This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2016 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

CHM1011 - Chemistry I

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Organisational Unit

Coordinator(s)

Offered

First semester 2016 (Day)

Synopsis

CHM1011 has been designed such that some previous understanding of chemistry is presumed, but is also underpinned by a support structure for those who are relatively new to the subject. The curriculum focuses on general and physical chemistry principles which in turn complements the synthetic chemistry topics discussed in the subsequent unit, CHM1022. On completion of CHM1011, students will have gained an understanding of how atoms and molecules interact with each other and how this affects their bonding, reactivity, 3D structure and physical properties. A number of important topics such as stoichiometry, intermolecular forces, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibria, and electrochemistry will be developed in order to prepare students for a deeper exploration of chemistry. The concepts developed within the workshops and tutorials are complemented through a laboratory program where students will have the opportunity to develop analytical techniques and design their own experiments to solve a range of chemical problems.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

Discuss the features of atomic structure and the construction of the periodic table of elements;

Interpret relationships between electronic structure and bonding;

Explore a wide range of molecular structures and investigate aspects of stereochemistry such as isomerism and chirality;

Distinguish between ideal gases and real gases;

Recognise factors which give rise to polarity and its relationship to intermolecular bonding;

Define the first and second laws of thermodynamics and apply enthalpy and entropy;

Discuss factors which give rise to chemical kinetics;

Apply acid-base chemistry in the understanding of dynamic equilibria;

Foster the acquisition of practical skills by exploiting an inquiry-based approach to the chemistry laboratory experience;

Communicate chemistry, and discuss the social and environmental responsibility of chemists in the global community.

Assessment

Final examination (2 hours): 50%
Laboratory work: 30%
Online assessment: 10%
Tutorials: 10%

To pass this unit a student must achieve a minimum score of 50% in the laboratory practical component and a minimum of 30% for the end-of-semester exam.

Workload requirements

Three 1-hour lectures, one 1-hour tutorial and one 3-hour laboratory per week

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Alison Funston

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Biochemistry
Chemistry
Environmental science
Materials science
Physiology

Prohibitions

CHM1031, CHM1051, ENG1070