total 100
Course Overview: Access Course Overview