Outline

Overview

Chemistry describes how and why things happen from a molecular perspective. Chemistry underpins all aspects of the natural and physical world, and provides the basis for new technologies and advances in the life, medical and physical sciences, engineering, and industrial processes. This unit of study will equip you with the fundamental knowledge and skills in chemistry for broad application. You will learn about atomic theory, structure and bonding, equilibrium, processes occurring in solutions, and the functional groups of molecules. You will develop experimental design, conduct and analysis skills in chemistry through experiments that ask and answer questions about the chemical nature and processes occurring around you. Through inquiry, observation and measurement, you will better understand natural and physical world and will be able to apply this understanding to real-world problems and solutions. This unit of study is directed toward students whose chemical background is weak (or non-existent). Compared to the mainstream Chemistry 1A, the theory component of this unit begins with more fundamental concepts, and does not cover, or goes into less detail about some topics. Progression to intermediate chemistry from this unit and Fundamentals of Chemistry 1B requires completion of an online supplementary course.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Chemistry Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	CHEM1001 or CHEM1101 or CHEM1901 or CHEM1903 or CHEM1109 or CHEM1111 or CHEM1911 or CHEM1991
Assumed knowledge ?	There is no assumed knowledge of chemistry for this unit of study but students who have not completed HSC Chemistry (or equivalent) are strongly advised to take the Chemistry Bridging Course (offered in February).
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Toby Hudson, toby.hudson@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Skills-based evaluation	Laboratory skills* demonstration of practical and analytical skills	8%	-	during the laboratory classes
Outcomes assessed:
Final exam	Final online exam Online exam	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Laboratory attendance and attitude* attending 8 is mandatory to pass the unit	0%	Ongoing	3 hours per week for 9 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Laboratory log book* Experimental note taking in a laboratory log book	4%	Ongoing	during the laboratory session
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial quiz 1 Online open book Canvas quiz	5%	Week 06	25 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial quiz 2 Online open book Canvas quiz	5%	Week 09	25 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial quiz 3 Online open book Canvas quiz	5%	Week 12	25 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Lecture quizzes multiple choice quizzes on Canvas based on a pre-lecture video	10%	Weekly	~15 minutes per week
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Pre-laboratory quizzes* Canvas quizzes based on the laboratory manual for each experiment	3%	Weekly	~10 minutes per experiment
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Tutorial quizzes: The quiz involves 10 multiple choice questions and will be held in the tutorial class.
Lecture quizzes: Weekly online quizzes covering the topics in the lecture course.
Final exam: The final examination covers the whole of the lecture course and is made up of approximately 1/3 multiple choice and 2/3 short answer questions. Please note: we use similarity detection software to analyse exam answers to identify potential academic integrity risks.

Semester 2 activitie:

Laboratory attendance and attitude: Awarded each week of the laboratory course.
Pre-laboratory quizzes: Available under 'Laboratory Program' on the eLearning site for this unit and to be completed prior to the relevant experiment.
Laboratory log book: Completed during each laboratory session, the log book is a record of observations and hypotheses.
Laboratory skills: Key laboratory skills completed and assessed during the laboratory sessions.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the units material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the units material and can solve routine problems and/ or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Elements and atoms	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	Electronic structure & bonding	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	Laboratory safety induction	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 03	Bonding and stoichiometry	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	Stoichiometry and periodic trends	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	Laboratory	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 05	Lewis structures & formal charge	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Laboratory	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 06	VSEPR and functional groups	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	Laboratory	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 07	Isomers, chiarality, and energy	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	Laboratory - Mon-Thu classes only	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 08	Thermodynamics	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	Laboratory	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 09	Equilibrium	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	Laboratory	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 10	Acids and bases	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	Laboratory	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 11	Acids and bases, common ion effect, buffers	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	Laboratory	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 12	Organic acids and bases, alcohols, amines, carboxylic acids	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	Laboratory	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 13	Polymers, biopolymers, hydrogen bonding	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 13	Laboratory - Friday classes only	Science laboratory (3 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand the concepts and language of general and physical chemistry
LO2. understand atomic theory, structure and bonding, energetics, equilibrium and the processes occurring in solution
LO3. perform safe laboratory manipulations and to handle glassware
LO4. find and analyse information and judge its reliability and significance
LO5. communicate scientific information appropriately both orally and through written work
LO6. engage in team and group work for scientific investigations and for the process of learning
LO7. demonstrate a sense of responsibility and independence as a learner and as a scientist
LO8. demonstrate basic skills in computing, numeracy and data handling.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Improvements are routinely made based on feedback at the Staff Student Liaison Committee and through other channels. The biggest changes this year are in the laboratory space, where air-conditioning has been installed in all first-year laboratories, and laboratory demonstrators will now be attached to student groups rather than experiments.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

CHEM1011: Fundamentals of Chemistry 1A

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect