Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Ian Jamie
Contact via 9850 8293
F7B 236
Anytime
Lecturer
Christopher McRae
Contact via 9850 8288
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
6cp from (CBMS303 or CBMS304 or CBMS306 or CBMS307 or CBMS308 or CBMS332)
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit investigates some areas of current chemistry, such as developments in green chemistry, development of organic solar cells, alternative fuels, and similar areas. You will be able to apply your chemistry knowledge and skills to issues relevant to our current and future society. We will look at the idea of the 'ethical chemist', and through workshops with industry employers and recruiters we will get you ready to apply for positions in industry and academia. An important part of the unit will be a self-directed laboratory investigation into a topic of current interest, for example, biodiesel synthesis and characterisation, development of novel materials, and new synthesis methods. You will plan and carry out the investigation, and report on the outcomes. You will have the opportunity to use sophisticated research instruments and to refine your laboratory skills.
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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:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Research Project Proposal | 5% | End of Week 3 |
Execution of Project | 15% | All Semester |
Written Report | 25% | Week 13 |
Class Presentations | 10% | Week 4 |
Essay | 10% | Week 10 |
Employment Analysis | 5% | Week 7 |
Assignments | 10% | Weekly |
Poster | 10% | Week 13 |
Oral Report | 5% | Week 13 |
Reflections | 5% | Weekly |
Due: End of Week 3
Weighting: 5%
A written proposal that emulates a typical grant application employed in academic research.
Due: All Semester
Weighting: 15%
Assessment of conduct in the laboratory and project preparation, contribution to the group effort, general knowledge and skills associated with the resarch project.
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 25%
Formal written report on the research project. Individually prepared and submitted.
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 10%
Short Presentations on Paper of Interest
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 10%
Essay on an area of current chemistry
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 5%
A short self-analysis of employability in the chemistry profession.
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%
A range of multiple choice or short-answer questions covering the sub-disciplines of chemistry.
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%
A poster illustrating the research project. A group submission.
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 5%
Discussion with Lecturer concerning your laboratory experience
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 5%
A weekly reflection on undertaking a research project.
Timetable: Please check http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/ for the official timetable of the unit. Note that this unit is meant to have a high degree of flexibility and the official timetable is a guide only.
Lectures/Tutorial/Seminars: The coursework component of this unit will be used to explore topics of relevance to contemporary chemistry and employment in the Chemistry field. Attendance is compulsory. At times we will use the time allocated to laboratory work for workshops and extended seminar programs.
Laboratory Work: This is a large component of CBMS302. Your self-directed research project will help you to understand which techniques you have learnt over the past few years can be used in a given practical situation. You will design the project, using literature procedures as a guide. Considerable preparation is therefore needed. Practical sessions will be organised in a semi-formalised manner, with sufficient flexibility to allow individualised investigations.
None prescribed. This unit will draw upon the recent chemical literature, accessed through journals (paper and electronic) as source material for the topics being studied.
You will be using modem and sophisticated research instrumentation when conducting your research. This will be provided by the Department.
You will acquire current scientific literature using database search tools such as SciFinder Scholar, Reaxys, PubMed and Scirus.
You will be giving seminars and submitting documents. It is expected that these will be prepared in a professional manner. Access to presentation software, such as Powerpoint, and word processing software will be necessary.
The URL of the CBMS302 web site is: ileam.mq.edu.au
You will be asked for a username and password. Your username is your student MQlD. Your MQID and password have been mailed to you by the University. lf you have lost them go to the student portal: my.mq.edu.au
This unit is designed to have a flexible, open and self-directed learning environment. Much of the learning in the coursework component of the course will involve readings and discussion of those readings. You will be expected to exhibit a grasp of contemporary chemistry through application of your previous and current learning in the units that comprise your Major, by in class discussions and presentations and through essays and the final examination.
The essays provide a mechanism developing your level of understanding of the topic and your ability to communicate to others. They also provide, to some extent, a method of providing objective assessment of your level of attainment.
Active participation by you in the lectures/tutorial, seminars and laboratory sessions is expected. This means that you are expected to ask questions and contribute to the discussions during lectures/tutorials, seminars and in the laboratory.
The research project is intended to provide you with the opportunity to act as a real research chemist. It will be your responsibility to understand the problem, first through the literature and then in the lab. You will be expected to justify your research plan, and to present your research results to your peers. The research project consists of planning, execution and communication of results. These sections will be assessed through a written proposal for the project, performance in the laboratory, a written report (journal article format), and an oral presentation on the project. Some of these may be given as group work (to be determined by consensus).
To be discussed in class.
Lab classes will begin as soon as groups are ready to start.
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/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
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.
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 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:
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:
A final examination (previously 20% of the aggregate mark) has been deleted. The weightings of other assessments tasks have been increased proportionally.