Outline

Overview

Modern society is reliant on manufactured chemicals to meet our everyday needs in food production, medicines, clothing and technological applications. Traditional approaches to building molecules have largely ignored the detrimental environmental impacts of the manufacturing processes, but this has changed. In this unit you will study contemporary methods used to create life-changing molecules, from pharmaceuticals and bulk chemicals to polymers in the context of the environmental impact of chemical manufacture and the challenges of ensuring both sustainability of source materials and sustainability of waste treatment. You will gain an understanding of the principles and practices of chemical manufacture, the application of catalytic processes, and the methods used to tailor molecular properties, including the spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques of chemical analysis. In this unit you will address the general issues of renewable and non-renewable resources and waste recycling. By doing this unit you will develop an integrated understanding of the challenges of sustainable chemical manufacture and the fundamental basis for continued study in the topics of organic synthesis, environmental chemistry, polymer science and industrial processes. Concepts in Sustainable Chemical Manufacture covers the same lecture material as CHEM2522/2922 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.

Details

Academic unit	Chemistry Academic Operations
Unit code	CHEM2532
Unit name	Concepts in Sustainable Chemical Manufacture
Session, year ?	Semester 1, 2020
Attendance mode	Normal day
Location	Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Credit points	6

Enrolment rules

Prohibitions ?	CHEM2522 or CHEM2922 or CHEM2404 or CHEM2912 or CHEM2533 or CHEM2534
Prerequisites ?	CHEM1111 or CHEM1911 or CHEM1915 or CHEM1101 or CHEM1901 or CHEM1903 or CHEM1011 or CHEM1001
Corequisites ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff and contact details

Coordinator	Peter Harrowell, peter.harrowell@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam	Final exam Written examination	55%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Laboratory presentation 2 presentations over a 13 weeks	13%	Multiple weeks	2 x ~15 minutes presentations
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Laboratory report 2 reports submitted over 13 weeks	12%	Multiple weeks	2 x ~1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	In‐Semester test 1 Online quiz	5%	Week 05	60 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	In‐Semester test 2 Online quiz	5%	Week 11	60 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Pre‐lecture quiz Online quiz	10%	Weekly	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

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 sydney.edu.au/students/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.

Special consideration

If you experience short-term circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or misadventure or if you have essential commitments which impact your preparation or performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic honesty, academic dishonesty, 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 dishonesty or plagiarism seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of dishonesty, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Organic chemistry & Green chemistry	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 01	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 02	4. Economic synthesis 5. Organic synthesis 6. atom economy	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 03	7. Radical chemistry 8. Catalysis 9. Catalyisis	Lecture (3 hr)
	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
	Material from Wks 1 & 2	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	10. Catalysis 11. Scale up 12. Batch processing	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 05	13. Flow chemistry 14. Contemporary case studies 15. Introduction to polymers	Lecture (3 hr)
	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
	Material from Wks 2 & 4	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	16. Material properties 17. Polymer characterization 18. Reactivity and functionality	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 07	19. Polymerization methods 20. Polymerization 21. Polymerization	Lecture (3 hr)
	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
	Material from Wks 5 & 6	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	22. Industrial synthesis 23. Radical polymerization 24. Industrial synthesis	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 09	25. Chain growth mechanisms 26. Industrial synthesis 27. Contemporary case studies	Lecture (3 hr)
	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
	Material from Wks 7 & 8	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	28. Polymer characterization 29. Polymer properties 30. Polymer processing	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 11	31. Recycling 32. Recycling 33. Reuseability	Lecture (3 hr)
	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
	material from Wks 9 & 10	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	34. Sustainability 35. Sustainability 36. Cost-benefit analysis	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 12	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 13	37. Fillers and Composites 38. Life cycle of polymers 39. Review	Lecture (3 hr)
	Workshop exercise	Workshop (1 hr)
	Material from Wks 11 & 12	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance requirements for this unit of study have been amended. Where online tutorials/workshops/virtual laboratories have been scheduled, students should make every effort to attend and participate at the scheduled time. Penalties will not be applied if technical issues, etc. prevent attendance at a specific online class. In that case, students should discuss the problem with the coordinator, and attend another session, if available.

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. describe concepts of organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, environmental impact and waste treatment.
LO2. communicate scientiﬁc information and laboratory ﬁndings eﬀectively using a range of modes (written, oral, visual etc.) for a variety of audiences.
LO3. recognise the impact of sustainable chemical manufacture to applications beyond the discipline of chemistry and articulate the social value of the subject.
LO4. evaluate and critically interpret chemical data to resolve chemical questions and advance chemical inquiry in the context of sustainable chemical manufacture.
LO5. work collaboratively and responsibly in data collection, analysis and communication.
LO6. assess the technical and social impact of chemistry innovations based on historical case studies.

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

Closing the loop

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Additional information

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/

Key dates
Key dates through the academic year, including teaching periods, census, payment deadlines and exams.
Student administration
Enrolment, course planning, fees, graduation, support services, student IT
Expectations of student conduct
Code of Conduct for Students, Conditions of Enrollment, University Privacy Statement, Academic Integrity
Academic appeals
Academic appeals process, special consideration, rules and guidelines, advice and support
Learning and teaching policy
Policy register, policy search
Financial support
Scholarships, interest free loans, bursaries, money management
Study resources
Learning Centre, faculty and school programs, Library, online resources
Health and support
Student Centre, counselling & psychological services, University Health Service, general health and wellbeing

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

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

CHEM2532: Concepts in Sustainable Chemical Manufacture

Overview

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect