CQUniversity Unit Profile
CHEM13082 Nanotechnology: Health and the environment
Nanotechnology: Health and the environment
All details in this unit profile for CHEM13082 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

Nanotechnology and nanoscience are emerging, revolutionary areas of science that will lead to exciting developments in health, medicine, the environment, information technology and engineering (among other industries). In this unit, you will become familiar with existing uses of nanotechnology along with future opportunities in the nanoscience domain. Medical and environmental applications and the development of 'emerging technologies' will be discussed and the technical, environmental and social impacts of these technological advances explored.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

CHEM19085 Environmental Chemistry OR CHEM12077 Food Science and Analysis OR CHEM12079 Inorganic Chemistry OR CHEM12080 Organic Chemistry

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 - 2022

Mixed Mode

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).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

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. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
3. Take Home Exam
Weighting: 30%

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

Feedback

Lectures are very informative.

Recommendation

In 2020, two new topics were included in the readings and lectures: Nanotechnology and Public Health and Nanotechnology and COVID-19. This practice of reviewing the examples and applications to reflect their relevance to the world be continued, as it captures student interest and keeps them engaged.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Discuss the basic principles of nanotechnology and nanoscience
  2. Evaluate and synthesise information drawn from primary literature in the field of nanotechnology
  3. Discuss actual and potential impacts of nanotechnology on society, health and the environment
  4. Design possible solutions to significant societal problems in health, engineering, the environment and medicine using the principles of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Not applicable

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 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40%
3 - Take Home Exam - 30%

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 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40%
3 - Take Home Exam - 30%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

Additional Textbook Information

All reading resources will be made available from peer-reviewed journals.  There is no textbook required to be purchased. 

IT Resources

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

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

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Shaneel Chandra Unit Coordinator
s.chandra@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 07 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Nanotechnology: An Introduction

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 14 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

History of the Nanotechnology Discipline

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 21 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Types of Nanoparticles

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 28 Mar 2022

Module/Topic

Nanotechnology Applications

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 04 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Written Assessment Due: Week 5 Friday (8 Apr 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 11 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 18 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Nanotechnology and Public Health

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 25 Apr 2022

Module/Topic

Nanotechnology and COVID-19

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 02 May 2022

Module/Topic

Nanocomposite-based Sensors for Environmental Applications

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential School (3-4 May)

Week 9 Begin Date: 09 May 2022

Module/Topic

Green Nanomaterials

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 16 May 2022

Module/Topic

Nanoparticles and Ecotoxicological Risks

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Practical and Written Assessment Due: Week 10 Friday (20 May 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 23 May 2022

Module/Topic

Nanotechnology and Health

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 30 May 2022

Module/Topic

Revision

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 06 Jun 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 13 Jun 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment

Task Description

For this Assessment Task, you will write a scientific review paper on a topic that will be allocated to you. The review must be be word-processed, with appropriate layout and use of headings/sub-headings. Tables and figures to illustrate specific aspects may be included with titles and acknowledgement where necessary.  In addition, the word count should not exceed 2000 (excluding references).


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Friday (8 Apr 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

To be submitted via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Friday (29 Apr 2022)

Returned with feedback via Moodle


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Introduction and Background: 25%

Excellent detail to highlight the present scenario.

Very convincing argument provided for undertaking present study


Literature: 20%

Coherent, with excellent merge of literature

All material is sourced externally cited in the correct format

Literature cited is recent (< 5 years), credible, relevant


Organisation: 25%

Well-presented

Well-positioned to reinforce the argument(s)

Correctly labelled

Well-organised such that patterns and themes immediately become obvious


Analysis of the Literature: 20%

Critical examination of literature is evident

Demonstration of new knowledge to produce coherent understanding of the topic


Overall Presentation: 10%

No typos, cohesive and very easy to follow arguments


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
To be submitted via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss the basic principles of nanotechnology and nanoscience
  • Evaluate and synthesise information drawn from primary literature in the field of nanotechnology
  • Discuss actual and potential impacts of nanotechnology on society, health and the environment


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

2 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical and Written Assessment

Task Description

The Assessment Task relates to the compulsory Residential School. At the Residential School, you may work in pairs or groups on experiments.  For the Assessment Task, you will write up an individual scientific report of the experiments and activities undertaken during the Residential School.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (20 May 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

To be submitted via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (3 June 2022)

Returned with feedback via Moodle


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Introduction and Background: 50%

Very convincing justifications for the merits of the experiments.

Literature: 20%

Scientific literature, externally cited in the correct format to justify claims and explanations

Literature cited is recent (< 5 years), credible, relevant

Organisation: 30%

Well-positioned to reinforce the argument(s)

Correctly labelled figures and tables


Overall Presentation: 10%

No typos, cohesive and very easy to follow arguments

Word limit - 2000


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
To be submitted via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate and synthesise information drawn from primary literature in the field of nanotechnology
  • Discuss actual and potential impacts of nanotechnology on society, health and the environment
  • Design possible solutions to significant societal problems in health, engineering, the environment and medicine using the principles of nanoscience and nanotechnology.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Take Home Exam

Assessment Title
Take-home Exam

Task Description

The Take Home Test will contain a mix of short-answer and longer, descriptive-answer questions.  It will cover content from the teaching term, including the Residential School.  The mark allocations per question will be provided on the Assessment,


Assessment Due Date

To be submitted via Moodle


Return Date to Students

Marked scripts will be returned via Moodle


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

The specific details of the Assessment will be provided on Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss the basic principles of nanotechnology and nanoscience


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?