Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Christopher McRae
Contact via christopher.mcrae@mq.edu.au
F7B 328
Students are encouraged to arrange a meeting via email.
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
CBMS234
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Unit description |
Unit description
Alchemy is the art and science of converting one substance into another, and it has been an important factor in shaping our society. Metals, ceramics, drugs and plastics have changed and enhanced our lifestyle. Drugs, fertilisers and pesticides have saved millions of lives, but not without some unforeseen environmental or social problems. When this happens, decisions have to be made and costs weighed against benefits. An appreciation of such issues is needed for better understanding the important problems that face society. This unit explores the way chemistry affects our lives, and the way chemists work things out. The unit does not aim to teach chemistry but looks at the impact that chemical sciences has had on civilisation and where the latest molecular innovations are likely to lead us. The commercial significance of key biological processes and industries is addressed, emphasising the Australian context. The unit also examines connections between chemistry and other scientific fields as diverse as psychology, finance, medicine, environmental studies and astronomy, as well as revealing aesthetic and philosophical aspects of chemistry. This unit is taught completely online with a combination of topical lectures and multimedia material.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
All assignments (Essays & Workshops) are due in electronic form not later than 9 am on the submission date.
Academic Senate has a set of guidelines on the distribution of grades across the range from fail to high distinction based on the level of understanding and comprehension achieved. See: https://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html for details of this policy.
The raw aggregate mark for the unit (i.e., the total of marks from all assessment items) is not the same as the SNG. Results will be scaled to ensure that there is a degree of consistency between the final SNG and student attainment. University policy does not require that a minimum number of students are to be failed or passed in any unit. The process of scaling will never change the ranking order among students. As a very rough guide, in this unit, you will need to achieve about 55 raw marks for a Pass, 69 for a Credit, 79 for a Distinction and 84 for a High Distinction. These numbers vary only slightly from year to year and will be converted to an SNG by applicaiton of a normalised distribution. Irrespective of your raw aggregate mark you must submit satisfactory efforts for ALL assessment tasks to pass CBMS123/234.
The University recognises that there may be circumstances where a student is prevented by unavoidable disruption from performing in accordance with their ability. The University has a policy on special consideration request that may be found at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html
You will need to lodge your request for special consideration by doing the following:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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W1 | 10% | 12/12/14 |
W2 | 10% | 19/12/14 |
W3 | 10% | 02/01/15 |
W4 | 10% | 09/01/15 |
W5 | 10% | 23/01/15 |
E1 | 25% | 24/12/14 |
E2 | 25% | 16/01/15 |
Due: 12/12/14
Weighting: 10%
20 multiple choice questions
Due: 19/12/14
Weighting: 10%
20 multiple choice questions
Due: 02/01/15
Weighting: 10%
20 multiple choice questions
Due: 09/01/15
Weighting: 10%
20 multiple choice questions
Due: 23/01/15
Weighting: 10%
20 multiple choice questions
Due: 24/12/14
Weighting: 25%
Write a 2000 word essay on a chosen Book Chapter or a Chemical Industry
Due: 16/01/15
Weighting: 25%
Write a Poem about Chemistry and then a 2000 word critique of your poem or write a 2000 word essay on the philosophy of science if it had been written by chemists.
The CBMS123/234 unit website, at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au, allows you access to lecture notes and other resources. To log in, use your Student OneID plus your regular password. Lecture notes are put on the Web in advance with the audio/visual recordings (L1-L24). L0 is the orientation lecture given on the first day of semester and L23 is the Nobel Prize lecture. Both of these lectures are given live in Session 2, 2014. Any due dates or references to "Live lectures" do not apply to this session 3 version of the unit.
All students should be regularly accessing the CBMS123/234 iLearn site, which contains important information. This is a vital requirement for this unit, with its progressive assessment and no final examination. Regular study of the e-lectures is also expected.
Students must submit each of their Workshops and Essay assignments in electronic form.
There is no textbook for CBMS123/CBMS234, however, the following books are highly recommended reading:
Ronald Breslow, "Chemistry. Today and Tomorrow. The Central, useful and Creative Science", (Jones and Bartlett, Sudbury, MA, 1997; ISBN 0 7637 0463 6 or ISBN 0 8412 3460 4), provides a useful foundation.
Arthur Greenberg, "The Art of Chemistry" (Wiley Interscience, Hoboken, 2003; ISBN 0-471-07180-3), is a beautiful book about the history and philosophy of chemistry and would make a nice coffee table book that will break the ice at parties.
Roald Hoffmann, "The Same and Not The Same" (Columbia UP, N.Y., 1995; ISBN 0 231 10138 4 or 0 231 10139 2), much of the lecture material is based on this book.
Ben Selinger, “Chemistry in the Marketplace” (Harcourt Brace, London, 5th edition, 1998; ISBN 0 349 12198 2). A homegrown Aussie book about chemistry in everyday life. A fountain of knowledge about ……. well, everything.
Additional print- and web-based material will be recommended as the unit progresses; keep an eye on the “important news” on the web page – also, see the reading list:
Copies of some of these books (and other relevant ones) will be placed in the Reserve section of the Library.
Selected book extracts will occasionally be reproduced (to the extent permissible by copyright law) on the CBMS123/234 iLearn page. One copy of each may then be downloaded by each student for private use. It may also be useful on occasions to consult a general chemistry textbook (e.g., Silberberg, Smith, or Aylward & Findlay) that some students already know of. The Library has many possibilities at call number QD33. The University Library also has a good collection of chemistry-related videos available for viewing. There are many useful resources on the Web. Access to some that are highly recommended can be gained via the “Lots of Links” section on the CBMS123/234 iLearn page or by keying in known URLs or by using your favourite search engine.
