Students

CHEM1002 – Foundations of Chemical and Biomolecular Sciences 2

2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-infrequent, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Robert Willows
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
CHEM1001 or CBMS107 or CBMS103 or HSC Chemistry Band 5 and above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Molecular sciences is the basis for the development of new medicines, new materials, new ways of monitoring and improving our environment, and many other fields. This unit will focus on the properties and reactivity of matter and is an ideal unit for any student that wants to understand the atomic and molecular world within and around them. It will introduce chemical and physical properties of solids, liquids and gases, metals and solutions. It will examine specific reactions including precipitation, acid base chemistry and oxidation/reduction processes and will explore the energetics and rates of chemical change. It will also describe methods of detection and analysis of matter. Specific biological, environmental and new materials related to real world examples will be provided, with topics such as global warming, energy production and renewable fuels. This unit will provide an understanding and appreciation of 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 sessions and tutorials will reinforce learning throughout this unit.

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: Explain the chemical and physical properties of solids, liquids and gases, metals and solutions.
  • ULO2: Predict reactions of matter including precipitation, acid base chemistry, oxidation/reduction processes, and the energetics and rates of chemical change.
  • ULO3: Utilise chemistry and biomolecular sciences concepts covered in this unit to process and interpret relevant chemical data.
  • ULO4: Undertake laboratory investigations requiring basic laboratory skills related to the reactions of matter and the energetics and rates of reaction, and their detection and analysis, and demonstrate an awareness of general laboratory safety procedures.
  • ULO5: Record and analyse scientific data, as well as judge its reliability and significance and interpret and communicate conclusions, including using the basic elements of scientific report preparation.
  • ULO6: Discuss the central role and impact of the chemical and biomolecular sciences concepts covered in this unit in our lives and its modern applications.

General Assessment Information

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this unit you must:

  • Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%, and
  • Participate in a minimum of 8 SGTAs and 4 practical classes, and
  • Achieve at least 40% in the final examination

HURDLE ASSESSMENTS

Practice based classes

  • Development of knowledge and skills requires continual practice at authentic problems. This unit has five laboratory classes and ten SGTA classes where you must demonstrate your progress in developing and communicating knowledge and skills.  Participation in a minimum of 4 of the 5 practical classes and 8 of the 10 SGTA classes is thus a hurdle requirement for this unit. This is a hurdle assessment meaning that failure to meet this requirement may result in a fail grade for the unit. Students are permitted up to three absences, consisting of one practical absence and 2 SGTA absences: additional absences will require a Special Consideration to be applied for (see below). 

Final exam

  • Satisfactory completion of this unit requires students to demonstrate they have acquired sufficient knowledge and can apply this knowledge to answer questions in the chemical sciences. The final exam assesses whether this has been achieved. Your final grade will be based on the mark from the aggregation of the individual assessments (in-class and online quizzes, mid-semester test, practical), but you must exceed the hurdle threshold mark of 40% or greater in the final examination to be awarded an overall Pass grade or better. That is, you must meet this hurdle to be able to pass overall. If you get between 30-40% you will get a second attempt at the exam but ONLY if you can pass the unit with a grade of 40% in the final exam. The SECOND attempt is to demonstrate that you have obtained a minimum level of understanding to pass the unit and your maximum grade in the SECOND attempt will be 40% of the final exam mark. It is university policy that you cannot improve your mark more than the hurdle boundary mark if you are given a SECOND attempt.

​ONLINE QUIZZES:

Due: 10 Weekly online quizzes from Weeks 2-12 (Check iLearn as any weeks without an SGTA do not have a quiz). Weighting: 15% 

There will be 10 on-line quizzes.  You will find that these quizzes assist you in revising the course material as the course progresses.  Further specific details on the quizzes will be provided at the CHEM1002 iLearn site.

PRACTICALS:

​Due: To be submitted at the conclusion of every practical class. Weighting: 20% 

The pre-practical exercises, performance in the practical, the practical report, and the post-practical exercises will be used to calculate the final practical mark.  The assessment tasks start off simple and build on skills and knowledge developed throughout the course.

Pre-practicals exercises for practicals 1, 3, 4 and 5 must be handed in online on iLearn prior to your scheduled practical class. See iLearn for dates for online submission prior to the practical class. These "pre-labs" represent 20% of the practical mark for these 4 lab classes and will guide you in the data analysis for the practical class. Feedback will be given.

Attendance: If you are unable to attend a practical class, exam, or hand in a form of assessment due to illness or misadventure, you must submit a Disruption to Studies notification at ask.mq.edu.au no later than five (5) working days after the assessment task date or due date.  You should also immediately contact the Unit Convenor, Professor Robert Willows (robert.willows@mq.edu.au).  

