Outline

Overview

The students should develop an understanding of and competence in the formulation and solution of material and energy balance problems in engineering; develop competence in using basic flowsheet analysis and appropriate computational tools; improve their group work and problem solving skills; gain an ability to extract a simplified version of a problem from a complex situation. Mass conservation related topics include: unit systems and unit conversions; properties of solids, fluids and gases; mass balance calculations on batch and flow systems; balances on multiple units processes, balances on reactive systems, recycle, bypass and purge calculations; equilibrium compositions of reacting systems; vapour pressure and humidity. Energy conservation includes the following topics: apply the first law of thermodynamics to flow and batch systems in process industries; understand thermodynamic properties such as internal energy, enthalpy and heat capacity; conduct energy balances for sensible heat changes, phase transformations and reactive processes for practical industrial systems; understand the applications of psychrometry, refrigeration, heat of formation and combustion in industry.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	HSC Mathematics Extension 1
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Alejandro Montoya, alejandro.montoya@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Alejandro Montoya, alejandro.montoya@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final Exam Individual written assessment. Special Consideration required to resit the exam	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Regular online assessment Individual Canvas Quiz, Special Consideration required to resit quiz	4%	Multiple weeks	40 min max	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Task Individual Canvas Quiz. Special Consideration required to resit quiz. #earlyfeedbacktask	1%	Week 03 Due date: 22 Aug 2025 at 23:00 Closing date: 22 Aug 2025	40 min max	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Quiz 1 Individual written quiz. Special Consideration required to resit quiz.	25%	Week 05 Due date: 05 Sep 2025 at 14:00 Closing date: 05 Sep 2025	2h max	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Literature Report Written Literature Review on self-selected topic	15%	Week 10 Due date: 17 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 17 Oct 2025	5 pages maximum	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Quiz 2 Individual written quiz. Special Consideration required to resit quiz	25%	Week 12 Due date: 31 Oct 2025 at 14:00 Closing date: 31 Oct 2025	2 h max	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

The assessment will consist of online examinations, two quizzes, a final written assessment, and the submission of a written report. Its purpose is to evaluate your performance and encourage reflection on your learning. Eighty-five percent of the assessments will be individual, while 15% will involve group work.

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
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 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. 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
Please select a valid week from the list below	6 hours of independent study required per week to ensure that the student is up to speed with lecture materials and completing tutorial work	Independent study (78 hr)
Week 01	Class policies and course requirements, and basic process engineering analysis	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	Mass balances on non reactive systems with single unit operations	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	Engineering process representation and analysis	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	Mass balances on non reactive systems with multiple unit operations	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Chemical reactions and equations	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	Mass balances on reactive systems with single unit operations	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	Mass balances on reactive systems with multiple unit operations	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	Forms of energy in chemical processes	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	First law of thermodynamics Reference states Energy balance calculations	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	Energy balance non-reactive systems	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	Energy balances for reactive processes	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	Energy and mass balances for dynamic processes	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 13	Course review	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Self learning: Students are expected to spend at least 6 hours per week of 'self learning' outside the specified contact periods in order to progress in the unit of study concepts.

Attendance: The lectures will be held in person. Each lecture will be recorded and made available on the Canvas site within 24 hours after it concludes. We strongly encourage you to attend each session in person. Tutors and lecturers will be available to provide feedback during the tutorial sessions.

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.

Required readings

Lecture slides and tutorial exercises are available on the Canvas site. In addition, the students should examine each of the topics from the following primary books:

Recommended:

Principles of Chemical Engineering Processes: Material and Energy Balances. Ghasem, Nayef.; Henda, Redhouane, CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group, 2015

Library online link to book:

https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61USYD_INST/1c0ug48/alma991012025209705106

Optional:

Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes. R.M. Felder and R.W. Rousseau John Wiley & Sons, 2016.

Library online link to book:

https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61USYD_INST/12rahnq/alma991032157099605106

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. Demonstrate strong written and communication skills while effectively collaborating as a valuable member of an engineering team
LO2. Outline systematic and logical approach for solving a variety of complex engineering problems
LO3. Demonstrate proficiency in composing and calculating material flows for a wide range of typical chemical engineering processes.
LO4. Develop the capability to identify different forms of energy and effectively calculate energy balances for a diverse set of engineering scenarios commonly encountered in practice.
LO5. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the essential elements involved in processes conducted within modern chemical and process industries, while recognising the practical applications of scientific knowledge in engineering practices.

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.

The assessment tasks are adjusted following previous feedback.

Additional information

Students who miss an assessment or encounter circumstances affecting their preparation or performance will need to apply for special consideration. Replacement tests will only be conducted if the special consideration request is granted.

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

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

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

CHNG1103: Conservation of Mass and Energy

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

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