CVB102 Chemical Structure and Reactivity


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:CVB102
Credit points:12
Anti-requisite:CZB190, CZB191, CVB103
Coordinators:Prashant Sonar | sonar.prashant@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

Chemistry relates to all aspects of our lives. An understanding of chemistry is necessary to make sense of our world and to address the global challenges faced by our society. Together with its companion unit, CVB101 General Chemistry, this unit provides you with a foundation in the science of Chemistry. It focuses on how atoms bond to form molecules, and the models chemists use to understand molecular structure. You will learn how to predict the reactivity and properties of molecules and will get a foundational introduction to organic and biological chemistry. You will develop your ability to apply theoretical knowledge and critical thinking to solving chemical problems. You will also complete a suite of laboratory practical experiments, where you will develop professional skills in chemical manipulation, analysis, safe laboratory practices, data recording and analysis. This unit is a foundation for higher-level courses in organic chemistry, materials science and biochemistry.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Describe and predict the connectivity, shapes and electronic properties of molecules and relate these concepts to the characteristic reactions of organic molecules.
  2. Interpret chemical problems using the principles of molecular structure, polarity and three-dimensional shape and chemical reactivity.
  3. Safely and accurately conduct basic laboratory procedures, to test organic substances and evaluate their properties and chemical reactions.
  4. Evaluate and communicate laboratory procedures and results through a professional laboratory notebook.
  5. Critically reflect on your learning experiences, both individually and as a team, to develop your skills as an independent and life-long learner.

Content

The unit will build your understanding of atomic and molecular structure using models appropriate to an introductory unit. The structures and shapes of molecules of carbon compounds will be investigated in a collaborative format where you will work with your colleagues to reinforce your understanding. Once you are familiar with the three-dimensional shapes and electronic properties of typical molecules, organic reactions will be examined through mechanistic and functional group approaches. You will also learn how the atomic and molecular structure can influence chemical reactivity. The unit will finish with examining the biomolecules that are fundamental to life, and the chemistry that underpins their interactions.

Throughout this unit you be provided with the opportunity to learn about First Nations Peoples of Australia’s development of chemical processes, and how they have long used, and continue to use, chemical compounds. In your learning of the nature of chemical bonding, you will investigate how fundamental chemical principles are being manipulated through highly sophisticated processes. These activities aim to raise your awareness of the long history of First Nations Peoples of Australia in working scientifically in the development of knowledge, and begin to recognise their historical, contemporary, and future contributions to science and society.

We will adopt a guided approach to learning in each of these key areas (below) leading from experimental result to conceptual model to predictability and testability. Successful learning will depend on recall of relevant factual material as a necessary preparation for solving problems.


Foundations of molecular structure:

  • Extension of General Chemistry concepts of electronic structures of atoms and molecules (quantum theory, Lewis structures, resonance theory, aromaticity)
  • polarity of bonds and molecules, and their relationship to physical and chemical properties
  • the functional classes of organic molecules
  • naming organic compounds systematically
  • three-dimensional structures of molecules and impact of shapes on properties.

Reactions of organic substances:

  • the typical reactions of the common functional groups
  • how to represent reactions using electron flow
  • extension of General Chemistry concepts of acids and bases to organic functional groups and non-aqueous media
  • treatment of typical reaction mechanisms using a deductive approach
  • applications of principles of structure and reactivity to every-day life, especially involving naturally occurring substances, drugs and polymers.

Introduction to spectroscopy:

  • why we need spectroscopy - classical methods
  • mass spectrometry
  • infrared spectroscopy
  • carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
  • solving problems in structure determination.

Biomolecules and the chemistry of life

  • the structure of biomolecules is influenced by the atomic and molecular structure, polarity and different types of bonding.
  • the chemical properties of biomolecules is determined by the presence of different functional groups
  • biochemical reactions follow the same fundamental mechanisms as for all organic reactions, and that they are governed by the movement of electrons.

Learning Approaches

It is recommended that students enrol in CVB101 and CVB102 in the same semester. If this is not possible students should enrol in CVB102 after CVB101. You will attend scheduled classes, undertake self-directed independent study to consolidate your learning, and prepare for and undertaking assessment tasks.

As a first-year unit, your learning in CVB102 will be carefully scaffolded to assist the development of foundational chemistry knowledge. As such, CVB102 will use a blended approach to teaching and learning, combining independent digital study activities, with face-to-face classes to maximise your depth of understanding about chemistry. You will need to complete each of the learning activities below.

Guided self-paced online learning
Pre-class activities will be completed through Canvas, to provide foundational knowledge required for the tutorials and workshops. This will allow you to develop your independent study skills and to move through foundational concepts at a pace that is appropriate for your level of understanding. These activities will be short and will involve elements of short readings and interactive activities such as videos, quizzes and simulations.

Tutorials
Interactive classes led by an experienced chemistry academic, using appropriate real world examples to demonstrate theory and concepts from an atomic scale right through to proteins and nucleic acids. These classes require completion of the pre-class activities, as they will build on this foundational knowledge. This will combine collaborative problem solving in groups with feedback and discussion with the larger class. The introductory methods for problem solving introduced in these tutorials will then lead to more advanced, self-guided problem solving skills as applied to organic chemical systems further developed in the workshops.

Workshops
In the workshops, you will work collaboratively with your peers and receive guidance from teaching staff, to build your scientific problem solving skills. The goal of these activities is to bridge the gap between knowing and applying the theory to solve chemical problems. These provide you an opportunity to work in a small class setting, allowing more effective peer collaboration, as well as opportunities to discuss concepts with teaching staff.

Practicals
The practical course uses an inquiry-based approach based on real research laboratory problems, which will build your practical chemistry skills while working both individually and collaboratively with your peers. You will learn how to handle organic substances safely, while carrying out reactions and processes for isolation and purification of substances that are important in everyday life. You will also develop skills in recording laboratory procedures, experimental observations and data, and how to communicate these in a scientific and professional manner. You will be required to complete a short, online preparatory quiz to ensure you are prepared for these classes and can work in a safe manner.
If you are experiencing difficulty with the chemistry concepts or level of writing required in this unit, you are encouraged to make contact with the teaching staff to get assistance. You are encouraged to participate in class, and other support sessions such as scheduled office hours, or one-on-one consultations. QUT offers FREE Chemistry and language and learning support available to all students through the Student Success Group.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

There will be extensive opportunity to assess your progress in the unit:

  • Ongoing feedback in classes to self/peer assess and improve understanding of key concepts.
  • Oral and written feedback on your laboratory activities through the laboratory notebook.
  • Quizzes will provide regular formative feedback about your understanding of chemical concepts and development of your scientific problem solving skills. This will assist in your preparation for the final theory exam.
  • Assessment items, except the final examination, will be returned to you; model answers will be provided on Canvas. Many practice examples and worked solutions, including typical final examination questions, will also be available to guide your learning and self-test your progress.
  • All staff in the unit will be available for individual or small group consultation.

Assessment

Overview

The major assessment in this unit will be the final examination, which will assess your ability to understand chemical concepts and to apply this knowledge to solve complex problems. This will constitute the end of semester exam (50%) and a series of three progress quizzes (10%). The results from the quizzes will provide important feedback about the depth of understanding that you are developing in the unit and help you to develop your study approaches ahead of the final exam.

You will be required to undertake five 3-hour sessions of supervised practical work for which you will prepare a written laboratory notebook that is authentic to that of a professional chemist. This notebook will comprise both pre-laboratory and post-experiment components, and will provide regular formative feedback as well as form the foundation for the summative assessment task.

In this blended approach to learning you will experience guided learning (tutorials), peer learning (workshops) and independent learning (online modules). You will be provided with a myriad of opportunities to investigate how chemical structure affects chemical reactivity through practical and theoretical learning. There will be many new learning experiences, which you will be asked to reflect on in a reflective journal. This will enhance your reflective practice, a critical skill for a professional scientist.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Reflective Journal

In the blended approach to learning in this unit you will experience guided learning (tutorials), peer learning (workshops) and independent learning (online modules). There will be many new learning experiences, which you will be asked to critically reflect on in a reflective essay. This will enhance your reflective practice, a critical skill for a professional scientist.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 10
Length: 500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 5 of 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 5

Assessment: Laboratory Notebook

You will be required to undertake five 3-hour sessions of supervised practical work, and one independent learning task, for which you will prepare a written laboratory notebook that is authentic to that of a professional chemist. This notebook will comprise both pre-laboratory and post-experiment components, and will provide regular formative feedback as well as form the foundation for the summative assessment task.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6 of 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Final Examination

The Examination will use authentic problem-solving tasks to comprehensively assess content the unit. This will combine a mixture of multiple choice and short answer question styles. The examination will provide opportunities for feedback on learning throughout semester, to guide your learning.

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): End of semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Costs

You will need to purchase a laboratory coat and safety glasses suitable for use in a chemistry laboratory. These can be purchased from the QUT bookstore.

If you wear prescription glasses, you will need to purchase a pair of safety glasses or goggles that fit over your glasses. Prescription glasses are not a substitute for safety glasses.

Resources

Resources to support your learning in this unit will be available in your Canvas unit site. This unit makes use of a prescribed textbook, the details of which are outline below along with other resources you will find helpful to your studies in this unit.

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

CVB102 Laboratory Manual (2018) QUT. Available on the CVB102 Canvas site to be printed.

Recommended text(s)

Chemistry, Blackman, et al., 3rd or 4th Ed.Wiley.

Monk (2006) Maths for Chemistry, Oxford.

Other

Cerego, you will receive an email invitation and access details will be provided through the CVB102 Canvas.

Risk Assessment Statement

The professional practice of Chemistry requires the safe handling of Hazardous Substances. A practical laboratory program is an important part of this unit, so you will be required to handle such substances. The chemicals and procedures used in this unit are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course. You will undertake compulsory formal pre-laboratory assessment in Health and Safety matters relevant to the laboratory and QUT buildings in general. Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiments are clearly explained in the Practical Manual. Having been provided with this advice, it is your responsibility to comply with all instructions, for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

ST01 Bachelor of Science

  1. Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
    Relates to: ULO1, Final Examination
  2. Recognise First Nations Peoples of Australia as the nation’s first scientists, whose knowledge and contributions are valued.
    Relates to: ULO5, Reflective Journal
  3. Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Laboratory Notebook, Final Examination
  4. Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Laboratory Notebook, Final Examination
  5. Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
    Relates to: ULO3, Laboratory Notebook
  6. Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
    Relates to: ULO4, ULO5, Reflective Journal, Laboratory Notebook
  7. Work autonomously and collaboratively with others in an inclusive and professional manner and use critical reflection for personal and professional growth.
    Relates to: ULO5, Reflective Journal

SV02 Bachelor of Science

  1. Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
    Relates to: ULO1, Final Examination
  2. Recognise First Nations Peoples of Australia as the nation’s first scientists, whose knowledge and contributions are valued.
    Relates to: ULO5, Reflective Journal
  3. Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Laboratory Notebook, Final Examination
  4. Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Laboratory Notebook, Final Examination
  5. Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
    Relates to: ULO3, Laboratory Notebook
  6. Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
    Relates to: ULO4, ULO5, Reflective Journal, Laboratory Notebook
  7. Work autonomously and collaboratively with others in an inclusive and professional manner and use critical reflection for personal and professional growth.
    Relates to: ULO5, Reflective Journal