CQUniversity Unit Profile
CHEM40079 Introductory Chemistry
Introductory Chemistry
All details in this unit profile for CHEM40079 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

Introductory Chemistry will provide you with a foundation for university study in the chemical sciences. This unit will provide fundamental principles of chemistry by introducing topics such as matter, molecules, bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, acids and bases, and organic chemistry. In addition to gaining an introductory understanding of chemical concepts, you will learn to perform chemical calculations.

Details

Career Level: Non-award
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 - 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 Non-award 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: 20%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Written Assessment
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 Students

Feedback

Some of the video resources need to be updated.

Recommendation

Continue to improve the video resources that are yet to be updated.

Feedback from Unit Coordinators

Feedback

Low participation in Zoom sessions.

Recommendation

Continue to promote the Zoom sessions so that students can make good use of the time for questions and answers.

Feedback from Students

Feedback

Zoom support sessions are helpful, as are recorded lectures.

Recommendation

Maintain Zoom support for students, and continue to record weekly lectures and make them available via the Moodle site.

Feedback from Students

Feedback

Misalignment of some video resources with relevant textbook sections.

Recommendation

Rearrange the videos for each week in Moodle so that they more clearly align with the topics in the textbook.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain fundamental chemical concepts including matter, atomic structure, molecules, bonding, physical and chemical properties, stoichiometry, acids and bases, chemical reactions and organic compounds
  2. Interpret the periodic table of the elements
  3. Apply chemical concepts and calculations of quantities to solve chemistry problems.
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
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Written Assessment - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Self Management
2 - Communication
3 - Information Literacy
4 - Information Technology Competence
5 - Problem Solving
6 - Critical Thinking
7 - Cross-Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical Practice
9 - 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
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Written Assessment - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Introductory Chemistry

Edition: Third (2022)
Authors: School of Access Education
CQUniversity Publishing Unit
Rockhampton Rockhampton , Queensland , Australia
Binding: Spiral

Additional Textbook Information

A current printable version of the study guide can be found on the CHEM40079 Moodle site. The study guide is not available for purchase from the CQUniversity Bookshop, so it is strongly recommended that you print your own copy. Your Access Coordinator will provide advice on printing options.

Please note that the study guide also contains pictures and sections of text in colour which will not be shown in black and white prints. It is strongly advised that a digital version be saved to view these sections in colour.

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 style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Flavia Santamaria Unit Coordinator
f.santamaria@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

Module 1: Matter

Chapter

1

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete Week 1 practice quiz

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

Module 2: Atoms and the periodic table

Chapter

2

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete week 2 practice quiz

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

Module 3: Molecules and ions

Chapter

3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 (Online Quiz) available this week

Complete week 3 practice quiz

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

Module 4: Ionic and covalent compounds

Chapter

4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete Week 4 practice quiz


Assessment 1 (Online Quiz) Due: Week 4 Thursday (30 Nov 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 04 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

Study week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Revision of topics 

Week 5 Begin Date: 11 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

Module 5: Chemical reactions

Chapter

5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete Week 5 practice quiz

 

Week 6 Begin Date: 18 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

Module 6: Redox reactions

Chapter

6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete Week 6 practice quiz

 

Vacation Week Begin Date: 25 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

Study week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Revision of topics 

Week 7 Begin Date: 01 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Module 7. The mole

Chapter

7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Download Assessment 2

Complete Week 7 practice quiz

Week 8 Begin Date: 08 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Module 8: Concentration and molarity

Chapter

8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete Week 8 practice quiz


Assessment 2 Due: Week 8 Thursday (11 Jan 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 15 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Module 9. Reactions and calculations

Chapter

9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete Week 9 practice quiz

Week 10 Begin Date: 22 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Module 10. Acids and bases

Chapter

10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete Week 10 practice quiz

Week 11 Begin Date: 29 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Module 11. Organic chemistry

Chapter

11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Download Assessment 3

Complete Week 11 practice quiz


Assessment 3 Due: Week 11 Thursday (1 Feb 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 05 Feb 2024

Module/Topic

Module 12. Chemical equilibrium

Chapter

12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Feb 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

For any assistance and to organise one-on-one or group Zoom sessions please contact:

Unit Coordinator and Lecturer Dr Flavia Santamaria

Email: f.santamaria@cqu.edu.au

Ph: (07) 4930 6978

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Assessment 1 (Online Quiz)

Task Description

Assessment 1 (Online Quiz) is available on the CHEM40079 Moodle site. It is worth 20% of the overall mark. The quiz covers material from Modules 1, 2 and 3. Marks will be awarded for the correct response to multiple choice and short answer questions. Once you start the Quiz, you have 2.5 hours to complete the 30 questions.

Please note the following requirements and advice:

  • Follow the instructions provided throughout the quiz.
  • The resources provided on the CHEM40079 Moodle site contain all the relevant material (content, examples and practice quizzes) required to complete the assessment. All working, including the development of answers, must be shown.
  • Use formulas and display your answers as they are shown in the study guide and throughout the material provided on this Moodle site.
  • Sourcing answers and/or formulas from the internet or anywhere other than the unit material on this Moodle site and/or checking your answers with anyone including artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots contravenes the Academic Integrity Policy. Moreover, the information from some sites may be unreliable or not as specific as is required for this assessment.
  • Use your own words (paraphrase) the information found in the Study Guide rather than copying it word for word. Conveying the information in your own words will demonstrate your understanding of topics.
  • Use logical explanations and problem-solving.
  • We will check to ensure that you are awarded marks for all your correct answers (Moodle can only recognise answers that match exactly those provided in the system).


Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Week 4 Thursday (30 Nov 2023) 11:59 pm AEST

This quiz closes at 11:59 pm. Ensure you complete and submit the quiz by this time. After this time, the quiz will only be available to students with an extension.


Return Date to Students

Week 5 Thursday (14 Dec 2023)

This assessment will be returned within two weeks of the assessment due date or received date, whichever is later.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

Marks will be awarded for the correct response to multiple choice and short answer questions. Responses are scored based on:

  • correct use of science conventions
  • correct use of terminology
  • application of foundation concepts to the question asked
  • logic of explanations and problem-solving
  • calculations which include chemical formulas, units and appropriate subscripts and superscripts.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain fundamental chemical concepts including matter, atomic structure, molecules, bonding, physical and chemical properties, stoichiometry, acids and bases, chemical reactions and organic compounds
  • Interpret the periodic table of the elements


Graduate Attributes
  • Self Management
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 2

Task Description

Assessment 2 is available on the CHEM40079 Moodle site. It is a compulsory written assessment that covers material from Modules 4, 5, 6 and 7, in addition to fundamental concepts covered in earlier modules. The assessment comprises various question types that require handwritten responses. Depending on the question, you may be required to do one or more of the following:

  • perform calculations, providing units where relevant
  • balance equations including states of matter
  • present information graphically
  • use examples and diagrams to support your answer
  • write chemical formulas using appropriate subscripts and superscripts.

Please note the following requirements and advice:

  • Use formulas and display your answers as they are shown in the study guide and throughout the material provided on the Moodle site.
  • All working, including the development of answers, must be shown.
  • For Chemistry assessments, sourcing answers and/or formulas from the internet or anywhere other than the unit material on the Moodle site and/or checking your answers with anyone, including artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, contravenes the Academic Integrity Policy. Moreover, the information from some sites may be unreliable or not as specific as is required for this assessment.
  • Use your own words (paraphrase) the information found in the Study Guide rather than copying it word for word. Conveying the information in your own words will demonstrate your understanding of topics.


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Thursday (11 Jan 2024) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Thursday (25 Jan 2024)

This assessment will be returned within two weeks of the assessment due date or received date, whichever is later.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Marks are allocated for the following:

  • appropriate setting of the solution
  • correct sequence of steps
  • relevant use of examples and diagrams
  • accurate use of units, equations and formulas.

The number of marks allocated to each question is detailed in the assessment task on Moodle. Answers to all questions must be handwritten on the assessment task sheets, using additional paper if extra space is required, and clearly presented with full working provided in order to obtain the maximum allocation of marks.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Assessment 2 is to be uploaded as a single pdf document through the CHEM40079 Moodle site.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain fundamental chemical concepts including matter, atomic structure, molecules, bonding, physical and chemical properties, stoichiometry, acids and bases, chemical reactions and organic compounds
  • Interpret the periodic table of the elements


Graduate Attributes
  • Self Management
  • Communication
  • Information Literacy

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 3

Task Description

Assessment 3 is available via the CHEM40079 Moodle site. It is a compulsory written assessment that covers material from Modules 8, 9, 10 and 11, in addition to fundamental concepts covered in earlier modules. The assessment comprises various question types that require handwritten responses. Depending on the question, you may be required to do one or more of the following:

  • choose the correct response from multiple-choice questions
  • perform simple or multi-step calculations, providing and using appropriate formulas and units where relevant
  • analyse primary and secondary data to determine solutions
  • provide short or extended answer responses using examples and diagrams to support your answer
  • present information in the correct chemical format (i.e. use subscripts and superscripts, and balance equations, including states of matter).

Please note the following requirements and advice:

  • Use formulas and display your answers as they are shown in the study guide and throughout the material provided on the Moodle site.
  • All working, including the development of answers, must be shown.
  • For Chemistry assessments, sourcing answers and/or formulas from the internet or anywhere other than the unit material on the Moodle site and/or checking your answers with anyone including artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots contravenes the Academic Integrity Policy. Moreover, the information from some sites may be unreliable or not as specific as is required for this assessment.
  • Use your own words (paraphrase) the information found in the Study Guide rather than copying it word for word. Conveying the information in your own words will demonstrate your understanding of topics.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Thursday (1 Feb 2024) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Thursday (15 Feb 2024)

This assessment will be returned within two weeks of the assessment due date or received date, whichever is later.


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
To pass this unit, you must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for this assessment.

Assessment Criteria

Marks are allocated for the following:

  • appropriate setting of the solution
  • correct sequence of steps
  • relevant use of examples and diagrams
  • accurate use of units, equations and formulas.

The number of marks allocated to each question is detailed in the assessment task on Moodle. Answers to all questions must be handwritten on the assessment task sheets, using additional paper if extra space is required, and clearly presented with full working provided in order to obtain the maximum allocation of marks.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Assessment 3 is to be uploaded as a single pdf document through the CHEM40079 Moodle site.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain fundamental chemical concepts including matter, atomic structure, molecules, bonding, physical and chemical properties, stoichiometry, acids and bases, chemical reactions and organic compounds
  • Apply chemical concepts and calculations of quantities to solve chemistry problems.


Graduate Attributes
  • Self Management
  • Communication
  • Information Literacy
  • Problem Solving

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?