Faculty of ScienceSchool of ChemistryCHEM1001: Fundamentals of Chemistry 1ASemester 1 , 2019 | 6 Credit Points | Coordinator: Dr Toby Hudson (toby.hudson@sydney.edu.au)Download unit outline in PDF format 1 IntroductionThis unit of study is designed for those that have not studied chemistry at HSC level. There is no assumed prior knowledge in chemistry, however you are encouraged to undertake the Bridging Course to familiarise yourself with the 'language of chemistry'. The unit offers 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 laboratory classes develop an appreciation and understanding of the scientific method and include standard research techniques and experimental methodology. The unit carries a credit point value of 6 and consists of approximately 80 hours of teaching. It contains continuous assessment and concludes with an examination. Students enrolling in this course will typically not have undertaken HSC Chemistry or an equivalent. Students with a background in post-16 Chemistry should enrol in CHEM1101. 2 Course Aims, Learning Objectives and Graduate Attributes2.1 Course Aims
This course serve as an introduction to the language and fundamentals of chemistry and chemical science. Students will gain an understanding of major principles in general chemistry and will acquire manipulative, practical and process skills in the laboratory. In addition, they will become proficient in applying quantitative relationships to predict the physical properties of chemical systems. These latter concepts will provide the foundations of a molecular toolbox that will serve them in any future attempt to understand or use science at a molecular level.
2.2 Learning Outcomes
Detailed learning outcomes for each topic in the syllabus are available at the link below:
After successfully completing this unit, you should be able to demonstrate:
2.3 Graduate Attributes Graduate Attributes are generic attributes that encompass not only technical knowledge but additional qualities that will equip students to be strong contributing members of professional and social communities in their future careers. The overarching graduate attributes identified by the University relate to a graduate’s attitude or stance towards knowledge, towards the world, and towards themselves. These are understood as a combination of five overlapping skills or abilities, the foundations of which are developed as part of specific disciplinary study. For further details please refer to the Science faculty website at: http://www.itl.usyd.edu.au/graduateAttributes/facultyGA.cfm?faculty=Science
2.4 Threshold Learning Outcomes The Threshold Learning Outcomes (LTOs) are the set of knowledge, skills and competencies that a person has acquired and is able to demonstrate after the completion of a bachelor degree program. The TLOs are not equally weighted across the degree program and the numbering does not imply a hierarchical order of importance.
For Learning Outcomes related to specific topics go to http://firstyear.chem.usyd.edu.au/chem1001/learningoutcomes.shtml. 3 Work, Health and Safety3.1 University Work, Health and Safety Policy Information about the University’s Work Health and Safety policy is available at http://sydney.edu.au/whs/policies/legislation.shtml. This legislation includes:
Individuals can be prosecuted as well as employers. A tiered regime of penalties has been introduced, with a maximum penalty, for the most serious breaches, of $600,000 and/or five years’ imprisonment for individuals. With respect to working in practical classes, “reasonable care” includes wearing a lab coat and closed in shoes (the top of the foot must be covered), and complying with safety instructions when handling hazardous materials and/or equipment. 3.2 General Laboratory Safety Rules
3.3 Emergency Evacuation Procedures If you hear the alert signal (interrupted beeping sound), prepare to evacuate:
If you hear the evacuate alarm (rising repeated tone):
3.4 Risk Assessment Risk Assessment (RA) aims to identify any foreseeable hazard that may arise in the workplace and to assess the risk of harm arising from the identified hazards. Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide employees, self-employed persons, workers and other health and safety representatives with the necessary information to safely manage the risk from hazardous substance exposure. For each practical class, a risk assessment and relevant MSDS will be available for viewing. It is the responsibility of each student to read the relevant RA before each practical class. 4 Study CommitmentThe current standard work load for a 6 credit point unit of study is 3-7 hours per week of face-to-face teaching contact hours and an additional 6 hours per week of student work of independent study. Below is a breakdown of our expectations for this unit. It should be noted that ‘Independent Study’ is based on what we believe to be the amount of time a typical student should spend to achieve to pass an item of assessment. Times are a guide only.
Study Tips
You are now in control of your own study strategy, and as an adult learner it is up to you to devise a study plan that best suits you. Many resources are available to assist your learning including online activities, tutorials and support, a range of textbooks and the First Year Chemistry Learning Centre.
5 Learning and Teaching ActivitiesWeekly Schedule
6 Teaching Staff and Contact Details
7 Learning ResourcesRecommended Textbook Either of the following: Blackman, Bottle, Schmid, Mocerino and Wille,
Blackman, Bridgeman, Lawrie, Southam, Thompson and Williamson, Especially if:
Textbooks can be purchased at the Co-op Bookshop and copies are also on reserve in the SciTech Library. The textbook is a recommended purchase and is not compulsory. Resources provided by the publisher, including a link to their course website, are available under 'Textbook Resources' on the eLearning site for this unit. 8 Assessment TasksYou are responsible for understanding the University policy regarding assessment and examination, which can be found at https://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2014/378&RendNum=0 Formative and Summative Assessment Assessment in this unit will be formative (for self assessment and feedback) and summative (for feedback and marks). Compulsory Assessments The laboratory course must be passed to pass this unit of study (see details below). Otherwise, assessment marks must total at least 50% to pass and no other assessment (including the examination) need be passed separately. 8.1 Summative Assessments A visual calendar form of the summative assessment dates is available. A iCal format calendar for Google, Apple and other calendar application is also available
Descriptions of Summative Assessments
Tutorial Quiz 1 The quiz involves 10 multiple choice questions and will be held in the tutorial class. A sample quiz will be made available during the previous week (see 'Course Resources' on the eLearning site) and this should be consulted for the topics and style of the questions in the quiz. The result and detailed personal feedback will be sent to your university email. Tutorial Quiz 2 The quiz involves 10 multiple choice questions and will be held in the tutorial class. A sample quiz will be made available during the previous week (see 'Course Resources' on the eLearning site) and this should be consulted for the topics and style of the questions in the quiz. The result and detailed personal feedback will be sent to your university email. Tutorial Quiz 3 The quiz involves 10 multiple choice questions and will be held in the tutorial class. A sample quiz will be made available during the previous week (see 'Course Resources' on the eLearning site) and this should be consulted for the topics and style of the questions in the quiz. The result and detailed personal feedback will be sent to your university email. Lecture Quizzes Weekly online quizzes covering the topics in the lecture course. These quizzes are designed to help you develop your understanding of key topics and to give you continuous feedback. The first quiz is in week 1 but is for practice only and the first assessed quiz begins in week 2. The remaining quizzes are available in each week of the semester (except the tutorial quiz weeks but including the midsemester study week), and each one is available for 2 weeks. Examination 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. No laboratory work is examinable. Full exam papers with model answers are available via 'Course Resources' on the eLearning site for this unit. Laboratory Attendance and Attitude Awarded each week of the laboratory course. This is part of the 15% of the unit mark awarded for the laboratory course. The laboratory course must be passed for the unit for the unit to be passed - i.e. a mark of 7.5 / 15 is required. In addition, you must attend 8 out of the 9 experimental session to pass 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. Later completion will incur a 50% penalty. This is part of the 15% of the unit mark awarded for the laboratory course. This is part of the 15% of the unit mark awarded for the laboratory course. Laboratory Log Book Completed during each laboratory session, the log book is a record of observations and hypotheses. See the 'Laboratory Handbook' for more details. Completion of the 'Plagiarism and Academic Honesty' course is required for the log book mark to be recorded. This is part of the 15% of the unit mark awarded for the laboratory course. This is part of the 15% of the unit mark awarded for the laboratory course. Laboratory Skills Key laboratory skills completed and assessed during the laboratory sessions.This is part of the 15% of the unit mark awarded for the laboratory course.
8.2 Formative Assessments
Descriptions of Formative Assessments
ChemCAL Online Tutorials and Other Resources A collection of self-assessment modules and other resources for topics from the lecture course. See 'Resources organised week by week' on the eLearning site for this unit or directly at http://firstyear.chem.usyd.edu.au/chem1001/resources.shtml Tutorial Assignments You should download the weekly tutorial problem sheet and complete it each week before your tutorial. See 'Course resources' on the eLearning site for this unit or directly at http://firstyear.chem.usyd.edu.au/chem1001/tutorial_sheets.shtml Suggested Exam Questions Past exam topics organized for each topic of the lecture course. See 'Course resources' on the eLearning site for this unit or directly at http://firstyear.chem.usyd.edu.au/chem1001/exam_questions.shtml Tutorial Worksheets Group worksheets covering key examinable concepts from the lecture course. These will be provided in hard copy in each tutorial class.
