Chemistry A (Pharmacy) - CHEM1611
This unit of study is designed specifically for Pharmacy students. The unit offers pharmacy students an integrated approach to the composition of matter, the shapes of molecules, and the physical and chemical processes that occur in chemistry. The emphasis is on the molecular basis of materials and transformations relevant to everyday experience. The concepts covered in lectures will be illustrated by work conducted in the laboratories. The laboratory classes also teach some standard research techniques and experimental methodology. The unit includes the opportunity to use computer-aided instruction both on and off campus via the web. The unit carries a credit point value of 6 and consists of approximately 80 hours of teaching. It contains some continuous assessment and concludes with an examination.
Aims and Goals

This unit of study will provide students with the background necessary to understand the molecular basis of materials and transformations. It will enable students to understand the chemical interactions that underlie the properties of materials and provide a solid grounding in Chemistry.

Syllabus

A summary of the syllabus is available here. Note the order in which the topics are presented may be varied by the lecturer.
Learner Preparation

Students admitted to the Faculty of Pharmacy should enrol in this unit.

Learning Situations

The learning situations of CHEM1611 are:

  • Lectures that cover the core material of the unit.
  • Background reading from the recommended text books to support the lecture material.
  • Use of on-line resources including computer aided learning modules (ChemCAL), self-help problems and past exam papers.
  • Completion of a weekly assignment prior to the tutorial.
  • Tutorials which provide an opportunity to discuss any aspects of the preceding week's work and assignment. These will encourage group work and problem solving.
  • On-line laboratory pre-work. This includes information on the theory of the experiment, the important experimental details, and an on-line quiz. The on-line quiz consists of 3 - 7 questions and tests your understanding of the theory of the experiment.
  • Laboratory work, which consists of a series of experiments, is designed to teach you essential experimental techniques. Some experiments are stand alone and some are supported by the lecture material.

Additional help may be sought from the Duty Tutor, located at the back of Lab B of the Chemistry School available between 1 pm and 2 pm Tuesdays to Fridays from week 2 throughout the semester or by e-mail to dutytutor@chem.usyd.edu.au . All Chemistry School lecturers are available for consultation by appointment.
Learning Commitments and Contact

CHEM1611 is comprised of three 1 hour lectures each week, one 1 hour tutorial each week and ten 3 hour laboratory sessions over the course of the semester. There are assignments based on problem solving and exercises relating to the practical component of the course to be completed weekly in your own time. Students are required to attend all classes. Timetable information may be found here.

A Study Program incorporating adequate time for the following tasks is strongly advised. This should allow time for:

  • completion of the laboratory pre-work. This is conducted on-line, is compulsory, and forms part of your final assessment.
  • completion of weekly assignments.
  • progressive coverage of the syllabus in step with the lecture series. It is expected that the time spent on private study should roughly match that spent in lectures/tutorials/laboratory classes.
Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit of study, students will:

  • possess a general knowledge of atomic theory, structure and bonding, chemical energetics, equilibrium and the processes occurring in solution.
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of fundamental processes occurring in General and Physical Chemistry.
  • have developed laboratory manipulative and glassware handling skills.
  • have been introduced to the techniques used in research laboratories.
  • be able to apply chemical principles to problem solving situations.
  • be able to progress to CHEM1612, Chemistry 1B (Pharmacy).

Students will be able to demonstrate these outcomes in the following assessment items.
Assessment

The program of assessment is as follows (with percentage of the overall total mark in brackets):

  • Laboratory work (10%) comprising:
    § Continual laboratory assessment - including attendance, attitude and post-work (3%).
    § On-line laboratory pre-work quizzes (4%).
    § A laboratory exercise (3%).
  • Four multiple-choice test papers, given during the semester and based on the material covered during the preceding lectures, tutorials and lab classes. The best three marks are taken (15%).
  • A short-answer written paper (3 hours, 75%).

Special Consideration You may apply for Special Consideration (which is not granted routinely) if you miss a laboratory session or tutorial quiz. You need to complete a School of Chemistry Special Consideration form (available from the Enquiry Office) within seven (7) days of the assessment affected. Your preferred option should be to catch up on missed assessable work as the School of Chemistry offers many opportunities to do this - see Sophie at the Enquiry Office.

Supplementary examinations Students who miss the end of semester examination because of illness or misadventure or whose performance in the exam has been severely affected by illness or personal circumstances may be granted a supplementary examination. Application for Special Consideration for exams must be made to the Faculty of Pharmacy Office within seven (7) days of the examination affected. The application form and the Special Consideration Conditions for all Pharmacy students can be found on the Faculty of Pharmacy website: http://www.pharm.usyd.edu.au/ .

NOTE WELL: If you apply for Special Consideration for an examination, you are applying to resit the examination. We will NOT "just give you a couple of extra marks". If Special Consideration is granted, you will be obliged to attend the supplementary examination - your original paper will be considered null and void. The supplementary examinations will be held in Laboratory A at 10.00 a.m. on:

Semester 1: Monday 4th July 2005 and Semester 2: Monday 21st November 2005

All grades (High Distinction 85% and above, Distinction 75-84%, Credit 65-74%, Pass 50-64% and Fail <50%) are available in this unit of study.
Textbooks

The recommended texts are:

  • Chemistry. The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change, Martin Silberberg, McGraw Hill, 4th Edition
  • Organic Chemistry, John McMurry, Brooks/Cole, 6th Edition.

There are many other good Chemistry text books and specific advice on the suitability of a text that you may already possess may be obtained from your lecturer.

  • You are required to possess a copy of the First Year Chemistry Laboratory Handbook for the Laboratory work. This will be sold during the first week of semester in Chemistry Lab C.