CHEM13080 - Analytical Science

General Information

Unit Synopsis

In this unit, you will apply fundamental principles of analytical science and study analytical techniques, such as quantitative molecular spectrophotometry; atomic spectrometry; chromatographic methods; mass spectrometry; and the use of electrodes. You will interpret analytical data; examine error analysis, data handling and manipulation; and understand quality assurance. During a compulsory residential school, you will apply analytical theory, use advanced analytical instrumentation and enhance your laboratory skills.

Details

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 3
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

CHEM11043 Atoms, Molecules and Matter or CHEM11041 Chemistry for the Life Sciences

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).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School Compulsory Residential School
View Unit Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 2 - 2023

Term 2 - 2023 Profile
Mixed Mode
Term 2 - 2024 Profile
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).

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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Presentation 20%
2. Written Assessment 20%
3. Practical and Written Assessment 20%
4. Online Test 40%

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

Past Exams

To view Past Exams,
please login
Previous Feedback

Term 2 - 2022 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 100.00% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 42.86% response rate.

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.

Source: Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation
Feedback
Students appreciated the additional readings and quizzes that were provided for some of the unit topics.
Recommendation
Consider supplementing more of the unit topics (weekly Moodle tiles) with quizzes and/or other relevant readings.
Action Taken
Supplementary quizzes, readings, and support (e.g., email, phone, Zoom sessions) continued to be provided for unit topics, assessments, and in preparation for the residential school. Unit topics that could be further enhanced were identified by the unit coordinator. Sessional support to prepare supplementary tutorial-style videos for those topics identified, was requested prior to term, however, a sessional staff member was not engaged early enough in the term to be able to carry out the task. The need for this could be revisited prior to future offerings.
Source: Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation
Feedback
Students enjoyed the Residential School and Assessment Tasks.
Recommendation
Continue with a similar format for the Residential School and Assessment Tasks in 2022.
Action Taken
The residential school and assessment tasks followed a similar format to the last offering. The associated resources were further enhanced for the T2 2022 offering.
Source: Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation; Email
Feedback
Some students requested more detailed and timely feedback on Assessment Tasks.
Recommendation
Ensure that Assessment Task feedback contains sufficient detail and is returned within the timeframe specified in the Unit Profile.
Action Taken
All assessments were returned within the timeframe specified in the Unit Profile. Marks were awarded against the assessment criteria in the Unit Profile, and as detailed in each of the assessment task instruction documents. Summary comments and feedback were given for all items. Additional detailed feedback (e.g., word documents with tracked changes) were also provided where appropriate.
Source: Student Unit Teaching Evaluation Comments
Feedback
Students commented that the residential school was very well organised, helpful, and that they learnt a lot from practicing the techniques.
Recommendation
Continue with the same format for the residential school in 2023.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Student Unit Teaching Evaluation Comments
Feedback
One student commented that four assessments is too many and that it was difficult to complete the weekly tasks within 12 hours.
Recommendation
A change to the number of assessment items is not recommended at this stage. The assessments are staggered throughout the term and build on skills required to complete this third-year unit. The assessment items are designed to meet the Unit Learning Outcomes. Students are strongly encouraged to make contact with staff, and to commence work on their assessments, as early as possible in the term. It is recommended that additional support (e.g., zoom sessions) continue to be offered to students, as appropriate.
Action Taken
Nil.
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Explain the theory and applications of contemporary techniques in analytical science
  2. Demonstrate practical laboratory skills in the use of advanced analytical instrumentation to make reliable analytical measurements
  3. Demonstrate problem solving and analytical skills in the fundamentals of analytical science
  4. Research the developments and trends in analytical science for a diverse range of applications.

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Presentation • •
2 - Written Assessment •
3 - Practical and Written Assessment • • •
4 - Online Test • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
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 •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Presentation • • • •
2 - Written Assessment • • • • •
3 - Practical and Written Assessment • • • • • •
4 - Online Test • •