Course outline
Code: SCI105
Title: Chemistry
Faculty of: Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Teaching Session: Semester 2
Year: 2016
Course Coordinator: Dr Gregory Watson Email: gwatson1@usc.edu.au
Course Moderator: Dr Peter Brooks Email: pbrooks@usc.edu.au
1.
What is this course about?
1.1
Course description
This course provides the cross disciplinary chemical concepts essential for science, engineering and
education. You study atomic theory, the Periodic Table, chemical bonding and reactions, electrochemistry,
fundamentals of chemical thermodynamics including a general introduction to chemical equilibria, reaction
kinetics, and the properties of gases, liquids and solutions. The course also explains the properties of acids
and bases, the concept of pH, and the buffer systems. An introduction to organic chemistry is provided. You
work in teams in the laboratory to investigate chemical concepts.
1.2
Course content
Measurement in Chemistry; Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table; Chemical Bonding; Chemical Formula
and Molecular Weights; Electrolytes, Solutions & Solubility, Colligative Properties; Acids and Bases;
Chemical Reactions; Electrochemistry; Equilibrium & Thermodynamics; Reaction Kinetics, Organic
Chemistry; The Gas Laws
2.
Unit value
12 units
Version Semester 2 2016 (version 2)
Recfind File Number: F14173
Page 2
Course Outline:
3.
SCI105 Chemistry
How does this course contribute to my learning?
On successful completion of this
course you should be able to:
You will be assessed on the learning
outcome in task/s:
Completing these tasks
successfully will contribute to
you becoming:
Demonstrate theoretical knowledge
of chemical principles, structure,
properties, processes (biological and
environmental) and units of
measurements
Observe, interpret and evaluate
chemical reactions
1. On-line Quizzes
2. Measurement Assignment
3. Mid Semester Exam
4. Practical Reports
5. Final Exam
3. Mid-semester Exam
4. Practical Reports
5. Final Examination
Knowledgeable.
Solve problems using mathematical
calculations and manipulations and
report answers to the correct
significant figures
Demonstrate safe practical
laboratory skills
4.
1. On-line Quizzes
2. Measurement Assignment
3. Mid Semester Exam
4. Practical Reports
5. Final Exam
4. Practical Reports
Creative and critical thinkers.
Empowered.
Knowledgeable.
Empowered.
Knowledgeable.
Empowered.
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the Undergraduate Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of “prerequisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”
4.1
Enrolment restrictions
Nil
4.2
Pre-requisites
Nil
4.3
Co-requisites
Nil
4.4
Anti-requisites
SCI505
4.5
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (optional)
Nil
5.
How am I going to be assessed?
5.1
Grading scale
Standard – High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)
Page 3
Course Outline:
5.2
SCI105 Chemistry
Assessment tasks
Task
No.
(SCI105)
Assessment Tasks
Individual
or Group
Weighting What is the
%
duration /
length?
Formative Up to Five x
50 words
Formative 1 hour
When should I
submit?
Where should I
submit it?
1
On-line Quizzes
Individual
Fortnightly
Completed on-line
2
3
Measurement
Individual
Assignment
Mid Semester Exam Individual
Week 4
In assignment box
20%
Week 8
Tutorial
Weeks 4, 6, 8,
10, 12
Central Exam
Period
In class
4
Practical Reports
Individual
40%
5
Final exam
Individual
40%
50 minutes,
500 words
Six x 500 word
reports
2 hours,
<1500 words
In class
As set
100%
Assessment Task 1: On-line Quizzes
Goal:
These quizzes are designed to develop your learning around your basic chemistry knowledge and
your ability to solve chemistry problems. These quizzes highlight key areas that you should be
mastering and that you will see on the final exam
Product: Five x50 word on-line quizzes
Format:
Quiz questions are based on materials from lectures, tutorials and laboratory activities
Criteria
Solve problems using mathematical calculations and manipulations and report answers to the
correct significant figures; demonstrate theoretical knowledge of chemical principles, structure,
properties, processes (biological and environmental) and units of measurements
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Applying technologies
Introductory
Problem solving
Introductory
Assessment Task 2: Measurement Assignment
Goal:
Mathematical skills to essential for Chemical calculations. This is illustrated in a take-home
assignment on mathematical manipulation of data
Product: A one page Mathematics in Chemistry Assignment
Format:
Hard Copy Submitted Assignment
Criteria
Demonstrate mathematical skill in manipulating calculations and correct reports of measurements
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Introductory
Page 4
Course Outline:
SCI105 Chemistry
Assessment Task 3: Mid Semester Exam
Goal:
In chemistry it is critical to understand the underpinning concepts. This mid-semester assessment
is designed to have you demonstrate your conceptual knowledge of chemical principles and
problem solving abilities.
Product: 50 minutes, 25 question multiple choice exam
Format:
Multiple choice questions are based on materials from lectures, tutorials and laboratory activities
in weeks 1-6
Criteria
Demonstrate theoretical knowledge of chemical principles, structure, properties and units of
measurement; interpret and evaluate chemical reactions
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Introductory
Assessment Task 4: Practical Reports
Goal:
You will demonstrate knowledge and interpret & evaluate chemical reactions and reporting while
working safely in the laboratory
Product:
six x 500 words laboratory reports
Format:
Students build throughout the semester to writing a full report: Title, Abstract, Materials and
Methods, Introduction, Results, Discussion.
Criteria
Observe, interpret, evaluate and report mathematical calculations and chemical reactions; safely
demonstrate practical laboratory skills
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Introductory
Information literacy
Introductory
Communication
Introductory
Assessment Task 5 : Final Examination
Goal:
You will demonstrate your ability to solve problems, demonstrate knowledge and interpret and
evaluate chemical reactions.
Product: 2 hours < 1500 words exam
Format:
Multiple choice, short and extended answer exam based on materials from all lectures, tutorials
and laboratory activities
Criteria
Solve problems using mathematical calculations and manipulations and report answers to the
correct significant figures; demonstrate theoretical knowledge of chemical principles, structure,
properties, processes (biological and environmental) and units of measurement; interpret and
evaluate chemical reactions
Generic skill assessed
Introductory
Problem solving
Introductory
Organisation
Introductory
Page 5
Course Outline:
5.3
SCI105 Chemistry
Additional assessment requirements
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
A student’s eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions
applying:
a)
The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
b)
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
c)
The student has not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Failure to satisfactorily complete the tutorial/laboratory work and any associated assessment items may
severely impede your chances of meeting the learning outcomes of this course. It is the student’s
responsibility to seek out the course co-ordinator, at their earliest convenience, so as to ascertain how they
will meet the learning objectives and if they require a documented Variation to Assessment (VTA).
Blackboard
As a student enrolled in this course you will have access to course information on the Blackboard site. You
are strongly recommended to log onto the course site on a regular basis. All course announcements,
course changes, posting of course materials and grades (via My Interim Results) will be accessed through
Blackboard. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate internet access (either off campus or oncampus) in order to access Blackboard regularly and to complete required assessment tasks.
Safe Assign
In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its
assessment tasks are submitted electronically via Safe Assign. This software allows for text comparisons to
be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that Safe Assign has access to. If
required, details of how to submit via Safe Assign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course.
5.4
Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate:
 5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified
as the due date for the assessment task.
 10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day
 20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and
including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.
 A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date
identified as the due date for the assessment task.
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late.
To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
6. How is the course offered?
6.1
Directed study hours
Between four and five hours average contact per week, comprising of a two-hour lecture every week, one
hour tutorial every week and a three-hour compulsory practical every second week.
6.2
Teaching semester/session(s) offered
Semester 1 and 2 each year
Page 6
Course Outline:
6.3
Course activities
Teaching
Week /
Module
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
SCI105 Chemistry
What key concepts/content will I
learn?
Introduction to the multidisciplinary nature of chemistry, and
Measurements in Chemistry
Atomic Structure and the Periodic
Table
Atomic Structure and the Periodic
Table
Atomic Structure and the Periodic
Table
Chemical Bonding
Chemical Reactions, Chemical
Formula and Molecular Weights
Electrolytes, Solutions and
Solubility, Colligative Properties,
Acids and Bases
Electrolytes, Solutions and
Solubility, Colligative Properties,
Acids and Bases
Organic Chemistry – Naming and
Functional Groups
Equilibrium and Thermodynamics
What activities will I engage in to learn the
concepts/content?
Directed Study Activities
Independent Study
Activities
Lecture
Textbook, Scientific
Measurement Booklet
Lecture
Tutorial, Laboratory
Lecture
Tutorial
Lecture
Tutorial, Laboratory
Lecture
Tutorial
Lecture
Tutorial, Laboratory
Lecture
Tutorial
Textbook.
Textbook
Textbook
Textbook
Textbook
Textbook
Lecture, Laboratory
Textbook
Mid Semester Exam
-In tutorial time slot
9
Lecture
Textbook
Tutorial
10
Lecture
Textbook
Tutorial, Laboratory
11
Reaction Kinetics
Lecture
Textbook
Tutorial
12
Electrochemistry
Lecture
Tutorial, Laboratory
13
The Gas Laws
Lecture
Textbook
Tutorial
Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. Lecture notes will be available on
Blackboard. Students may be tempted to believe that reading the slides can substitute for attendance at
the lectures, but be aware that the lecture slides may make little sense without the accompanying
discussion.
7. What resources do I need to undertake this course?
7.1
Prescribed text(s)
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below:
Author
Brown Lemay et al.
Year
Title
2014
CHEMISTRY The Central Science 3rd Edition
onwards
Publisher
PEARSON Education
Page 7
Course Outline:
7.2
SCI105 Chemistry
Required and recommended readings
Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These
materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further
information regarding particular aspects of your course.
7.3
Specific requirements
A laboratory coat, safety glasses, closed-in footwear is required in laboratories.
7.4
Risk management
There is low health and safety risk in this course. Risk assessments have been performed for each
experiment and Material Safety Data Sheets are available at each laboratory session.
8.
How can I obtain help with my studies?
In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Additional assistance to all
students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To
book: Tel: +61 7 5430 2890 or Email: student central@usc.edu.au
9.
Links to relevant University policies and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
 Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
 Review of Assessment and Final Grades
 Supplementary Assessment
 Administration of Central Examinations
 Deferred Examinations
 Student Academic Misconduct
 Students with a Disability
http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching
10. Faculty specific information
In person:
 Sippy Downs - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C
 USC SouthBank - Student Central, Building B, Ground floor (level 1)
 USC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
 USC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Building A
Tel: +61 7 5430 2890
Email: studentcentral@usc.edu.au