CQUniversity Unit Profile
CHEM11045 Chemical Investigation and Theory
Chemical Investigation and Theory
All details in this unit profile for CHEM11045 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

In Chemical Investigation and Theory you will learn about chemical bonding theories and apply these to justify the observed properties of matter. This unit will extend your knowledge of nuclear chemistry by introducing different types of nuclear radiation and the representation of these processes by chemical equations and also the application of half-life calculations. You will use the First Law of Thermodynamics to study heat energies associated with chemical reactions and also consider the effects of changing conditions on established chemical equilibria. The nature of solutions will be investigated with particular focus on colligative properties and the Ideal Gas Equation will be used to describe the nature of gases. Aspects of environmental chemistry will be introduced.

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 1 - 2023

Online

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. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 30%
3. Online Test
Weighting: 40%

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 SUTE

Feedback

Students recommended that live tutorials would be beneficial to their learning and an opportunity to engage with other students in the unit.

Recommendation

The unit coordinator will consider the implementation of live Q&A to support student learning and engagement.

Feedback from SUTE

Feedback

Students recommended that the quality of tutorial questions and answer presentation could be improved.

Recommendation

Improve the quality of tutorial question and answer presentation.

Feedback from Self and peer review

Feedback

It would be beneficial for the students if more detailed information is provided about the final assessment task especially around low and high order multiple choice questions..

Recommendation

The unit coordinator will provide more detailed information pertaining to the final assessment task.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Describe the structure of the atom and its sub-atomic particles and relate this to the trends observed in the Periodic Table
  2. Apply bonding theories to explain the shape, polarity and bonding that occurs in and between molecules
  3. Describe the composition and synthesis of organic polymers
  4. Describe the nature of colligative properties
  5. Apply chemical laws to explain chemical reactions and gas behaviour
  6. Describe types of nuclear radiation and perform half life calculations
  7. Discuss important reactions in the environment.
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 5 6 7
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30%
3 - Online Test - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30%
3 - Online Test - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Chemistry

Edition: 4th (2019)
Authors: Blackman, Bottle, Schmid, Mocerino, Wille
Wiley
Milton Milton , QLD , Australia
ISBN: 0-471-44891-5
Binding: Hardcover

IT Resources

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

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Ray Marshall Unit Coordinator
r.marshall@cqu.edu.au
Amie Anastasi Unit Coordinator
a.anastasi@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Introduction to atomic structure, quantum numbers and the Periodic Table

Chapter

Lecture 1: Atomic Structure

1.1 The essential concepts in brief
1.3 The structure of the atom
1.5 Electrons in atoms


Lecture 2: The Periodic Table - layout, groups, periods, blocks

1.4 The Periodic Table of the Elements


Lecture 3:  The nature of electrons - quantum numbers

4.4 Quantisation and quantum numbers

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Electronic configuration and Periodicity

Chapter

Lecture 1: Electronic orbitals and the Periodic Table

4.5 Atomic orbital electron distributions and energies

Lecture 2: Electronic configurations and valence electrons

4.6 Structure of the Periodic Table
4.7 Electron configurations - only up to Configuration of ions

Lecture 3: Trends in the Periodic Table

4.8 Periodicity of atomic properties

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Lewis Dot structures and Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR)

Chapter

Lecture 1: Introduction to atomic bonding

5.1 Fundamentals of bonding
5.2 Ionic Bonding


Lecture 2: Lewis Structures

5.3 Lewis Structures


Lecture 3: Fundamentals of VSEPR

5.4 VSEPR theory

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Item 2, Online Quiz (1) due: 5:00 PM (AEST) Friday 24 March 2023
Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Valence Bond Theory

Chapter

Lecture 1: Properties of covalent bonds

5.5 Properties of Covalent Bonds

Lecture 2: Valence Bond Theory

5.6 Valence Bond Theory


Lecture 3: Worked examples of VSEPR and VBT

(no specific readings)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Molecular Orbital Theory


Chapter

Lecture 1: Molecular orbital theory - homonuclear diatomic molecules - s orbital overlap

5.7 Molecular orbital theory: diatomic molecules - to end of Molecular orbitals of H2

Lecture 2: Molecular orbital theory - homonuclear diatomic molecules - p orbital overlap

5.7 Molecular orbital theory: diatomic molecules -  Molecular orbitals of O2

Lecture 3: Heteronuclear diatomic molecules

5.7 Molecular orbital theory: Heteronuclear diatomic molecules

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Liquids and solids

Chapter

Lecture 1: Intermolecular Forces

6.8 Intermolecular forces

Lecture 2: Macroscopic properties of liquids and solids

7.1 Liquids
7.2 Solids

Lecture 3: Phase changes and phase diagrams

7.3 Phase changes
7.4 Order in solids

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Item 1, Written Assessment (Task A) due: 5:00 PM (AEST) Friday 21 April 2023

Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Solutions and solubilities

Chapter

Lecture 1: Nomenclature of inorganic compounds

2.3 Nomenclature (up to and not including naming organic compounds)

Lecture 2: Solubility and solubility product

10.1 Introduction to solutions and solubility
10.4 Carry out calculations involving slightly soluble salts

Lecture 3: Colligative properties

10.5 Quantify the effects that arise in solutions as a result of colligative properties.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2023

Module/Topic

Gases

Chapter

Lecture 1: Gas behaviour

6.1 The states of matter
6.2 Describing gases


Lecture 2: Properties of gas mixtures

6.4 Gas mixtures


Lecture 3: Applying the Ideal Gas Equation

6.5 Applications of the Ideal Gas equation
6.6 Gas Stoichiometry

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2023

Module/Topic

Polymers

Chapter

Lecture 1: Introduction to polymers

26.1 The architecture of polymers
26.2 Use correct notation and nomenclature to describe polymers


Lecture 2: Condensation polymers

26.3 Formation of polymers (only condensation or step-growth polymers)


Lecture 3: Addition polymers

26.3 Formation of polymers (only addition or chain-growth polymers)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Item 2, Online Quiz (2) due: 5:00 PM (AEST) Friday 12 May 2023

Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2023

Module/Topic

Chemistry in the Environment

Chapter

No readings from the text.

