CHEM ENG 3036 - Unit Operations Laboratory

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025

The course is to provide practical and theoretical experience in a number of important chemical/pharmaceutical engineering unit operations ensuring a thorough understanding of the principles of unit operation and material selection. The course includes experimental design and development, experimental execution, data analysis and error analysis, skills development in oral presentation, technical report writing, and team-building. The experiments are designed to illustrate the principles of fluid and particle mechanics, separation processes, heat transfer, microbial growth, protein separation, and chemical reactor engineering. Safe operating procedures and risk assessments for laboratory scale unit operations will be developed. Lectures in the course will cover experimental error analysis, process safety and the provision of utilities in chemical plants.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHEM ENG 3036
    Course Unit Operations Laboratory
    Coordinating Unit Chemical Engineering
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4.5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites CHEM ENG 2011, CHEM ENG 2014, CHEM ENG 2018, CHEM ENG 3034
    Corequisites CHEM ENG 3033
    Incompatible CHEM ENG 3023, CHEM ENG 3026
    Assessment Laboratory performance and preparation; major project reports, exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Thomas Scott

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

     
    1 Demonstrate skills in safe operation of laboratory equipment;
    2 Analyse experimental data and observed phenomena;
    3 Communicate experimental findings through formal written reports in high quality, and communicate with other team members;
    4 Further understand the engineering principles of each unit operation; and
    5 Work as part of a team in a mature and professional manner.

     
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Entry to Practice Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer. The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):  
     
    1.11.21.31.41.51.62.12.22.32.43.13.23.33.43.53.6
    B C C A A A B A C C C C C C C
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1-5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1-5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1-5
  • Learning Resources
    Online Learning
    A range of online resources will be provided via MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The activities for this course include the following:

    Online theory lectures

    To be viewed before attending the in-class workshops

    In-class workshops

    Brief review of the theory in the online lectures and then problem solving as a class

    Laboratory practicals

    Complete six practicals throughout the semester in groups of three, taking turns as the practical leader.
    The leader will write a preliminary report that will be submitted 24 hours prior to the practical.
    The leader will write a full laboratory report detailing the relevant theory, methods, results and outcomes of the practical session.

    Assignments

    To be completed in your own time on the topics covered in the online theory lectures and in-class workshops
    Workload

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

    Activity Contact Hours Workload Hours
    Workshops 8 20
    Laboratory projects 24 36
    Project reports 0 60
    Assignments 0 8
    TOTAL 32 124
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topic 1: Chemical Reactor Engineering
    ·    Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors in Series
    ·    Indirect Measurement of Rate    

    Topic 2: Heat Transfer
    ·    Natural Convective Heat Transfer
    ·    Transient Forced Convection

    Topic 3: Separation Processes
    ·    Batch Distillation
    ·    Gas Absorption

    Topic 4: Fluid Mechanics
    ·    Gas-Liquid Flow 
    ·    Packed Column

    Topic 5: Fluid & Particle Mechanics
    ·    Fluidisation
    ·    Filtration 

  • 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 Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    Due (week)*
    Learning outcomes
    2 Assignments 5% Each Individual Formative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
    2 Preliminary reports 10% Each Individual Formative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
    2 Major reports 25% / 35% Individual Summative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
    2 Practical Assessments 5% Each Individual Summative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
     
    This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.
    Assessment Detail
    In this course the following assessments will be completed:

    Assignments (individual) - two assignments based on the topics covered in the in-class workshops and online lectures

    Preliminary laboratory report (individual) - two reports submitted prior to leading a practical session, based on the practical to be completed. Covers relevant theory and the methods to be used.

    Major laboratory report (individual) - two reports to be submitted two weeks after leading a practical session. Covers the relevant theory, methods used, results and outcomes of the practical completed.

    Practical assessment (individual) - two in-class assessments of your ability to lead a practical session and complete the practical in a safe manner.

    Submission
    Assignments, preliminary laboratory reports and major laboratory reports to be submitted online via MyUni. 
    Practical assessment to be completed by a demonstrator during the laboratory session.
    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

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