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Unit Summary
Unit type
UG Coursework Unit
Credit points
12
AQF level
Level of learning
Introductory
School/College
Unit aim
Provides an introduction to basic chemical concepts in inorganic and organic chemistry. It includes atomic and molecular theory, bonding, the periodic table, and chemical reactions important in understanding the nature of geological materials, chemical processes in biological systems, water chemistry, and pollution. Laboratory classes complement lecture content, and provide experience in basic practical techniques.
Unit content
- Introduction to chemistry for the non-scientist
- Atomic theory, structure, the periodic table, chemical formula
- Chemical bonding
- Chemical reactions and equation
- Mass, moles, molarity, stoichiometry
- Gases, liquids and solids and their intermolecular forces
- Solutions and concentrations
- Acids, bases, pH, oxidation and reduction
- Inorganic and organic chemistry
- Nuclear chemistry
- Chemistry of the earth
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | GA1 | GA2 | GA3 | GA4 | GA5 | GA6 | GA7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | understand the basic concepts of chemistry including atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding, reactions and equations, solutions, and acids and bases | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | Lifelong learning | ||||
| 2 | discuss basic environmental chemistry, especially the causes, effects, and methods of determining water pollution | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | Lifelong learning | ||||
| 3 | be familiar with introductory concepts of organic chemistry and their relevance to environmental chemistry | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | Lifelong learning | ||||
| 4 | use and care for basic laboratory equipment | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 5 | accurately carry out the following basic techniques - titrations, gravimetric analysis and preparation of standard solutions | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 6 | accurately carry out analytical techniques to determine some chemical characteristics of water. | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- understand the basic concepts of chemistry including atomic structure, the periodic
table, bonding, reactions and equations, solutions, and acids and bases
- GA1: Intellectual rigour
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
- GA5: Lifelong learning
- discuss basic environmental chemistry, especially the causes, effects, and methods
of determining water pollution
- GA1: Intellectual rigour
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
- GA5: Lifelong learning
- be familiar with introductory concepts of organic chemistry and their relevance to
environmental chemistry
- GA1: Intellectual rigour
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
- GA5: Lifelong learning
- use and care for basic laboratory equipment
- GA1: Intellectual rigour
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
- accurately carry out the following basic techniques - titrations, gravimetric analysis
and preparation of standard solutions
- GA1: Intellectual rigour
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
- accurately carry out analytical techniques to determine some chemical characteristics
of water.
- GA1: Intellectual rigour
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
Prescribed texts
- An electronic only textbook has been prescribed to reduce cost to students.: Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley, William R. Robinson, PhD, 2019, Chemistry 2e, 2nd Edition, OpenStax, Houston, Texas. ISBN: https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/1-introduction.