MID SEMESTER TEST:

Due: Wednesday 7th September during the lecture time. Weighting: 15% 

Covering lectures up to and including week 6 content. This is designed to give you specific feedback on your understanding of the topics up to this stage to assist you in your further study of the unit. See iLearn for location and details.

FINAL EXAMINATION:

Due: University Examination Period Weighting: 50% 

The final exam 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. Details of the final exam length will be made available as part of the publishing of the university exam timetable.

The final exam is a hurdle assessment and you will need to get >= 40% in the final exam to meet the hurdle.  In the event that you make a serious first attempt at the final exam, you will be provided with an opportunity to sit a new final exam to meet the hurdle. The faculty define a serious attempt as a mark of 10% below the hurdle which in this instance is a mark between 30-40%. You will NOT be given a second attempt meet the exam hurdle of 40% if you get below 30% in your first attempt.

Final Examination Details:  The examination timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of the examinations.  You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated by the University in the Examination Timetable.  This could be any day after the final week of semester and up until the final day of the official examination period.  It is Macquarie University policy to not set early examinations for individuals or groups of students.  All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, that is, the final day of the official examination period. 

The only exception to sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you should apply for a Supplementary Exam at ask.mq.edu.au.

Late Assessment Submission

Late assessments are not accepted in this unit unless a Special Consideration has been submitted and approved.

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment.

Weekly practice-based tasks: To pass the unit you need to demonstrate ongoing development of skills and application of knowledge in 4 out of 5 of the practical classes. If you miss a practical class due to a serious, unavoidable and significant disruption, contact Professor Robert Willows, robert.willows@mq.edu.au as soon as possible so you can get access to class material to review in your own time.

Note that a Special Consideration should only be applied for if you miss more than one of the five practical classes.

COVID Information and on-campus classes

On-campus teaching continues to be scheduled for Session 1, 2023. Any requirements or changes to units in relation to COVID will be communicated to students via iLearn.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Mid Semester test 15% No 14/4
Practice Based task 0% Yes 19/3, 12/4, 13/4, 14/4
Final Examination 50% Yes TBA
Laboratory work 20% No 19/3, 12/4, 13/4, 14/4
Online Quizzes 15% No Sunday following SGTA

Mid Semester test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: 14/4
Weighting: 15%

 

Mid Semester Test

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the chemical and physical properties of solids, liquids and gases, metals and solutions.
  • Predict reactions of matter including precipitation, acid base chemistry, oxidation/reduction processes, and the energetics and rates of chemical change.
  • Utilise chemistry and biomolecular sciences concepts covered in this unit to process and interpret relevant chemical data.

Practice Based task

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: 19/3, 12/4, 13/4, 14/4
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Demonstration of practical laboratory skills and knowledge of protocols, and the submission of practical tasks

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the chemical and physical properties of solids, liquids and gases, metals and solutions.
  • Predict reactions of matter including precipitation, acid base chemistry, oxidation/reduction processes, and the energetics and rates of chemical change.
  • Utilise chemistry and biomolecular sciences concepts covered in this unit to process and interpret relevant chemical data.
  • Undertake laboratory investigations requiring basic laboratory skills related to the reactions of matter and the energetics and rates of reaction, and their detection and analysis, and demonstrate an awareness of general laboratory safety procedures.
  • Record and analyse scientific data, as well as judge its reliability and significance and interpret and communicate conclusions, including using the basic elements of scientific report preparation.
  • Discuss the central role and impact of the chemical and biomolecular sciences concepts covered in this unit in our lives and its modern applications.

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: TBA
Weighting: 50%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

It is designed to address specific understanding of all the topics presented within the unit and to show that the knowledge obtained can be applied to new problems.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the chemical and physical properties of solids, liquids and gases, metals and solutions.
  • Predict reactions of matter including precipitation, acid base chemistry, oxidation/reduction processes, and the energetics and rates of chemical change.
  • Utilise chemistry and biomolecular sciences concepts covered in this unit to process and interpret relevant chemical data.
  • Discuss the central role and impact of the chemical and biomolecular sciences concepts covered in this unit in our lives and its modern applications.

Laboratory work

Assessment Type 1: Lab report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 19/3, 12/4, 13/4, 14/4
Weighting: 20%

 

The pre-practical exercises, performance in the practical, the practical report, and the post-practical exercises will be used to calculate the final practical mark. The assessment tasks start off simple and build on skills and knowledge developed throughout the course.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Predict reactions of matter including precipitation, acid base chemistry, oxidation/reduction processes, and the energetics and rates of chemical change.
  • Utilise chemistry and biomolecular sciences concepts covered in this unit to process and interpret relevant chemical data.
  • Undertake laboratory investigations requiring basic laboratory skills related to the reactions of matter and the energetics and rates of reaction, and their detection and analysis, and demonstrate an awareness of general laboratory safety procedures.
  • Record and analyse scientific data, as well as judge its reliability and significance and interpret and communicate conclusions, including using the basic elements of scientific report preparation.