The web page for these units can be found at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/ You are expected to access the web pages regularly, where you may find announcements, links to interesting internet facilities and sites of interest to the course, downloadable software, and lots of other interesting stuff. In addition all the lectures and printed notes for the lectures will be found only on the unit web page and it is up to you to keep up with the lectures and assessments.
You are expected to have access to the internet and access the unit iLearn site on a regular basis. Please note information may also be sent by e-mail to your student e-mail account so please look at your e-mail account on a regular basis. All lectures are on-line and are accessible via the Echo360 EchCenter page in iLearn. If you are unfamiliar with the Ech360 EchoCenter the refer to the "Student Guide to Echo360 Lecture Recordings" available from: http://www.mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/lecture_recordings.htm
All unit notes are presented as PDF files that require acrobat reader: http://get.acrobat.com/uk/reader/
General use computers are provided by the University, but it would be advantageous to have your own computer and internet access. If you have problems with the streaming video/audio lectures, you can download the entire lecture series as an ISO file and burn your own CD/DVD.
Four e-lectures are nominally scheduled each week but you can go to the lectures any time you want and as many times as you like. Each e-lecture has Web-based material, comprising downloadable lecture notes (for printing) and an audiovisual presentation (for viewing, with active links) and a lot-of-links page for internet reseorces. CBMS123/234 has no final examination. Therefore the timetable for preparing and submitting assignments must be strictly observed. The Department reserves the right to vary details of this schedule if necessary, with an undertaking that adequate notice of any such variations will be given to enrolled students. It is each student's responsibility to keep in regular touch with the Web-based information.
Session 3 EOY Schedule for
CBMS123/234 Alchemy, Drugs and the Quest for Immortality
Lecturers: PK = Prof. Peter Karuso; JJ = Dr Joanne Jamie*; MN = Ms Maree Nelson; BO = Prof. Brian Orr*
Week # commencing |
e-lecture |
e-lecture |
Assignment / activities scheduled this week |
1 ...8 Dec |
L0: Introduction – Introductory Remarks and navigating this unit |
L1:Chemistry through the Ages BO L2:Elements of Chemistry BO |
Familiarisation with unit notes, Library services, e-resources,…; Prepare for Workshop W1 |
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L3:Aluminium from Ore to BOOven plus Preview of L4, L5 & E1 |
L4:Bridges for Civilisation BO ... W1 is due at 9 am Dec 12 |
W1 Quiz on L1-5 Prepare for Workshop W1 and Essay E1 |
2 ...15 Dec |
L5:Chemistry – Creative, BO Useful and Central |
L6:Health, Life & Natural PK Products – Shipworm to Carbolic Acid |
Prepare for Essay E1 W2Quiz on L6-10 Prepare for Workshop 3 |
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L7:Health, Life & Natural Products PK – Salvarsan to Penicillin; |
L8: Health, Life & Natural PK Products - What Do Molecules Look Like? ... W2 is due at 9 am Dec 19 |
E1 Pick either a Book Chapter or a Chemical Industry ... E1 is due at 9 am Dec. 24 |
RECESS (25 Dec – 29 Dec) Prepare Essay E2 and Workshop 3 |
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3 ...29 Dec |
L9: Health, Life & Natural JJ Products - Chemicals from Nature |
L10: Biochemical Catalysts PK – Enzymes at Work |
Prepare for Workshop W3 |
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L11: Industrial Catalysts – BO The Legacy of Fritz Haber |
L12: Molecules Everywhere BO Space, Primordial Slime … |
W3 Quiz on L10-14 Prepare for Essay E2 ... W3 is due at 9 am Jan 2 |
4 ..5 Jan |
L13: Is Chemistry Art or PK Science? |
L14: New Materials – JJ Modern Alchemy |
Prepare for Workshop 4 |
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L15: Chemistry in and for the MN Environment #1 |
L16: Chemistry in and for the MN Environment #2 |
W4Quiz on L15-16 ... W4 is due at 9 am Jan 9 |
5 ...12 Jan |
L17: Chemical Identity PK – What are you? |
L18 Chemical Identity – JJ How much of you is there? |
E2 Write a Poem! On Chemistry or chemical philosophy or an essay of the Philosophy of Chemistry (L17-21) |
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L19: Chemical Identity PK – What is going on? |
L20: Chemical identity PK – The same ... but different |
... E2 is due at 9 am Jan 16 Prepare for Workshop W5 |
6 ... 19 Jan |
L21: When Things Go Wrong … PK |
L22: A Famous Chemist – BO Linus Pauling |
W5 Quiz on L13, 17-22 |
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L23: Stop Press – The 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry PK |
L24: 2005-2012 Nobel Prizes in Chemistry (see under L23) |
... W5 is due at 9 am Jan 23 |
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* Please note, the e-lectures given by Prof. Brian Orr are administered by Dr Chris McRae. Note: CBMS reserves the right to vary details of this schedule if necessary
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Academic Senate has a set of guidelines on the distribution of grades across the range from fail to high distinction based on the level of understanding and comprehension achieved (see above).
Your raw aggregate mark for the unit (i.e., the total of marks from all assessment items) is not the same as the SNG. Results will be scaled to ensure that there is a degree of consistency between the final SNG and student attainment. University policy does not require that a minimum number of students are to be failed or passed in any unit. The process of scaling will never change the ranking order among students. As a very rough guide, in this unit, you will need to achieve about 55 raw marks for a Pass, 69 for a Credit, 79 for a Distinction and 84 for a High Distinction. These numbers vary only slightly from year to year and will be converted to an SNG by applicaiton of a normalised distribution. Irrespective of your raw aggregate mark you must submit satisfactory efforts for ALL assessment tasks to pass this unit
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by: