CHEM106 - Physical and Organic Chemistry

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

CHEM105 Foundations of Chemistry

Unit rationale, description and aim

Chemical reactions underpin almost every type of natural and manmade processes in our modern world. Building on content in Foundations of Chemistry, this unit introduces specific physical chemistry and organic chemistry concepts that underlie the scientific principles which govern chemical, biochemical, environmental and industrial processes. Physical chemistry topics of the unit include electrochemistry, energy utilisation, spontaneity and kinetics of reactions. Under organic chemistry, the major classes of organic compounds, stereoisomerism, and the mechanisms of common organic reaction processes are examined. These concepts are explored with a strong emphasis on real life processes. This unit will also allow students to develop further competence in laboratory techniques developed in Foundations of Chemistry, with emphasis on the areas of physical and organic chemistry.

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.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Apply concepts and principles associated with chemical energy, chemical kinetics and electron transfer reactions (GA4, GA5, GA8)  

LO2 - Predict the behaviour of chemical systems under varied conditions and develop an understanding of importance of thermodynamics in physical chemistry; (GA4, GA5, GA8) 

LO3 - Describe the structure of organic compounds and associated organic chemistry reaction mechanisms according to the functional groups they possess (GA4, GA5, GA8) 

LO4 - Understand the isomerism of organic compounds and it is importance in biological world and medicinal context  (GA4, GA5, GA8) 

LO5 - Demonstrate competence in the practical skills and techniques used in physical and organic chemistry and analysis of experimental results (GA4, GA5, GA7, GA8) 

Graduate attributes

GA4 - think critically and reflectively 

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

GA7 - work both autonomously and collaboratively 

GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information 

Content

Topics will include: 

• Energy and chemical reactions  
• Entropy and free energy  
• Chemical kinetics  
• Electrochemistry  
• Hydrocarbons  
• Conjugation, aromaticity and reactions of aromatic compounds 
• Chemical structure and reactions between organic compounds with different functional groups  
• Stereoisomerism 

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Several different learning and teaching strategies are employed in this unit through lectures, tutorials and laboratory based sessions.  

Lecture sessions encourage active participation and inquiry based learning assisting students to gain essential knowledge towards understanding the principles governing a variety of chemical processes. The practical and tutorial classes reinforce key concepts first introduced in lectures and offer students a more intimate opportunity to engage with the material. Group-based activities in practical sessions also provide an opportunity for students to build their collaborative and working-in-team skills. 

Assessment strategy and rationale

Assessment tasks have been designed to assist students to reach their learning objectives in a stepwise fashion, so they are encouraged to work consistently through semester. There are both exam-based and practical-based assessment tasks within this unit.

Written tests during the semester assess different aspects of the course content, in line with learning objectives, and help prepare students for the final exam. Students are provided with quick feedback, and extra assistance is available if needed. 

Laboratory-based activities offer students an opportunity to improve their skills and knowledge of data collection and analysis, critical thinking, and increase their competence in scientific report writing. This requires students to record, analyse and complete laboratory workbook entries for their experimental work. Laboratory assessment tasks will appraise students’ laboratory technique, data collection and evaluation skills. 

Most of the scheduled laboratory classes will be held on-campus, with 3 delivered online. Practical based assessments will consist of online practical quizzes and submission of a written report on an experiment conducted in the laboratory. 

Examination for this unit consists of both multiple-choice and short-answer questions evaluating students’ knowledge and understanding of all the content covered in lectures, tutorials and practical classes throughout the semester.

The two written exams will be conducted online and will consist of multiple-choice and short-answer questions and assess students’ understanding on the organic and physical chemistry modules of the unit separately.

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Bettelheim, F. A., Brown, W.H. Campbell M. K., Farrell S., and Torres O.J.,(2013) Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry (8th Edition) Thomson Brook/Cole Publishers 

Brown T.L., LeMay H.E., Burston B.E., Murphy C., Woodward P., Langford S., Sagatys D. and George A. (2013) ‘Chemistry: The Central Science’ (3rd edition), Pearson Education, Inc, NJ 

Engel T., Drobny G. and Reid P (2008) 'Physical chemistry for the Life Sciences', Pearson Education International, Prentice Hall. 

Kotz, J.C., Treichel P.M. and Townsend J.R. (2012) ‘Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity’ (8th edition), Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning