Overview
Atoms, Molecules and Matter will provide you with an understanding of the basic principles of chemistry and how they apply to daily life. This unit will present fundamental chemical principles that are central to all sciences, including healthcare, biology, environmental science and agriculture. This unit will provide the foundation for further study in chemistry, biochemistry and molecular sciences. You will learn about matter and atomic structure, chemical bonding and the forces and chemical interactions between molecules. You will be introduced to the chemistry of electrolytes, acids, bases and buffers and enabled to perform calculations relating concentrations to the pH of strong and weak acids, bases and buffers. Understanding the naming and classification of chemical compounds will allow you to communicate effectively and precisely with your colleagues in science and industry. Basic nuclear radiation safety will be presented. This unit has a compulsory residential school. The residential school will emphasise laboratory safety and introduce you to skills relating to the preparation of standard solutions and volumetric procedures, titrimetric and spectrophotometric analyses and scientific report writing.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Anti-requisite: CHEM11041
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 2 - 2027
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).
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Academic Progression Policy and Procedure
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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 SUTE
Students expressed mixed views about the residential school. Many found it valuable and engaging, while others felt the duration was too long or that activities did not cater well to students with differing levels of prior chemistry knowledge.
Review the structure and pacing of the residential school and explore opportunities to better accommodate students with varying levels of prior chemistry knowledge while maintaining learning outcomes.
Feedback from SUTE
Some students indicated that the tutorial delivery could be more engaging, with additional explanation of worked examples and more support for students who are new to chemistry.
Review tutorial delivery with teaching staff to encourage more detailed explanations of worked examples and strategies to support students with limited chemistry background.
Feedback from SUTE
A small number of students suggested that greater flexibility in the mode and timing of teaching would improve their learning experience, including preferences for in-person classes.
Continue to monitor student feedback regarding teaching delivery and consider feasible opportunities to enhance student engagement within the existing delivery model.
Feedback from SUTE
A small number of students commented on the consistency of teaching staff and the availability of the unit coordinator during the term and residential school.
Review communication and staffing arrangements to ensure students have clear points of contact and a consistent learning experience throughout the unit.