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Unit outline_

CHEM1111: Chemistry 1A

Intensive January, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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 further develop your knowledge and skills in chemistry for application to life and medical sciences, engineering, and further study in chemistry. You will learn about nuclear and radiation chemistry, wave theory, atomic orbitals, spectroscopy, bonding, enthalpy and entropy, equilibrium, processes occurring in solutions, and the functional groups in carbon chemistry. You will develop experimental design, conduct and analysis skills in chemistry through experiments that ask and answer questions like how do dyes work, how do we desalinate water, how do we measure the acid content in foods, how do we get the blue in a blueprint, and how do we extract natural products from plants? Through inquiry, observation and measurement, you will understand the 'why' and the 'how' of the 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 with a satisfactory prior knowledge of the HSC chemistry 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 CHEM1011 or CHEM1911 or CHEM1991
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students who have not completed HSC Chemistry (or equivalent) and HSC Mathematics (or equivalent) are strongly advised to take the Chemistry and Mathematics Bridging Courses (offered in February)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Stephen George-Williams, stephen.george-williams@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 19 January 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
End of semester exam
Paper-based exam containing short answer questions covering weeks 4-6.
30% February exam weeks 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Online task Checkpoint quiz 1
15 MCQs on Canvas
10% Week 02
Due date: 19 Jan 2024 at 10:00
40 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO5 LO2
Supervised test
? 
Mid-course exam
Paper-based exam containing short answer questions covering weeks 1-3.
30% Week 03
Due date: 25 Jan 2024 at 10:00
1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Online task Checkpoint quiz 2
15 MCQs on Canvas
10% Week 05
Due date: 09 Feb 2024 at 10:00
40 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO5 LO2
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Laboratory work
Compulsory. Skills assessment, lab book assessment and pre-lab quiz.
20% Weekly Eight three hours laboratory sessions.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

  • Checkpoint quizzes: The quizzes each involve 15 multiple-choice questions and will be held during the assigned week as an electronic canvas-based quiz. You can complete this quiz wherever you may wish, but note that it is still an individual exercise.
  • Exams: The mid-course and final exams cover the first half or the back half lecture course, respectively. These exams are made up of paper-based short answer questions. No laboratory work is examinable. 
  • Pre-Laboratory Quizzes: Available on Canvas site
  • Laboratory
    • The laboratory course represents 20% of the unit mark. The laboratory classes are compulsory, and laboratory assessment must be passed for the unit to be passed. Apply for special consideration if you miss a class.
    • Log Book: The logbook is a record of observations and hypotheses.
    • Technical Skills: Key laboratory skills completed and assessed during the laboratory sessions. Consideration should also be given to safety, cleanliness, and timeliness.

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 a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and
comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects
exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates 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 unit 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 unit 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 unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects
satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.

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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 An introduction to atomic theory and bonding in molecules. Block teaching (12 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 02 An introduction to molecular geometry and intermolecular interactions. Block teaching (13 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 03 Wrap-up, revision and exam Block teaching (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 04 An introduction to thermodynamics and equilibrium including acids and bases. Block teaching (12 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 An introduction to organic chemistry. Block teaching (13 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 Wrap-up, revision and exam Block teaching (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Laboratory classes are compulsory, and laboratory assessments must be passed for the unit to be passed. Apply for special consideration if you miss a lab class due to exceptional circumstances such as illness, injury or misadventure.

 

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 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.

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

  • LO1. understand of 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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Exams will be returning to in-person supervised exams.

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.