Unit rationale, description and aim
To be successful in studying and subsequently working within the fields of nutrition or food science, students need to develop their knowledge and understanding of chemistry’s core principles. In this unit, students will learn these principles with topics including atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. The aim of this unit is to provide students with a strong foundation in chemistry, emphasizing fundamental concepts that they can apply in various areas of their lives and to their further studies in biochemistry, food science and human nutrition.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Describe and explain the basic principles of atomi...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply basic chemical principles to solve chemical ...
Learning Outcome 02
Explain the importance of chemistry in daily life ...
Learning Outcome 03
Communicate scientific ideas effectively through w...
Learning Outcome 04
Perform basic laboratory techniques and conduct ex...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
- Matter and Atomic Structure
- Periodic Table
- Chemical bonding
- Chemical reactions
- Stoichiometry
- Solutions
- Chemical Equilibrium
- Acids, Bases and Buffers
- Energy and chemical reactions
- Water
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy for CHED113 is designed to measure student achievement of the unit learning outcomes, provide regular feedback to students, and assess both practical and theoretical knowledge.
The Chemistry Bridging Course Ungraded Hurdle Task does not contribute to the final unit grade. This bridging course consists of six online modules accessible through the unit's online learning management system site, along with a Chemistry Bridging Course Quiz containing 20 questions. Students have unlimited attempts to complete and submit the quiz. A minimum passing grade of 80% is required to successfully complete the bridging course. This setup ensures students have ample opportunity to reinforce their understanding and attain the necessary proficiency in chemistry.
Assessment Task 1 consists of a series of summative quizzes that will assess content knowledge taught during specified weeks. The use of regular quizzes allows students to assess their progress, beginning early in the unit.
Assessment Task 2, is a practical assessment that will assess students on their practical skills and their understanding of techniques and results gathered during the semester.
Assessment Task 3, the final exam assesses material from all content areas taught over the semester. Having been provided with feedback from the earlier assessments, students are now able to address misunderstandings and conceptual difficulties identified from earlier tasks and show that they have now met the learning outcomes. This approach encourages students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical skills, which are important for further studies or in future careers.
In order to ensure students have achieved each learning outcome, to pass this unit, a student must pass the hurdle task and attain a minimum of 50% in each of the theoretical assessment tasks and the practical exam.
Strategies aligned with transition pedagogies will be utilised to facilitate successful completion of the unit assessment tasks. For each assessment, there will be the incorporation of developmentally staged tasks with a focus on a progressive approach to learning. This will be achieved through activities, including regular feedback, particularly early in the unit of study to support their learning; strategies to develop and understand discipline-specific concepts and terminology; in-class practice tasks with integrated feedback; and greater peer-to-peer collaboration.
Overview of assessments
Chemistry Bridging Course - Ungraded Hurdle To en...
Chemistry Bridging Course - Ungraded Hurdle
To ensure the students have sufficient basic chemistry understanding to commence the unit.
Ungraded Hurdle
Assessment Task 1: Intra-Semester Quizzes (Summat...
Assessment Task 1: Intra-Semester Quizzes (Summative)
These quizzes are short tests designed to assess unit content regularly through the semester. Feedback is provided quickly, allowing students to gauge their progress, and to seek assistance if they wish.
30%
Assessment Task 2: Practical Exam (Summative) The...
Assessment Task 2: Practical Exam (Summative)
The practical assessment allows students an opportunity to display their understanding of practical chemistry techniques, related to practical classes in which they have participated.
30%
Assessment Task 3: Written Examination (2 hrs) (S...
Assessment Task 3: Written Examination (2 hrs) (Summative)
The final exam assesses material from all content areas. Having been provided with feedback from the earlier assessments, students are now able to address misunderstandings and conceptual difficulties identified from earlier tasks and show that they have now met the learning outcomes.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
The aim of the learning and teaching strategy for CHEM113 is to provide students with a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. The unit will deliver content through weekly recorded lectures and will be supported by weekly lecture-chat sessions, where students can ask questions and receive feedback in real time.
Prior to commencing the unit students will complete the Chemistry Bridging Course that aims to establish a common foundation in chemical knowledge and terminology for all students, particularly those without prior chemistry experience. Although the bridging course carries no weight in the final grading, its purpose is to ensure that all students start the unit on an equal footing. The course consists of a small number of recordings that students should watch, followed by a brief, online quiz. The bridging course will prove valuable to students at all skill levels, fostering a shared understanding and facilitating meaningful progress in chemistry. This bridging course is a hurdle for all students.
In addition to the lectures, the unit will include weekly tutorials and practical sessions. Tutorials will provide an opportunity for students to discuss and work through course material in a small group setting, facilitated by a tutor. Practical sessions will allow students to apply their knowledge in a laboratory setting and will provide an opportunity to develop practical skills.
This integrated strategy promotes active learning, flexibility, and personalized engagement with the material, ensuring students not only absorb information but also develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical skills essential for their academic and professional growth in chemistry.
Further to this, to ensure students are ready to transition from the Diploma and articulate into the second year of undergraduate study, transition pedagogies will be incorporated into the unit as the key point of differentiation from the standard unit. This focuses on an active and engaging approach to learning and teaching practices, and a scaffolded approach to the delivery of curriculum to enhance student learning in a supportive environment. This will ensure that students develop foundation level discipline-based knowledge, skills and attributes, and simultaneously the academic competencies required of students to succeed in this unit.