CHEM 3560 - Molecular Structure Determination III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2016

Chemical structure determination techniques underpin much of the work carried out in research, analytical, and industrial laboratories. This course provides the student with an in-depth understanding of the most significant molecular structure determination techniques, including X-ray crystallography, X-ray spectroscopy, electron and scanning probe microscopy (scanning and transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy, and Kelvin probe force microscopy), advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, advanced electronic and vibrational spectroscopy including Raman and circular dichroism spectroscopy, and biological structure determination by mass spectrometry. Hands-on practical experience with these techniques is emphasised, through extensive workshop and laboratory activities.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHEM 3560
    Course Molecular Structure Determination III
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 12 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites CHEM 2510 and CHEM 2520
    Corequisites CHEM 3111 or equivalent
    Course Description Chemical structure determination techniques underpin much of the work carried out in research, analytical, and industrial laboratories. This course provides the student with an in-depth understanding of the most significant molecular structure determination techniques, including X-ray crystallography, X-ray spectroscopy, electron and scanning probe microscopy (scanning and transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy, and Kelvin probe force microscopy), advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, advanced electronic and vibrational spectroscopy including Raman and circular dichroism spectroscopy, and biological structure determination by mass spectrometry. Hands-on practical experience with these techniques is emphasised, through extensive workshop and laboratory activities.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor David Huang

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Describe and explain the physical and chemical principles that underlie molecular structure determination techniques such as X-ray and spectroscopy, electron and scanning probe microscopy, NMR and EPR spectroscopy, electronic and vibrational spectroscopy, and mass  spectrometry.
    2 Apply knowledge of molecular structure determination techniques to identify and/or characterise chemical compounds from experimental data.
    3 Devise solutions to chemical structure determination problems by integrating information from a variety of techniques.
    4 Assess the appropriateness of different structure determination techniques for solving particular structure determination problems.
    5 Critically analyse the application of molecular structure determination techniques in research journal articles and effectively communicate these findings in oral presentations.
    6 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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-6
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2-6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    5-6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    5-6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    5-6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There is no prescribed text for this course.
    Recommended Resources
    Maths Resources

    The Maths Learning Centre (MLC) helps all students learn and use the maths they need at uni. The MLC offers seminars, workshops, online, and print resources.  It also run a drop-in room in Hub Central from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday during teaching weeks. For more information, visit http://www.adelaide.edu.au/mathslearning/

    For chemistry-specific maths help, visit http://www.adelaide.edu.au/mathslearning/resources/chem/
    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

    This course will be delivered by the following means:

    · Lectures 24 x 2-hour sessions with 2 sessions per week

    · Workshops 12 x 3-hour sessions with 1 session per week

    · Practicals 6 x 6-hour sessions with 1 session per fortnight

    · Presentations 2 x 5-hour sessions during the semester

     

    Workload

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

    A student enrolled in a 6 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 24 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

    Lectures

    Lectures will be used to convey the theoretical basis of the molecular structure determination techniques that will be explored in the workshops and practicals.



    Workshops

    Workshops will be used to reinforce the concepts introduced in lectures through a combination of quantitative problem solving, a discussion of the operational principles, including the strengths and weaknesses of various structure determination methods, and consideration of appropriate possible solutions to chemical structure determination problems.



    Practicals
    Practical exercises will provide students with “hands on” experience in the quantitative use of various analytical methods. In addition, students will be involved in the analysis of “real world” chemical samples.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Attendance is compulsory at all scheduled chemistry practical sessions. The learning outcomes for this course are substantially dependent on laboratory experience and practice. Therefore, missing any practical class in a semester will result in a grade of FAIL being recorded for the course.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Each of the 12 weekly workshops will be led by an experienced academic and will involve the students working in small groups of 2−4 to solve molecular structure determination problems using primary data provided by the academic. The workshop activities will require students to engage actively with the course material to arrive at solutions to complex chemical structure problems in a process that mirrors the process of discovery in research.
  • 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 Approximate Timing of Assessment
    Workshop/practical assignments Formative & Summative 48% No 1 –4, 6 Every two weeks
    Presentations Summative 10% No 5 Weeks 6 and 12
    Examination Summative 42% Yes 1–4 End-of-semester examination period
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Assessment Item with hurdle Assessment Item with hurdle Is additional assessment available if student does not meet hurdle requirement? Yes or No Details of additional assessment, if available
    Examination 45% Yes Additional exam during University R/AA period
    Assessment Detail
    Workshop/practical assignments (48%)

    Students will complete 2 workshop sessions and 1 practical session for each of the 6 modules in the course. For each module, they will complete an assignment in which they discuss the results of experiments carried out in the practical session and data analysis undertaken in the workshop sessions, as well as answer specific questions related to the techniques used in the workshops and practical. Each assignment will be 8% of the course grade. Practicals are compulsory and students must attend all practicals.  If students do not meet the attendance requirement for practicals they will receive a Fail Grade. There is the opportunity for students to make up missed practicals. 


    Presentations (10%)

    Each student will give two 10-minute oral presentations (plus 3 minutes for questions) in which the student will be required to critically analyse the application of a molecular structure determination technique in a research journal article. The two presentations must be on two distinct techniques covered in the course. 


    Examination (42%)

    The final examination will examine all components of the course. It will consist of multiple-choice, short-answer and long-answer questions. Students must achieve a minimum overall mark of 45% for the examination component to pass the course.
    Submission
    Late Submission

    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 the assignment 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 late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.
    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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