See eReading list on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2023

Module/Topic

Nuclear Chemistry

Chapter

Lecture 1: Nuclear stability and decay

27.1 Nuclear stability
27.2 Unstable nuclei

Lecture 2: Formation of new elements - dating methods

27.3 Synthesis of new elements
27.4 Radioactive dating methods

Lecture 3: Applications of nuclear processes

27.5 Applications of nuclear processes

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Item 1, Written Assessment (Task B) due: 5:00 PM (AEST) Friday 26 May 2023

Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2023

Module/Topic

Review

Chapter

All unit content

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Item 2, Online Quiz (3) due: 5:00 PM (AEST) Friday 2 June 2023

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

All the lectures and tutorials will be recorded and posted online.

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment - Bonding Theories, Colligative Properties, Chemistry in the Environment, Polymers

Task Description

There will be two components to this written assessment, Task A and Task B.

Task A

This task will require you to

  • Explain bonding in a molecule using bonding theories covered in the unit
  • Show any calculations
  • Clearly draw the molecule bonding according to the relevant theory used

A task document and any additional detail and instructions will be provided via the Unit Moodle site.

Task B

This task will require you to

  • Explain the nature of colligative properties and perform relevant calculations
  • Discuss polymer formation
  • Discuss reactions in the environment

A task document and any additional detail and instructions will be provided via the Unit Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Task A of this assessment is due 5:00 PM (AEST), Friday 21 April (End of week 6). Task B of this assessment is due 5:00 PM (AEST), Friday 26 May (End of week 11).


Return Date to Students

Part A of this assessment will be returned by end of week 8. Part B will be returned by during Review/Exam Week.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Marks for each question will be awarded as indicated on the Assessment Item 2, Task A and B documents, provided on Moodle.

Marks will be awarded for

  • Application and explanation of relevant bonding theories
  • Relevance and clarity of diagrams
  • Clarity of explanations
  • Demonstrated understanding of the nature of colligative properties
  • Demonstrated understanding of the composition and synthesis of organic polymers
  • Accurate, informed discussion of important reactions in the environment
  • Correct calculations and use of significant figures and units

Note: all working must be shown


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
A word document should be uploaded via the Moodle assessment submission function.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply bonding theories to explain the shape, polarity and bonding that occurs in and between molecules
  • Describe the composition and synthesis of organic polymers
  • Describe the nature of colligative properties
  • Discuss important reactions in the environment.


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

2 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quizzes - Atomic Structure, Gases, Nuclear Chemistry

Task Description

This assessment is comprised of three (3) online quizzes which will assess your understanding of topics presented in this unit. This assessment requires you to apply concepts to answer a series of multiple choice questions. All questions in each quiz are of equal value.

The three online quizzes will contribute a total of 30% of the assessment for this unit, each quiz contributing 10%.
Quiz 1 will cover Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, Electronic Configurations,
Quiz 2 will cover Gases,
Quiz 3 will cover Nuclear Chemistry

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


Number of Quizzes

3


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

The quizzes will be due at 5:00 PM (AEST) on the Friday at the end of Weeks 3, 9 and 12.


Return Date to Students

Quiz results will be released after the completion of each attempt.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

All questions are of equal weighting. One mark will be awarded for each correct response.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

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

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe the structure of the atom and its sub-atomic particles and relate this to the trends observed in the Periodic Table
  • Apply chemical laws to explain chemical reactions and gas behaviour
  • Describe types of nuclear radiation and perform half life calculations


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

3 Online Test

Assessment Title
(2-hour) Online Test - End of Term Assessment

Task Description

This assessment will be comprised of higher-order multiple-choice questions that address the learning objectives of this unit.

The assessment will be conducted online, through the Moodle Quiz facility and will be timed. You will have 2 hours to complete the assessment within the allocated 24-hour testing period (during the University's standard exam period) at the end of the term.

A scientific calculator and Periodic Table may be required for some questions.

Please ensure you have a good, stable internet connection during the assessment period.

More information on this assessment task will be made available on Moodle.


Assessment Due Date

You will have 2 hours to complete the assessment within the allocated 24-hour testing period at the end of the term (during the university's standard exam period). The exact date will be advised on Moodle.


Return Date to Students

Marks will be returned within 7 days of the Online Test being completed


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

All questions will be of equal weighting. Marks will be awarded for each correct response.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The assessment will be conducted online, through the Moodle Quiz facility and will be timed. You will have 2 hours to complete the assessment within the allocated 24-hour testing period at the end of the term.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe the structure of the atom and its sub-atomic particles and relate this to the trends observed in the Periodic Table
  • Apply bonding theories to explain the shape, polarity and bonding that occurs in and between molecules
  • Describe the composition and synthesis of organic polymers
  • Describe the nature of colligative properties
  • Apply chemical laws to explain chemical reactions and gas behaviour
  • Describe types of nuclear radiation and perform half life calculations


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking

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?