CQUniversity Unit Profile
CHEM11042 Fundamentals of Chemistry
Fundamentals of Chemistry
All details in this unit profile for CHEM11042 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit will provide you with the fundamental principles of chemistry that underpin the medical sciences and provide a strong foundation on which you can develop an understanding of biochemistry and molecular science. You will gain an appreciation of the nature of matter, classic atomic structure and how energy is involved in bond formation. These concepts will be developed to explain the forces between molecules that govern chemical interaction. You will be introduced to the chemistry of electrolytes, acids, bases and buffers. This study will be supported by simple calculations to assist you in relating to the pH scale. The study of organic chemistry and molecules central to the life sciences will enable you to develop an understanding of the biochemistry and molecular biology relevant to your specific discipline. The naming and classifying of chemical compounds will enable you to be conversant with accepted scientific terms. Tutorials and on-line activities will complement the theoretical knowledge gained in lectures and provide you with the basic mathematical and analytical tools required in the application of chemistry to your specific discipline.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 3 - 2018

Distance

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 30%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
3. Examination
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Have your say survey, Moodle forums and student- staff discussions

Feedback

Some students were displeased with the quality of the lecture videos, a number highlighting echo 360 in particular as an issue (sound issues). This unfortunately appears to be a common complaint across a number of units.

Recommendation

Measures were taken by academic staff to improve video quality with reasonable success (personal purchase of microphone). Issues with echo 360 however, are beyond the academic staff’s control. It should be noted that the University has moved to an updated Echo 360 platform for term 2 2018 so hopefully this will combat a lot of the issues highlighted.

Feedback from Have your say survey, Moodle forums and student- staff discussions

Feedback

Students highlighted the occurrence of a sesskey error in Moodle which made navigation of the Moodle site difficult and time consuming.

Recommendation

Academic staff were in contact with ITD to remedy the issue - this is an ongoing issue that ITD are aware of and are working to resolve. Again, this unfortunately is somewhat beyond the control of academic staff.

Feedback from Have your say survey, Moodle forums and student- staff discussions

Feedback

A number of students expressed their concern at the amount of content covered in this unit. With some querying the relevance of the content for their discipline and future study. Some felt that their understanding would benefit if the unit was divided into more units – either via the addition of a bridging unit prior to CHEM11042 to cover the unit load or by the delivery of the content over two separate units.

Recommendation

CHEM11042 is a pre-requisite to a number of units and in order to prepare the students for these units it is necessary to cover a lot of chemistry fundamentals. Staff can sympathise that students (particularly those studying chemistry for the first time) may feel overwhelmed and struggle with the unit content. Consequently, a large amount of resources were made available to students and students were made aware of the support facilities available to them such as the ALC and so forth.

Feedback from Have your say survey, Moodle forums and student- staff discussions

Feedback

The majority of students indicated that overall they enjoyed the course, the following aspects were highlighted 1. Delivery of content 2. Approachability of staff and their consistent reliable response to queries 3. Quality of face to face interaction with staff 4. Use of online assessment pieces

Recommendation

Continue best practice.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply concepts of atomic structure to explain molecular bonding and nuclear reactivity.
  2. Apply chemical concepts to healthcare situations.
  3. Identify categories of organic compounds and their potential chemical interactions.
  4. Perform basic chemical calculations.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Examination - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Examination - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Chemistry: Core Concepts

Edition: 1st edn (2016)
Authors: Blackman et al
John Wiley and Sons
Milton Milton , Queensland , Australia
Binding: eBook

Additional Textbook Information

You are required to purchase an E-Text, which can be purchased by accessing the link on the CHEM11042 Moodle site. The E-book provides animations and short lecture style videos to assist you in your learning and the Wiley Plus Learning Space provides additional quizzes to further reinforce the course material and to assist you to gauge your undertanding of the concepts presented.

However, if you prefer a paper copy, they are still available at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

In addition to the textbook, students are required to have a Scientific calculator (preferred brand Casio FX82 ES) and Periodic table (optional), which are also available at the CQUni Bookshop - see link above.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Aoife Power Unit Coordinator
a.power@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 12 Nov 2018

Module/Topic

L1: How this unit will run

L2: Introduction to matter

L3: Measurement

Chapter

1.1 Why study chemistry?

1.2 Introduction to matter

3.3 Measurement

Events and Submissions/Topic

All weekly quizzes must be completed by the Wednesday of the following week, i.e. week 1's quiz should be completed by the Wednesday of week 2

Week 2 Begin Date: 19 Nov 2018

Module/Topic

L1: Atomic structure

L2: Periodic Table and ion formation

L3: Scientific notation and the metric system

Chapter

1.4 The structure of the atom

1.5 The Periodic Table

3.1 Section: Expression of large and small numbers

3.1 Section: Exponents and logarithms

3.2 Section: SI Units

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 1 closes 11.55pm, Wednesday 14th November 2018

Week 3 Begin Date: 26 Nov 2018

Module/Topic

L1: Molecular formula and the mole

L2: Lewis dot diagrams

L3: Ionic bonding

Chapter

2.1 Representations in chemistry
4.4 The mole
6.1 Fundamentals of bonding

6.2 Ionic bonding

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 2 closes 11.55pm,Wednesday 21st November 2018

Vacation Week Begin Date: 03 Dec 2018

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 10 Dec 2018

Module/Topic

L1: Covalent Bonding and Lewis dot diagrams

L2: VSEPR

L3: Intermolecular forces

Chapter

6.3 Lewis structures

6.4 VSEPR

7.2 Intermolecular forces

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 3 closes 11.55pm,Wednesday 28th November 2018

Week 5 Begin Date: 17 Dec 2018

Module/Topic

L1: Solutions and concentration

L2: Molarity and stoichiometry

L3: Dilutions

Chapter

10.1 Solutions and solubility

10.2 Section: Concentration of solutions

10.2 Section: Diluting a solution

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 4 closes 11.55pm,Wednesday 12th December 2018

Week 6 Begin Date: 31 Dec 2018

Module/Topic

L1: Chemical reactions

L2: Energy in reactions

L3: Equilibrium

Chapter

4.1 Chemical and physical change

4.2 Chemical equations

4.3 Balancing chemical equations

4.6 Stoichiometry, limiting reagents and percentage yield

8.3 Enthalpy

13.4 Temperature dependence of chemical reactions

13.5 Reaction mechanism and catalysis

9.1 Chemical equilibria

9.2 The equilibrium constant, and the reaction quotient

9.4 How systems at equilibrium respond to change

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 5 closes 11.55pm, Wednesday 19th December 2018

Week 7 Begin Date: 07 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

L1: Acid bases and neutralisation reactions

L2: pH calculations

L3: Buffers

Chapter

11.1 The Bronsted-Lowry definition

11.5 The molecular basis of acid strength

11.2 Acid-base reactions in water

11.6 Buffer solutions

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 6 closes 11.55pm, Wednesday 2nd January 2019

Week 8 Begin Date: 14 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

L1: The Ideal Gas equation

L2: Dalton's Law and Henry's Law

L3: Nuclear chemistry

Chapter

7.3 Gases

7.4 Gas mixtures

Supplementary material

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 7 closes 11.55pm, Wednesday 9th January 2019

Poster: Applications of chemistry to Paramedic/Chiropractic scenarios. Due: Week 8 Friday (11th January 2019) 11:55 pm AEST


Poster: Applications of Chemistry to Paramedic or Chiropractic Scenarios Due: Week 8 Friday (18 Jan 2019) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 21 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

L1: Introduction to organic chemistry and alkanes

L2: Alkenes and alkynes

L3: Aromatic compounds

Chapter

2.1 Representations in chemistry

2.2 Section: Naming organic compounds - alkanes

14.1 Introduction to hydrocarbons

14.2 Alkanes

14.4 Reactions of alkanes

14.3 Alkenes and alkynes

14.5 Reactions of alkenes

14.6 Aromatic compounds

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 8 closes 11.55pm, Wednesday 16th January 2019

Week 10 Begin Date: 28 Jan 2019

Module/Topic

L1: Functional groups, aldehydes, ketones and ethers

L2: Alcohols

L3: Oxidation of alcohols

Chapter

2.2 Section: Naming organic compounds - functional groups

15.2 Alcohols

15.3 Reactions of alcohols

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 9 closes 11.55pm, Wednesday 23rd January 2019

Week 11 Begin Date: 04 Feb 2019

Module/Topic

L1: Amines

L2: Carboxylic acids and derivatives

L3: Chiral compounds

Chapter

15.4 Amines

15.6 Carboxylic acids

15.7 Nomenclature of carboxylic acids and derivatives

15.1 Chiral compounds

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 10 closes 11.55pm, Wednesday 30th January 2019

Exam Week Begin Date: 11 Feb 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 11 Feb 2019

Module/Topic

Review

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Weekly on-line quizzes

Task Description

This assessment is comprised of ten on-line quizzes (for Weeks 1 to 10). Completing these quizzes will give you an indication of your understanding of the concepts presented each week and encourage you to stay on track with your study. This assessment requires you to apply the concepts to answer a series of multiple choice questions.

Each quiz is comprised of 10 multiple-choice questions selected from a question bank. All questions in each quiz are of equal value and each of the 10 quizzes will contribute 3%, totaling 30% for this assessment item.

The quiz is not timed and you are allowed three attempts; the highest score of the three attempts will be recorded. Note that questions are generated randomly and you will receive different questions on subsequent attempts.

There is a minimum mark requirement of 40% for this assessment item, i.e., you must attain 40% in total for the 10 quizzes in order to pass the unit overall.



Number of Quizzes

10


Frequency of Quizzes

Weekly


Assessment Due Date

Each quiz will close at 11:55pm on the Wednesday of the following week. i.e. The week 1 quiz will close on the Wednesday of week 2.


Return Date to Students

Quiz results will be released after the completion of each attempt. Answers will be released after the quiz has closed.


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
40% of total marks available for the 10 quizzes

Assessment Criteria

All questions are of equal weighting. One mark will be awarded for each correct response. Incorrect responses will not incur a penalty.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Complete each week's quiz by following the link on the Moodle site.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply concepts of atomic structure to explain molecular bonding and nuclear reactivity.
  • Identify categories of organic compounds and their potential chemical interactions.
  • Perform basic chemical calculations.


Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Poster: Applications of Chemistry to Paramedic or Chiropractic Scenarios

Task Description

This assessment requires you to design a professional poster that clearly illustrates the importance of chemistry in a scenario or medical condition that is significant to healthcare, particularly in your chosen field of paramedic or chiropractic science. The poster should be well presented and include an image or diagram that represents and highlights the significance of the scenario chosen.

You are to use your chemical knowledge and conduct research to explain the scenario and also suggest ways of improving, treating or preventing the issue being discussed.

The poster should be designed using PowerPoint application. A template for the poster and a 'how-to' video will be made available on the Moodle site. Further task details and a list of potential topics will also be available on the units Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Friday (18 Jan 2019) 11:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
40%

Assessment Criteria

A marking Rubric will be provided on the Moodle site for this unit. Marks will be awarded for:

1. Introduction to the topic

2. The use of an appropriate image

3. The chemical explanation of the topic

4. Discussion on the potential of chemical knowledge to help explain/solve the problem presented

5. Overall presentation

6. Grammar and spelling

7. Referencing


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit your poster as a single .pdf file

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply chemical concepts to healthcare situations.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
50%

Length
120 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
40%

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Calculator - all non-communicable calculators, including scientific, programmable and graphics calculators are authorised
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?