CHEM 2550 - Physical and Inorganic Chemistry II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

Physical chemistry focusses on rigorous description of the properties of molecules and the vital processes involved in chemical change, while inorganic chemistry primarily aims at understanding how metallic elements interact with other compounds. The two areas are heavily intertwined and hence taught together in this course, using examples connecting the fundamental components to real life applications across the physical and natural world. The course is designed for students majoring in chemistry but is also suitable for those focussing in biological, medical, environmental, engineering or material sciences. A theory component that extends material from first year is coupled to a vital laboratory practical experience with a strong focus on developing skills to fully characterise and rationalise the physical and chemical properties of molecules and to understand how these aspects impact their reactivity.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHEM 2550
    Course Physical and Inorganic Chemistry II
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    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 or CHEM 1310 and CHEM 1200 or CHEM 1311 or CHEM 1101 and CHEM 1201 and CHEM 1312
    Incompatible CHEM 2510, CHEM 2520
    Assessment Exam, Practical work, assignments
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Jonathan George

    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 provide a firm understanding of how metals interact with molecules containing the lighter elements of the p-block; understand how symmetry arguments allow a rational understanding of bonding in complex molecules
    2 use quantum models to elucidate molecular motions; 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
    3 as part of a team or individually, design, conduct, analyse and interpret results of an experiment, and effectively communicate these in
    written reports and other formats
    4 predict likely spectral characteristics of given molecular species, and be able to rationalise those characteristics on the basis of structural and electronic arguments
    5 gain an understanding and appreciation for how fundamental physical and inorganic chemistry impacts on life, environmental and industrial processes
    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.

    1,2,4

    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.

    1,3,4

    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.

    3,5

    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.

    3,5

    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.

    3,5
  • Learning Resources
    Recommended Resources
    ‘Physical Chemistry’ (Engel and Reid, 3rd Edition, Pearson, 2013)
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course content will be delivered as below:
    •    Lectures 36 x  1 hour  sessions (3 per week)
    •    Tutorials 12 x  1 hour sessions (1 per week)
    •    Practicals 10 x 4 hour sessions (include the lab familiarisations 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

    Applications of Symmetry (9 lectures, 3 tutorials)
    This section of the course will introduce students to symmetry operations and elements, point groups and applications of symmetry (e.g. chirality,polarity, and IR spectroscopy). The material will stress the importance of symmetry considerations in the construction of molecular orbital diagrams, and how these can be used to understand geometric and electronic structures of molecules.
    Metal-Ligand Chemistry (9 lectures, 3 tutorials)
    Building on symmetry content, this part of the course will examine the chemistry of metal-ligand complexes, with key topics including Lewis acids and bases, pi-acceptor ligands, electronic configuration versus molecular geometry, selection rules, and UV-Vis
    spectroscopy.

    Thermodynamics and Kinetics (9 lectures, 3 tutorials)
    Thermodynamics - enthalpy; entropy; free energy; chemical potential; applications [reverse osmosis, dialysis, osmometry].
    Kinetics - introduction to kinetics, first order reactions, second order reactions, applications


    Quantum Phenomena (9 lectures, 3 tutorials)
    Use quantum models such as particle-in-a-box, rigid rotor, and harmonic oscillator, to explain and predict vibrational and rotational energy levels.


    Practicals (10 x 4-hour sessions from Weeks 2 – 11)
    The 4-hour session in the first week is devoted to safe working practices in the chemistry laboratory, with a focus on risk management, chemical risk assessment and lab familiarisation for students who have not completed level II chemistry courses in Semester 1. Three weeks of skills based sessions devoted to experimental design, separation and purification methodologies for inorganic materials, measurement and analysis techniques, data acquisition and data handling with a variety of software will follow. The remaining sessions will introduce the students to a variety of experimental techniques to synthesise inorganic compounds and perform measurements and analysis. In addition, students will learn to use computational methods to
    predict physical properties of atomic and molecular systems.  Training and direction on communicating the results of these investigations in various formats will be provided.


    Specific Course Requirements
    Attendance is compulsory at all scheduled chemistry practical sessions.




  • 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 taskType of assessmentPercentage of total assessment for grading purposesHurdle (Yes/No)Outcomes being assessedApproximate timing of
    assessment

    (week of teaching period)
    Assignments Summative 10% No 1, 2, 4 2-12
    Practical Reports Formative & Summative 30% No 1, 3, 4, 5 2-11
    Exam Summative 60% Yes (45%) 1, 2, 4 Exam Period
    Assessment Related Requirements

    To pass this course, students must attain a minimum of 45% for the examination and satisfactorily complete all practicals. 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.


    Practical work is compulsory – this includes attendance, conduct of required experimental work, attendance at demonstrator interviews (as required) and submission of laboratory reports. The learning outcomes for this course are substantially dependent on laboratory experience and practice. Therefore, failure to satisfactorily complete all practical classes in a semester will result in a grade of FAIL being recorded for the course. Students with medical or compassionate reasons for non-attendance will be given an opportunity to make up missed practical sessions.
    Assessment Detail
    Assignments (10%)
    There will be 4 assignments, each worth 2.5%. Each assignment will consist of a series of short-answer and/or multiple-choice questions. Students will submit the assignments electronically.

    Practical Reports (30%)
    Students will complete 8 practicals during the semester and submit reports for each practical. These reports are important in assessing the students' understanding of the practical and their competency in the skills involved in each practical.

    Final exam (60%)
    The end-of-semester examination will be based primarily on lecture/tutorial material and will consist of a series of short-answer and/or multiple-choice questions.
    Submission
    Submission of Assigned Work:
    Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Instructions on how to submit your work and coversheets will be provide on MyUni.

    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 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.Submission of Assigned Work:  Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Instructions on how to submit your work and coversheets will be provide on MyUni.





    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.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.