CHEM 2512 - Chemistry IIA (Ecochemistry)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

Studies in Chemistry at Level II deal with a range of fundamental concepts that can be used to explain various phenomena in chemistry, biology and materials science. The courses have been designed to provide students who have an interest in chemistry with the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake further studies in chemistry or pursue alternative pathways in the biological, environmental, earth and physical sciences. Chemistry IIA (Ecochemistry) focuses on chemical reactivity and illustrates how reactions occur and how structure influences the properties of molecules. The examples used to illustrate these points draw on expertise in the areas of stereochemistry, synthesis, properties and reactions of molecules, thermodynamics, kinetics and the principles of metal ligand chemistry.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHEM 2512
    Course Chemistry IIA (Ecochemistry)
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 7.5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites CHEM 1100 & CHEM 1200 or CHEM 1101, CHEM 1201 & CHEM 1312
    Incompatible CHEM 2510, CHEM 2514, CHEM 2516
    Restrictions Available to B Sc (Ecochemistry) students only
    Course Description Studies in Chemistry at Level II deal with a range of fundamental concepts that can be used to explain various phenomena in chemistry, biology and materials science. The courses have been designed to provide students who have an interest in chemistry with the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake further studies in chemistry or pursue alternative pathways in the biological, environmental, earth and physical sciences.
    Chemistry IIA (Ecochemistry) focuses on chemical reactivity and illustrates how reactions occur and how structure influences the properties of molecules. The examples used to illustrate these points draw on expertise in the areas of stereochemistry, synthesis, properties and reactions of molecules, thermodynamics, kinetics and the principles of metal ligand chemistry.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Tak Kee

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On completion of this course, students should be able to:

    1. explain chemical reactivity on the basis of structure and electronic arguments;
    2. predict likely chemical reactivity based on the chemical functionality, metal oxidation state or electronic nature of a molecule, be it organic or inorganic in nature;
    3. describe the underlying principles of chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics and kinetics, and be able to clearly communicate the link between these quantitative means of characterising chemical reactions;
    4. define chemical structure in terms of isomerism and stereoisomerism, and apply stereochemical considerations to aspects of organic and inorganic reactivity;
    5. provide a broad description of metal ligand interactions for metallic elements across the periodic table and have a firm understanding of how these elements interact with molecules containing the lighter main group elements of the p-block, with particular emphasis on so-called metal-ligand interactions;
    6. design, conduct, analyse and interpret results of an experiment, and effectively communicate these in written reports.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-6
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1,2,3
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2,5,6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 6
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 6
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-5
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1-6
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    ‘Pushing Electrons’ (Weeks, 3rd Edition, Harcourt College Publishers, 1998)
    Recommended Resources
    • ‘Organic Chemistry’ (Bruice, 5th Edition, Pearson Education, 2007)
    • ‘Organic Chemistry’ (Clayden, Greeves, Warren and Wothers, Oxford University Press, 2000)
    • ‘Modern Physical Organic Chemistry’ (Anslyn and Dougherty, University Science Books, 2005)
    • ‘Inorganic Chemistry’ (Shriver & Atkins, 4th Edition, Oxford University Press, 2006)
    • ‘Physical Chemistry’ (Atkins, 8th Edition, Oxford University Press, 2006)
    • ‘Physical Chemistry’ (Tinoco, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2002)

    All the above are available for purchase from UniBooks or for loan from the Barr Smith library. Some are also available for consultation in the Chemistry Resource Centre (Rm 120, Johnson Laboratories)

    Online Learning
    MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    • Lectures 36 x 50-minute sessions with three sessions per week
    • Tutorials 12 x 50-minute sessions with one session per week
    • Practicals 9 x 5-hour sessions (including the lab familiarisation session
    • Specialist Tutorials 5 x 1-hour sessions
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

    Learning Activities Summary

    The course content includes the following:

    Coursework Content

    • Synthetic Chemistry I - Chemistry of the Carbonyl Group (25%)

    This section of the course will examine the reactivity of the carbonyl group, with the emphasis on aldehydes, ketones, imines, esters, amides and carboxylic acids. A mechanistic approach to the reactions of these compounds will be undertaken. Applications to the synthesis of molecules will be a feature, as will applications of this chemistry to the biological and material sciences.

    • Metal-Ligand Chemistry (25%)

    This section of the course will discuss the chemistry of metal-ligand complexes, with key topics including acids and bases, main group organometallic compounds, bonding in coordination chemistry, reactions, kinetics and mechanisms, homogeneous catalysis

    • Thermodynamics and Kinetics (25%)

    Thermodynamics - enthalpy (reprise); entropy; free energy; chemical potential; applications [reverse osmosis, dialysis, osmometry (polymer MW distribution)].

    Kinetics - introduction to kinetics, first order reactions, second order reactions, applications

    • Stereochemistry (25%)

    This section of the course will extend the concepts of chirality encountered at Level I, then examine the three-dimensional shape of molecules. Conformation will be an important feature, with the emphasis on the effect that this can have on reactivity. Substitution and elimination reactions will be used to illustrate these concepts.

    Practicals There will be 8 sessions from Weeks 2 – 11. The 3-hour session in Week 1 is devoted to analytical techniques, data acquisition and data handling with a variety of software. The remaining sessions will be divided equally between synthetic chemistry, which will introduce the student to a variety of techniques to prepare chemicals in a safe manner, and measurement and analysis, which will introduce the student to techniques for studying and quantifying chemical processes.

    Tutorials The tutorials are formative in nature. These sessions will be held weekly and will provide the student with the opportunity to answer and discuss material from the lecture content. In addition, there are 4 summative tasks/assignments which will be used to assess the comprehension of the student on the material. The assignments have been designed to resemble what would be asked in the final examination.

    Specialist Tutorials These tutorials will be held for six weeks. The tutorials will cover a range of topics that will provide insight into the issues relevant to the named degrees.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment task Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes # Hurdle Yes or No # Outcomes being assessed/achieved
    Assignments Summative 10% No 1 – 6
    Safety Assignment Summative 5% No 6
    Practical Reports Formative & Summative 20% Yes (60%) 1 – 6
    Specialist Tutorials Presentation Formative & Summative 5% No 1 – 5
    Exam Summative 60% Yes (45%) 1 – 6
    Assessment Related Requirements

    Practical work is compulsory – This includes conduct of required experimental work, attendance at demonstrator interviews (as required) and submission of the laboratory reports.

    To pass this course students must:

    • Attain a minimum of 60% for the practical reports:
      • Students who do not attain this minimum requirement will not be offered an additional assessment.
    • Attain a minimum of 45% for the exam:
      • Students who attain a final course grade of at least 45% but do not attain a minimum of 45% for the exam may be offered an Additional Academic Exam during the Replacement/Additional Assessment period, in line with the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
    Assessment Detail

    Assignments 10% - This assessment activity specifically covers lecture course content and is designed to encourage students to engage with the subject matter through semester (4 short-answer assignments). The assignments are supported and enhanced by students’ participation in tutorials.

    Safety Assignment 5% - This short-answer assessment activity addresses the safety aspects in the chemical laboratories. There are 9 questions covering the topics of hazardous substance, hazard classifications, health hazard classification, material safety data sheets, EC/Hazard symbols, The Dangerous Goods Act, the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road or Rail (ADG Code), Dangerous Goods Classes , Packaging Groups (PG), exposure standard, LC50, LD50.

    Practical Reports 20% - This assessment activity comprehensively addresses the practical aspects of chemistry and competent training in the techniques employed in chemical laboratories (8 short, hand-written practical reports submitted in class).

    Specialist Tutorials Presentation 5% - This assessment activity covers the specialist tutorial topics in which students are required to give a 10 minute presentation in pairs (5 minutes per student). Each pair is assigned a topic covered specifically in the specialist tutorials and provided with some background material and a research paper to study in class. Students are required to do a presentation to outline their understanding of the topic and present it to the class. The requirements and marking scheme for the presentation are provided to students at the start of the semester.

    Final exam 60% - This assessment activity comprehensively addresses the learning outcomes

    Submission

    Submission of Assigned Work Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Coversheets can be obtained from the School Office (room G33 Physics) or from MyUni. Work should be submitted via the assignment drop box at the School Office.

    Extensions for Assessment Tasks Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from: http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/current/

    Late submission of assessments If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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