Principles and Processes in Chemistry
CHEM1000

Year 2, Sem 1 Core Enabling Knowledge and Skills Practical and ‘Hands-on’ Experience

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Code CHEM1000
Credits 25
Graduate Attributes

Introduction

This unit strives to achieve a positive and inclusive educational environment. This supports improved academic performance, increased confidence and creates a greater sense of safety and belonging. Your teaching team is committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning experience and requires students to take reasonable and appropriate measures to actively eliminate discrimination on the basis of ability; cultural and social background; and diverse sex, sexuality, and gender.

This unit utilises integrated collaborative workshops, laboratories and accompanying online resources to help students develop concepts and problem-solving skills within these topics:
  1. Mole, molar mass, % composition, empirical and molecular formulae
  2. Balancing chemical reactions, including redox reactions
  3. Ideal gases and gas mixtures
  4. The concentration of solutions, dilution and volumetric analysis
  5. Introduction to atomic structure and wave-particle duality
  6. Atomic orbitals, electronic configurations and periodic trends
  7. Lewis structures and molecular shapes
  8. Introduction to equilibria, equilibrium constant and reaction quotient
  9. Acid-base equilibria
  10. Buffers and pH calculations
  11. Valence bond theory
  12. Molecular orbital theory
  13.  Heterogeneous equilibria and solubility
  14. Thermochemistry and enthalpy
  15. Entropy, free energy and spontaneity
  16. Electrochemistry and electrochemical cells
Science Laboratory 1 x 3 Hours Weekly 
Workshop 2 x 2 Hours Weekly 

Unit Learning Outcomes

  • 1 evaluate the principles of stoichiometry to predict and quantify the components involved in chemical systems and processes, GC2, GC3
  • 2 apply the principles of thermodynamics to evaluate the outcome of homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical reactions, GC1, GC2
  • 3 evaluate the principles of atomic theory and use appropriate models to predict chemical bonding within matter and their resulting physicochemical properties, GC1, GC2
  • 4 employ the principles of chemical measurement to both quantitatively and qualitatively determine chemical species in simple samples by selecting appropriate analytical tools, with an understanding of their role and limitations, to perform an investigation and interpret the results, GC3, GC6

Course Learning Outcomes

  • 1 Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of fundamental science, mathematics, data analytics, information science, and computing underpinning the broad field of engineering

Assessment Breakdown

Recent Unit Changes & Response to Student Feedback

Students are encouraged to provide feedback through student surveys (such as Insight and the annual Student Experience Survey) and interactions with teaching staff.

Listed below are some recent changes to the unit as a result of student feedback.

All the assessments are repeatable to maximise learning outcome, and they can be formative or summative depending on the individual student's choice and need. Lectures have been changed into interactive workshops, aimed to provide both content and practice for a better learning experience. The lecture notes have been revised and in line with the laboratory schedule, with the addition of further practice exercises.