8.3 Assessment Grading
Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD (High Distinction), DI (Distinction), CR (Credit), PS (Pass) and FA (Fail) as defined by Academic Board Assessment Coursework Policy 2014 (available on the Policy Online site). These achievement levels are described below. The assessments for this unit are described in this unit of study outline. This description includes the purpose, timing and weighting of each assessment item and an explanation of how tasks relate to the learning outcomes of the unit. Students are responsible for actively engaging with these assessments, including carefully reading the guidance provided, spending sufficient time on the task, ensuring their work is authentic and their own (whether individual or group work), completing work on time and acting on feedback provided. Assessment tasks are moderated to ensure their appropriateness, their consistency with the achievement level descriptors below and equity of grade distributions across the units offered by the Faculty of Science. As this is a Fundamentals unit, it should be noted that the assessment tasks may give fewer opportunities for students to demonstrate achievement at the HD, DI or CR level. High Distinction (HD) 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 (DI) 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 (CR) 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 (PS) 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. 9 Academic Integrity
While the University is aware that the vast majority of students and staff act ethically and honestly, it is opposed to and will not tolerate academic dishonesty or plagiarism and will treat all allegations of dishonesty seriously.
All students are expected to be familiar and act in compliance with the relevant University policies, procedures and codes, which include:
Students should never use document-sharing sites and should be extremely wary of using online 'tutor' services. Further information on academic honesty and the resources available to all students can be found on the Academic Integrity page of the University website: http://sydney.edu.au/elearning/student/EI/index.shtml. 9.1 Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism Academic dishonesty involves seeking unfair academic advantage or helping another student to do so. You may be found to have engaged in academic dishonesty if you:
Plagiarism is using someone else's ideas, words, formulas, methods, evidence, programming code, images, artworks, or musical creations without proper acknowledgement. If you use someone's actual words you must use quotation marks as well as an appropriate reference. If you use someone's ideas, formulas, methods, evidence, tables or images you must use a reference. You must not present someone's artistic work, musical creation, programming code or any other form of intellectual property as your own. If referring to any of these, you must always present them as the work of their creator and reference in an appropriate way. Plagiarism is always unacceptable, regardless of whether it is done intentionally or not. It is considered dishonest if done knowingly, with intent to deceive, or if a reasonable person can see that the assessment contains important material copied from other sources and not properly referenced. The University understands that not all plagiarism is dishonest and provides students with opportunities to improve their academic writing, including their understanding of scholarly citation and referencing practices. 9.2 Use of Similarity Detection Software All written assessments submitted in this unit of study will be submitted to the similarity detecting software program known as Turnitin. Turnitin searches for matches between text in your written assessment task and text sourced from the Internet, published works and assessments that have previously been submitted to Turnitin for analysis. There will always be some degree of text-matching when using Turnitin. Text-matching may occur in use of direct quotations, technical terms and phrases, or the listing of bibliographic material. This does not mean you will automatically be accused of academic dishonesty or plagiarism, although Turnitin reports may be used as evidence in academic dishonesty and plagiarism decision-making processes. 10 Learning and Teaching PoliciesFor full details of applicable university policies and procedures, see the Policies Online site at https://sydney.edu.au/policy Academic Policies relevant to student assessment, progression and coursework:
Relevant forms are available on the Faculty website at https://sydney.edu.au/science/cstudent/ug/forms.shtml Replacement assessments for end of semester examinations Final examinations will be held in the formal examination period. Students affected by illness, injury or misadventure may lodge a request for Special Consideration to sit a replacement examination. Students who apply for and are granted either special arrangements or special consideration for end of semester examinations in units offered by the Faculty of Science will be expected to sit any replacement assessments in the two weeks immediately following the end of the formal examination period. Later dates for replacement assessments may be considered where the application is supported by appropriate documentation and provided that adequate resources are available to accommodate any later date. If you are registered with Disability Services and would like to have adjustments applied to the replacement examination, you are required to amend your Academic Plan with Disability Services specifically for this replacement examination. This needs to be done as soon as you are notified of the replacement opportunity. If you have not done so, you will be allowed to sit the replacement, but under unadjusted conditions |