Online Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 13 hours
Due: Sunday following SGTA
Weighting: 15%

 

There will be 10 on-line quizzes during semester. You will find that these quizzes assist you in revising the course material as the course progresses.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the chemical and physical properties of solids, liquids and gases, metals and solutions.
  • Predict reactions of matter including precipitation, acid base chemistry, oxidation/reduction processes, and the energetics and rates of chemical change.
  • Utilise chemistry and biomolecular sciences concepts covered in this unit to process and interpret relevant chemical data.
  • Discuss the central role and impact of the chemical and biomolecular sciences concepts covered in this unit in our lives and its modern applications.

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

Required Textbook:

"Chemistry the Central Science- Global Edition" by Brown and Lemay

Lectures (RECORDED ON ECHO360 SYSTEM)

Lecture recordings and supplementary shorter summaries will be available through iLEARN ECHO, and powerpoint slides via iLearn.  Lectures will also include working through examples of problems, to strengthen and increase understanding of the concepts. Learning is an active process, and as such, you must engage with the material. This means downloading and reading the lecture notes and relevant sections of the textbook (and beyond) before and after attending the lectures is strongly recommended. Weekly on-line quizzes will also be provided so it is strongly recommended that you listen and work through lecture examples prior to completing these quizzes. The quizzes are timed. The quizzes and mid session test are designed to allow you to continuously learn and to identify what you understand and the areas that you need to spend more time on, with minimal assessment penalty.

SGTAs (Weekly IN PERSON PARTICIPATION IS COMPULSORY)

SGTAs will be run to assist your understanding of the course material. Attempting the questions before the SGTA class to identify what you need assistance on is highly recommended. You will often be asked to assist in answering questions throughout the class. Participation records will be kept and logged and a minimum of 8 sessions need to have satisfactor participation to meet the hurdle. Anonymous teaching evaluations from past students have identified these teaching activities as a valuable learning tool and participation is thus a hurdle requirement for passing the unit.

Laboratory classes (On campus and are compulsory)

Practical classes are designed to develop basic laboratory skills, general safety practices and critical and analytical thought. Pre-practical questions are designed to make sure you are ready for the practical work and have grasped the relevant theory and safety practices necessary. The pre-practical questions MUST be submitted on-line through iLearn by the due date as in iLearn PRIOR to the scheduled practical class. In-lab and post-lab work are designed to allow you to appropriately record your experimental observations and your calculations in a detailed and accurate manner and assess your understanding of the theory behind the experiments conducted and to use this understanding to solve related problems. The practicals are scaffolded such that the expectations of pre-practical, in-practical and post-practical reports increase throughout the course as understanding of the concepts and skill in how to record the data and interpret results develops.

COVID Information

For the latest information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please refer to the Coronavirus infection page on the Macquarie website: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs. Remember to check this page regularly in case the information and requirements change during semester. If there are any changes to this unit in relation to COVID, these will be communicated via iLearn.

 

Unit Schedule

WEEK

Lecture 1 MONDAY

Lecture 2

SGTA

1

L1. Intro lecture

L2- Matter & Change

 

2

L3- Modern Atomic Theory I

L4- Modern Atomic Theory II

STGA 1- Basic Concepts

3

L5- Chemical Bonding and Intermolecular Forces -I

L6- Chemical Bonding and Intermolecular Forces II

STGA 2- Conversion and Electronic Structure

4

L7- Transition Metal Complexes I

L8- Transition Metal Complexes II

STGA 3- Electronic Stucture and Bonding

5

L9- Gas Laws & Kinetic Theory I

L10- Gas Laws & Kinetic Theory

STGA 4- Transition metals

6

L11- Chemical Kinetics

L12- Chemical Kinetics II

STGA 5- Gases

7

L12- Chemical Equilibria

 

STGA -6- Kinetics

8

Mid-Session Exam Analysis AND Acid- Base Equilibria I

Acid-Base Equilibria II

STGA 7- Equilibria

9

 

Buffers & Solubility I

NO STGA 

10

Buffers & Solubility II

Oxidation & Reduction I

STGA 8- Acids and Bases and Solubility

11

Oxidation & Reduction II

Thermochemistry I

STGA 9- Oxidation reduction

12

Thermochemistry II

Spectroscopy 

STGA 10- Thermodynamics and Specroscopy

13

Revision Lecture (past Questions)

 

 

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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 2023.02 of the Handbook