Students

CHEM6601 – Synthesis

2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor/Lecturer
Fei Liu
Contact via Contact via 9850 8312
4WW 330
make an appointment
Lecturer
Andrew Piggott
Contact via Contact via 9850 8251
4WW 334
make an appointment
Lecturer
Koushik Venkatesan
Contact via Contact via 9850 8296
4WW 123
make an appointment
Lecturer
Alf Garcia-Bennett
Contact via Contact via 9850 8285
4WW338
make an appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GradDipBiotech or GradCertLabAQMgt or GradDipLabAQMgt or MBiotech or MBioBus or MLabAQMgt or MRadiopharmSc or MSc or MScInnovChemBioSc
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
CHEM2601
Unit description Unit description

This unit serves the needs of students pursuing masters studies that includes the disciplines of chemistry, biological, medical, materials and health sciences. It will be valuable to anyone with an interest in how organic and inorganic compounds react with one another, and how chemists use this knowledge of molecular interactions to synthesize new compounds with desirable properties (eg, new pharmaceuticals, new catalysts, and new materials). The unit focuses on the principles, mechanisms and synthetic procedures of organic and inorganic compounds. Topics include: chemical reactivity; stereochemistry; introduction to the spectroscopic identification of compounds; reaction mechanisms; and synthetic methods. The study of these mechanisms and methods provides an understanding of chemical processes and reactivity applicable in designed and living systems. The practical component is aimed at developing laboratory skills and deductive reasoning; it comprises syntheses of various classes of compounds and identification of unknown compounds by chemical and spectroscopic means.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Predict the relative reactivity of a series of related compounds
  • ULO2: Assess the risks and hazards associated with working in a synthetic laboratory environment
  • ULO3: Plan and carry out different types of synthetic reactions: specifically, perform functional group transformations to change one molecule into another and use carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, carbon-oxygen, and metal-based bond forming reactions to construct larger molecules in a laboratory setting with confidence in a safe and efficient manner
  • ULO4: Use spectroscopic information to deduce the structure of simple organic and inorganic molecules
  • ULO5: Purify organic and inorganic compounds using basic synthetic techniques
  • ULO6: Write a report in a scientific format

General Assessment Information

If you miss a practical class, mid-term test/exam, or are late for completing an assessment due to illness or misadventure, you are required to 1) submit a request for special consideration no later than five (5) working days after the due date and 2) email the Unit Convenor. A passing grade in the practical component (hurdle) is required to pass the unit. Attendance in the practicals is compulsory, and no make-up labs will be available. Failure to attend more than once without a special consideration approval through ask.mq will result in failing this hurdle. Please find further information on Special Consideration here: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/ my-study-program/special-consideration

Periodic spot tests or quizzes (normally 10 minutes each) will come randomly (online through iLearn) to help you with revising and keeping up with the course material as the course progresses. The questions in the periodic quizzes resemble those in the exams. The answers will be provided afterwards. You can miss any or all of the periodic quizzes without apparent penalty (you do not need a special consideration request for missing this). However, no make-up tests will be given, and the final exam’s mark will be used for a missed spot test or quiz. This means that you should engage regularly and keep up with the content.

The mid-semester test (50 minutes) will be in week 6 (the specific date and coverage will be given on the iLearn website). It will be in a similar format to that of past exams and covers weeks 1 to 5 material. There will be no make-up exam for the mid-semester test, and with an approved special consideration, your final exam mark will be used for a missed mid-semester test mark.

Please refer to the unit’s iLearn website for further details (normally available for viewing early to mid Feb.)

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Midsemester Test 15% No Week 6
Workshop 5% No Weeks 6, 7, 12, and 13
Practical Assessment 20% Yes Weeks 2-13; see iLearn for details
Final Examination 50% No Final examination period of S1
Periodic online quizzes to encourage continuous learning 10% No Weeks 1-13 excluding week 6. See iLearn for details.

Midsemester Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 15%

Mid-semester Test - There will be a 50 minute test in week 6 class (covering weeks 1-5 material).


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Predict the relative reactivity of a series of related compounds
  • Use spectroscopic information to deduce the structure of simple organic and inorganic molecules

Workshop

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 8 hours
Due: Weeks 6, 7, 12, and 13
Weighting: 5%

The workshops are essentially long tutorial sessions in which students practice exam style questions and develop independence in problem solving.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Predict the relative reactivity of a series of related compounds
  • Use spectroscopic information to deduce the structure of simple organic and inorganic molecules

Practical Assessment

Assessment Type 1: Lab report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Weeks 2-13; see iLearn for details
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

These experiments have interconnected learning outcomes and demonstrate the necessary techniques. The student is required to participate in all practical/workshop sessions and allowed no more than one missed practical without an approved special consideration application. The student is required to perform the experiments according to instructions and complete post-lab exercises/reports satisfactorily. Missing two or more practicals even with approved special consideration exemptions means that the learning outcomes of this hurdle requirement have not been met. In this case, the student should consult with the lecturer-in-charge for options. Otherwise, a fail mark may result from this hurdle and ultimately a fail mark for the unit. Details on what is expected for assessment of the practical component, including penalties for late submissions, are provided in the laboratory manual/notes (see the iLearn website). The mark will reflect the level of practical performance and safety/laboratory techniques seen within the laboratory as well as clear presentation, interpretation of results and addressing of specific questions within laboratory reports.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Predict the relative reactivity of a series of related compounds
  • Assess the risks and hazards associated with working in a synthetic laboratory environment
  • Plan and carry out different types of synthetic reactions: specifically, perform functional group transformations to change one molecule into another and use carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, carbon-oxygen, and metal-based bond forming reactions to construct larger molecules in a laboratory setting with confidence in a safe and efficient manner
  • Use spectroscopic information to deduce the structure of simple organic and inorganic molecules
  • Purify organic and inorganic compounds using basic synthetic techniques
  • Write a report in a scientific format

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Final examination period of S1
Weighting: 50%

The final exam will be 3 hours in length with 10 minutes reading time. It is designed to address specific understanding of all the topics presented within the course and to show that the knowledge obtained can be applied to new problems.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Predict the relative reactivity of a series of related compounds
  • Assess the risks and hazards associated with working in a synthetic laboratory environment
  • Use spectroscopic information to deduce the structure of simple organic and inorganic molecules

Periodic online quizzes to encourage continuous learning

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: Weeks 1-13 excluding week 6. See iLearn for details.
Weighting: 10%

Spot tests may be conducted at any stage in class. They are to encourage continuous learning of the course material.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Predict the relative reactivity of a series of related compounds
  • Use spectroscopic information to deduce the structure of simple organic and inorganic molecules

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

You must regularly check the unit web page for course related information. The web page for this unit can be found at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

  • Online TopHat “Organic Chemistry” (required; please see sign up details on the unit's iLearn website)
  •  “Organic Chemistry”, 9th Edition (2016) by John McMurry; Cengage Learning (recommended)*
  •  “Organic Chemistry – Study Guide and Solutions Manual”, 9th Edition (2016) by Susan McMurry; Cengage Learning (recommended)*
  • Molecular Model Set for Organic Chemistry (recommended)*
  • “Pushing Electrons. A Guide for Students in Organic Chemistry”, 4th Edition (2014) by Daniel P. Weeks, Cengage Learning (recommended)*
  • Inorganic Chemistry by Gary L. Miessler, Paul J. Fischer and Donald A. Tarr, 5th Edition, (2014) Pearson (required)*
  •  “Introduction to Solid State Chemistry” by Smart and Moore, 4th Edition (2012) Taylor and Francis (recommended)*

*Textbooks for this unit can be purchased online from Booktopia https://www.booktopia.com.au/c oop. Copies of the texts are also available in the library. Please see the unit's iLearn website for further details.

Unit Schedule

The timetable may be subject to change so please check on the University web site at: http://ww w.timetables.mq.edu.au/.  You must regularly check the unit web page for course related information. The web page for this unit can be found at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

Lecture classes are online only. Participation in class is ESSENTIAL to your success in this unit. These are not to be viewed as traditional “lectures” for passive information uptake but used to emphasise key points and concepts with relevant examples with your active participation. Studying the material to be covered BEFORE coming to a lecture class is particularly productive in maximising the learning outcomes in class. Historically, non-participation has a much more deleterious effect that is ultimately reflected in exam performances. Circumstances such as routine demands of employment/financial need or extra-curricular activities, routine family problems, and difficulties adjusting to university life and stress associated with the demands of academic work, are not unforeseeable circumstances beyond your control and should not be used as an excuse to miss a class. Most of the class material will be available on the unit website, while there will be some provided in class. While recorded lectures are available in this unit, they must not be used in place of class participation but rather serve as useful resources for reviewing the content.

Tutorial classes will be offered on-campus and online. Tutorials are critical for effective learning and practicing how to solve problems in order to do well in tests/exams. There are no tutorials in week 1. You should choose one from the three sessions on offer (two on campus and one online) and stick with the same session throughout the semester.

Workshops attendance and active participation (either on-campus or online) in the problem-solving workshop sessions is compulsory, and marks will be awarded for your interactive contributions. The class is divided into two groups (Group A and Group B) for attending the workshops (as well as practicals, please see the next paragraph) according to Group A Schedule and Group B Schedule (on iLearn). Students are expected to attempt the questions prior to attending and bring in all relevant course notes and textbooks for the workshops. The workshop problems will be on the iLearn website closer to the dates. Workshops are long tutorial sessions where you will be asked to answer final exam style questions - some exam questions will be drawn straight from the workshop questions. The location will be announced via iLearn.

Practicals are compulsory and must be done on-campus. The detailed lab practical notes/workshop schedule is provided through the unit's iLearn website. The class is divided into two groups (Group A and Group B) for attending the practicals/ workshops according to Group A Schedule and Group B Schedule (on iLearn). Participation in the practicals is compulsory, and no make-up labs will be available. Failure to attend more than once without a special consideration approval will result in being failed. Some of the lab sessions will be workshops on problem solving. Workshops are essentially long tutorial sessions where you will be asked to answer final exam style questions – some final exam questions will be drawn straight from the workshop questions. Please refer to iLearn instructions for further details. There are no practicals in the 1st week. The students are to use the 1st week practical time to self study and prepare for general practical requirements such as performing risk assessments of experiments and safety review. Please see iLearn instructions for details.

Once you have chosen your group (A or B) and a practical session, you will attend the same session slot for the entire semester.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.


Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook