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Unit of study_

CHEM1912: Chemistry 1B (Advanced)

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Chemistry transforms the way we live. It provides the basis for understanding biological, geological and atmospheric processes, how medicines work, the properties of materials and substances, how beer is brewed, and for obtaining forensic evidence. This unit of study builds upon your prior knowledge of chemistry to further develop your knowledge and skills in chemistry for broad application, including further study in chemistry. You will learn about organic chemistry reactions, structural determination, nitrogen chemistry, industrial processes, kinetics, electrochemistry, thermochemistry, phase behaviour, solubility equilibrium and chemistry of metals. You will further 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 enquiry, observation and measurement, you will better understand the natural and physical world and will be able to apply this understanding to real-world problems and solutions. Chemistry 1B (Advanced) is built on a satisfactory prior knowledge of Chemistry 1A (Advanced). Compared to the mainstream Chemistry 1B, the theory component of this unit provides a higher level of academic rigour and makes broader connections between topics.

Unit details and rules

Unit code CHEM1912
Academic unit Chemistry Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
CHEM1002 or CHEM1102 or CHEM1902 or CHEM1904 or CHEM1108 or CHEM1012 or CHEM1112 or CHEM1992
Prerequisites
? 
CHEM1911 or CHEM1991 or CHEM1901 or CHEM1903 or (75 or above in CHEM1111 or CHEM1101) or (90 or above in HSC Chemistry or equivalent)
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Stephen George-Williams, stephen.george-williams@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final Online Examination
Online exam. This assessment is compulsory.
45% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO6
Small continuous assessment Laboratory Log Book
a record of observations
5% Multiple weeks 1-2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO7 LO6
Assignment Spectroscopy problem solving assignment
Written assignment
10% Week 05
Due date: 04 Sep 2022 at 23:59
2 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Online task Checkpoint Quiz
Timed online open book Canvas quiz
5% Week 07 40 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO2
Assignment group assignment Group video laboratory assessment
A video presentation based on project results
10% Week 09 Varied
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Assignment group assignment Laboratory report
A research report based on project results
10% Week 13 Varied
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Online task Weekly Lecture quizzes
multiple choice quizzes on Canvas based on the lecture and tutorial content
15% Weekly ~30 minutes each week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Weekly 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. Each quiz is available for 2 weeks. You can have as many attempts at each quiz as you like within the period it is available. Your highest mark will be recorded. Out of the 12 quizzes, the top 10 marks will be used to calculate the final grade contribution from the weekly lecture quizzes.
  • Checkpoint Quiz: The quiz involves 15 marks worth of questions and will be held during the assigned week as an online open book Canvas quiz. A sample quiz will be made available during the previous week and this should be consulted for the topics and style of the questions in the quiz. 
  • Spectroscopy Problem Solving Assignment: An online research task based on workshops in the tutorials involving structure determination of organic molecules from IR, UV and NMR spectroscopy. The structure determination section is only assessed through this assignment: it is not re-assessed in the checkpoint quiz or examination.
  • Examination: The final examination covers the whole of the lecture course and is made up of a mixture of multiple-choice and short answer questions. No laboratory work, nor the spectroscopy topic, is examinable. 
    • Failure to submit or attend compulsory assessment tasks 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.
  • Laboratory Log Book: The logbook is a record of observations and hypotheses. Your highest five logbooks (worth 1% each) will be counted towards your final grade.
  • Group video laboratory assessment: The video will focus on a particular aspect of the project or explain a particular experimental or analytical technique or even focus in on a particular reaction.
  • Laboratory report: The scientific laboratory report will describe what you set out to do, what you did, what you observed, what qualitative and quantitative results you got, and what conclusions you drew from this project.

 

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 satisfactoryachievement 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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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:

online quizzes cannot be submitted late

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Laboratory weeks 3-12, Blended online and on-campus program, see the lab canvas page for details Science laboratory (27 hr)  
Week 01 Organic Structure and Structural Determination Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 02 Structural Determination and Introduction to Kinetics Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 03 Kinetics and Organic Chemistry 1: Reaction classes, curly arrows, acids/bases and alkenes Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 04 Organic Chemistry 2: Reactions of alcohols & alkyl halides Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 05 Organic Chemistry 3 : Carbonyl compounds and synthetic strategy Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 06 Nitrogen chemistry & Industrial chemistry Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 07 Equilibria in industrial chemistry & electrochemistry Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 08 Electrochemistry & gases Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 09 Liquids, liquid crystals & phase diagrams Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 10 Phase diagrams & crystal structures Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 11 Solubility equilibria & coordination chemistry Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 12 Coordination complexes Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 13 Wrap-up and revision Lecture (3 hr)  
Weekly Weekly 1 hour tutorials follow the lecture content. Tutorial (13 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 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. demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, language and symbolism of organic and inorganic chemistry
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of organic and inorganic transformations, how they relate to structure and how they can be manipulated in nature and nanotechnology
  • LO3. demonstrate the ability to perform safe laboratory manipulations and to handle glassware
  • LO4. demonstrate the ability to find and analyse information and judge its reliability and significance
  • LO5. demonstrate the ability to communicate scientific information appropriately both orally and through written work
  • LO6. demonstrate the ability to 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.

Altered lab program and altered weekly quizzes.

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: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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.