Outline

Overview

Chemical physics is the study of how the laws of physics gives rise to the complexity of molecular behavior and the extraordinary variety of materials and properties - from liquid crystals to tungsten carbide - that result when large numbers of atoms or molecules interact with each other. To trace the connection between fundamental physical laws and their diverse material outcomes you will apply computational techniques and gain experience in the modelling tools used in material design and technological development. You will address the fundamentals of structure in materials including symmetry and crystal stability, defects, porous structures and emergent properties such as magnetism. You will explore the statistical origins of thermodynamic stability and chemical kinetics, concepts fundamental to battery, fuel cell, sensor, and capacitor technologies. Modern experimental methods for structural determination (e. g. neutron diffraction) and dynamics (e. g. pulsed laser spectroscopy) will be covered. By doing this unit you will develop a deep insight into the physical basis of complex chemical systems and a firm foundation for future studies in physical and computational chemistry, materials science, and device design. Concepts in Chemical Physics covers the same lecture material as CHEM2524/2924 but does not involve laboratory classes. Instead, students will undertake a series of workshop exercises aimed at exploring the broader impact of chemical innovation on technology and society. This unit does not represent a prerequisite for any of the 3000-level lab-based Chemistry units.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Chemistry Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	CHEM1111 or CHEM1911 or CHEM1991 or CHEM1101 or CHEM1901 or CHEM1903 or CHEM1011 or CHEM1001
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	CHEM2924 or CHEM2524 or CHEM2402 or CHEM2912 or CHEM2532 or CHEM2533
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Cameron Kepert, cameron.kepert@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Cameron Kepert, cameron.kepert@sydney.edu.au
	Toby Hudson, toby.hudson@sydney.edu.au
	Asaph Widmer-Cooper, asaph.widmer-cooper@sydney.edu.au
Project supervisor(s)	Chiara Neto, chiara.neto@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Maxim Avdeev, maxim.avdeev@sydney.edu.au
	Peter Gill, p.gill@sydney.edu.au
	Meredith Jordan, meredith.jordan@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam Supervised exam: Pen and paper on campus	55%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Workshop presentation Oral presentation	13%	Multiple weeks	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Workshop assignment Workshop assignment	12%	Multiple weeks	3 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Online test 1 Online quiz	5%	Week 05 Due date: 01 Sep 2024 at 23:59	60 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Online test 2 Online quiz	5%	Week 11 Due date: 20 Oct 2024 at 23:59	60 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Weekly Quizzes Online quiz	10%	Weekly	30min/week
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Workshops: The workshops represents 25% of the unit mark. Apply for special consideration if you miss a workshop due to illness, injury or misadventure.

Final exam:

Failure to submit or attend compulsory assessment tasks, such as this exam, will result in an Absent Fail (AF) for the unit.
If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.
There will be no third replacement exam offering.

Assessment criteria

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than 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.

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Workshop	Workshop (12 hr)
Week 01	1. Introduction 2. Stability of matter 3. Symmetry	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Material from Weeks 1 & 2	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	4. Crystals 5. Crystal symmetry 6. Diffraction	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	7. Solid state materials 8-9. Electronic materials	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Material from Weeks 3 & 4	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	10. Dielectric materials 11. Magnetic materials 12. Statistical mechanics	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	13. Statistical mechanics 14.-15. Thermodynamics	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Material from Weeks 5 & 6	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	16. Themodynamics. 17. Gases and solids. 18. Defects in solids.	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	19.-21. Phase transitions	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	Material from Weeks 7 & 8	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	22. Phase transitions. 23. Heat capacity. 24. Kinetics of phase transitions	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	25. Glasses and metastable states. 26 Soft Matter. 27 Nematic Liquid Crystals	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Material from Weeks 9 & 10	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	28 Nematic Liquid Crystals. 29 Liquids. 30 Kinetics	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	31 Kinetics. 32. Surfaces 33. Wetting	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 12	Material from Weeks 11 & 12	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	34 Adhesion & Friction. 35-36 Adsorption	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	37-39. Metal-organic framework materials: structure and properties	Lecture (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 and apply knowledge of chemical physics
LO2. Communicate scientific information effectively using a range of modes (written, oral, visual, etc) for a variety of audiences
LO3. Recognize the relevance of chemical physics to applications beyond the discipline of chemistry and articulate the social value of the subject
LO4. Evaluate and interpret chemical data to resolve chemical questions and advance chemical inquiry in chemical physics
LO5. Work collaboratively and responsibly in data collection, analysis and communication

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.

Updates made to assessments.

Additional information

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

Support for students

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

CHEM2534: Concepts in Chemical Physics

Semester 2, 2024 [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

Support for students

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect