STH413 Frontiers of Chemistry
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | STH413 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | Admission to ST10 or (Admission to ST20 and completion of 288 credit points (CP)) |
| Equivalent(s): | STB413 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | STH413 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Admission to ST10 or (Admission to ST20 and completion of 288 credit points (CP)) |
| Equivalent: | STB413 |
Overview
This Honours-level unit provides opportunities to extend your knowledge of chemistry by exploring the most recent advances in the field. The unit will provide an essential platform for further studies and theoretical and experimental research in all areas that require knowledge of modern chemistry. The unit will bring you up to date with cutting-edge research at the frontiers of modern chemistry and provide you with skills and knowledge in advanced chemistry to address the challenges, problems and opportunities in current and future research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Be up to date with the theory and practice of cutting edge research areas at the frontiers of modern chemistry
- Develop skills used in problem solving in at least three areas of cutting-edge research.
- Apply critical and creative thinking using advanced chemistry theory to articulate the challenges, problems and opportunities in at least three areas of cutting-edge research..
Content
The content will be delivered in three modules, with specific modules selected each year to suit the cohort of students and their project needs.
Topics for individual modules may include (but are not limited to):
Advanced organic mechanisms
Free radical chemistry
Polymer chemistry
Nanodiamonds and other quantum methods
Surface science
Solid-state chemistry
Materials chemistry
Statistical thermodynamics
Industrial biotechnology and processing
Supramolecular chemistry
The content will be reinforced with authentic problem-solving tasks that require mastery of theory.
Learning Approaches
This unit will be given as a series of 12 two-hour lectures delivered in a workshop style involving student participation. You will also be expected to devote considerable time to individual study. This includes working with textbooks, solving practise problems, completing workshop problems, and reading selected research papers from the field of chemistry. Strong emphasis will be placed on the theory underpinning the frontiers of chemistry and include problem solving strategies developed through the interactive workshop style lectures.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback in this unit by participating in weekly workshops. You will also receive written feedback on problem solving tasks.
Assessment
Overview
This unit has two key assessments.
Problem Solving Task: You will complete one small task per module which will be focused on the topic covered but will develop your research skills beneficial to your honours project and graduate skills.
Final Exam: will test your knowledge and problem-solving skills on the topics covered during the unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
You will undertake several tasks aligned with the different advanced topic modules in this unit. As a chemistry researcher you will apply the advanced knowledge and practical skill obtained in these modules to solve authentic problems. The specific format will vary depending on the module.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Assessment: Examination (written)
Exam covering all of the practical and theoretical knowledge and skills covered during semester.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There is no prescribed text for this unit. Students will be directed to resource material related to the specific modules covered in lectures and workshops.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST10 Bachelor of Science (Honours)
- Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge in one or more discipline area(s) and knowledge of research methods, principles and practices.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Examination (written) - Solve complex problems by demonstrating and applying advanced knowledge and skills in scientific principles, concepts and techniques, with scientific rigour
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Examination (written) - Effectively use a range of communication skills to produce a set of research outputs both individually and collaboratively.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task
ST20 Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours)
- Articulate advanced and coherent knowledge and understanding of at least one scientific discipline
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination (written) - Critically evaluate and apply advanced scientific principles to design experiments, and collect, record, analyse and interpret data using appropriate scientific methodologies, and critical thinking, judgment and deduction to solve complex problems
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination (written)