Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor and Lecturer
Fei Liu
Contact via email fei.liu@mq.edu.au
By Appointment
Lecturer
Ian Jamie
Contact via email ian.jamie@mq.edu.au
By Appointment
Lecturer
Andrew Piggott
Contact via email andrew.piggott@mq.edu.au
By Appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Foundations of Chemical and Biomolecular Sciences 1 introduces students to the principles and practical aspects of the molecular sciences, from the smallest of chemical substances through to the molecules of life - the biomolecules. This unit does not assume prior knowledge of chemistry or biology and is ideal for any student that wants to understand the atomic and molecular world within and around them. It will commence with the language of chemistry by introducing atoms and molecules and elements and compounds and using representative inorganic and organic compounds, including biomolecules, to show how their structures, functions and reactions are described. It will build on this language to allow prediction of the reactivity, behaviour and function of different classes of compounds, with a focus on acids and bases and organic compounds including biomolecules. Contemporary applications will be highlighted to show the role of chemical and biomolecular sciences in our lives, now and in the future, including in helping to achieve a sustainable environment, understanding health and disease, and advancing new molecular technologies. Practical and tutorials at the 5 days of compulsory on campus sessions reinforce learning throughout this unit. |
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:
Attendance at practical and tutorial (SGTA) classes--these are hurdle requirements:
Tutorial/SGTA Quizzes (20%):
During tutorials (also called SGTA sessions) you will be required to join Mastering Chemistry (see the unit iLearn site for details) and complete a set number of questions, which will be based on the lecture material, text book and practice question sets available on iLearn. Your final tutorial/SGTA quiz mark will be the average of 10 best individual quiz marks out of 12 possible ones. In addition, you may be assigned further work to complete if the outcome of your tutorial/SGTA assessment is not satisfactory. This will be done automatically via Mastering Chemistry using a method called Adaptive Learning (details on iLearn). Please also note that while the weekly Tutorial/SGTA participation is a hurdle (you must engage with the activity), this participation hurdle is not part of the 20%. Only your performance on the weekly Mastering Chemistry tutorial/SGTA quizzes will contribute to this 20%, and given this quiz performance is not a hurdle, there will not be other chances to re-attempt if you fail.
Practical class exercises (20%):
Four practical classes worth 5% each. The practicals 1 to 4 will be delivered on site as scheduled unless explicitly prohibited by health orders (in which case they will also be delivered online). If a practical is delivered on site, the pre-practical quizzes (online, 30%), performance in the practical (10%), the practical report (submitted at the end of the practical; 40%), and the post-practical exercises (online, 20%) will be used to calculate the final mark for each practical class. If a practical is delivered online, the pre-practical quizzes (online, 50%), and the post-practical exercises (online, 50%) will be used to calculate the final mark for each practical class. Please also note that while the practical participation is a hurdle, your performance on the practical class exercises is not a hurdle. As such there will not be other chances to re-attempt if you fail these exercises.
Mid-session test (20%)-hurdle requirement:
Final Exam (40%):
The final examination will be a two-hour written examination (plus ten minutes' reading time), consisting of multiple choice and long answer questions. The final examination will cover all sections of the unit (lectures, lab practicals, workshops and assignments) and is designed to address specific understanding of all the concepts presented within the course.
Because the final exam is a hurdle assessment, you will need to get >=40% to meet the hurdle. In the event that you make a serious first attempt at the final exam, you will be provided with one more opportunity to sit the supplementary exam to meet the hurdle. Information on Supplementary exams:
Your marks will be displayed on ilearn. It is your responsibility to regularly verify that the records displayed at iLearn (Tools->Grades) are correct.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Tutorial and Practical Participation | 0% | Yes | Weekly tutorial; pracs in wk 4, mid-semester break, wk 10 |
Mid Semester Test | 20% | Yes | Week 7, Sept 11th |
Final Examination | 40% | Yes | University examination period |
Practical Class Exercises | 20% | No | Week 4-5; mid-semester break; week 10-11 |
Tutorial Quizzes | 20% | No | Weekly |
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Weekly tutorial; pracs in wk 4, mid-semester break, wk 10
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
You must attend and participate in all practical classes.
You must attend and participate in at least nine tutorial classes.
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 7 hours
Due: Week 7, Sept 11th
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
There will be a mid-session test that will be designed to give you specific feedback on your understanding of the topics up to this stage of the unit.
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: University examination period
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
The final exam will be designed to address specific understanding of all topics presented within the course and to show that the knowledge obtained can be applied to new problems.
Assessment Type 1: Lab report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 4-5; mid-semester break; week 10-11
Weighting: 20%
Practical classes are designed to develop laboratory skills and scientific data analysis capabilities. The pre-practical, practical and post-practical exercises will be used to calculate the final mark for each practical class.
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%
Ten weekly quizzes based on the tutorial question sets available at iLearn.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
1. Communication
During the semester, the CHEX1001 iLearn site (combined with CHEM1001 iLearn site) will be used to communicate important information to you. In addition, email will be sent to your student email account. Please check your messages frequently.
We cannot overstate the importance of regularly checking your email and the CHEM/CHEX1001 iLearn site.
2. Classes
See https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2021 for class times and locations (use CHEM1001 to search for timetable of CHEX1001)
3. Safety rules. It is very important that you understand that you will not be allowed to attend the laboratory if you do not have a laboratory coat (“lab coat”) and enclosed, sturdy footwear (e.g. ugg boots are not acceptable). For health reasons the Department does not provide lab coats or footwear. Safety glasses and disposable gloves are supplied. You are required to undertake prelaboratory exercises (prelabs) before coming to the session, to help you prepare for the lab. During the lab you will be assessed on general behaviour and competence, as well as the quality of your results. You are to submit a report (“lab report”) that summaries the outcomes of your investigation. There are post-laboratory exercises to be completed within a week of the lab session (“post-labs”).
4. Teaching and learning strategies; textbooks; and other resources: please visit the unit's iLearn webpage for details.
Please visit the unit iLearn website for details.
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.
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 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
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 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.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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