CVB203 Physical 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: | CVB203 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | (CVB101 and CVB102) or ((CVB102 or CVB103 or CZB190) and admission to ST20) |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,680 |
| International unit fee | $5,760 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | CVB203 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | (CVB101 and CVB102) or ((CVB102 or CVB103 or CZB190) and admission to ST20) |
| Coordinator: | Eric Waclawik | e.waclawik@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This is a developmental unit that covers concepts that determine how chemical systems behave. It covers the discrete nature of atoms and molecules through spectroscopy, and develops understanding of the thermodynamics and kinetics of chemical processes. Theoretical and practical-based approaches are to develop understanding of the nature of the physical properties and dynamic transformations of matter essential to all branches of chemistry and to other disciplines based on physical materials, or that use and rely on chemical reactions. This unit builds on knowledge and practical skills introduced in CVB101 General Chemistry, it expands on the concepts introduced in CVB101 and prepares for CVB302 Applied Physical Chemistry.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain physical chemistry concepts in both theoretical and practical settings.
- Design a theoretical methodology for solving a real world problem with a physical chemistry component.
- Collect, analyse and evaluate data to solve physical chemistry problems.
- Communicate professionally in the form of written reports according to disciplinary norms.
Content
Within each category, a guided approach leading from experimental result to conceptual model to predictability and testability will be adopted.
Dynamics:
- Kinetic theory, transport processes, the Boltzmann Distribution
- Chemical kinetics including First Nations Peoples application of kinetics principles
- Activated processes
Reaction Mechanisms:
- Mechanisms of chemical reactions
- Collision theory of reaction rates
- The steady state principle
Molecular Spectroscopy:
- covering an introduction to light-matter interaction, the Boltzmann distribution in spectroscopy and topics of rotational, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy of molecules.
Thermodynamics and its applications:
- An account of the laws of thermodynamics with reference to their applications, covering the topics of enthalpy, heat capacity, entropy and Gibbs free energy.
In addition to preparing you for later studies in physical chemistry, this unit contributes strongly to the development of important attributes you are expected to demonstrate as a graduate of the course, namely
- technical proficiency and data collection and recording using industry-standard digital technologies
- critical reasoning and problem-solving
- communication and visual representation of scientific data
- independent management of tasks
- critical self-reflection
You will become familiar with the use of discipline-appropriate digital technologies and software in the laboratory experiments and through project module computer-based exercises. You will gain experience in discipline-specific data collection and recording methods during the laboratory/practical component of the unit.
Learning Approaches
The formal classes will engage your learning through a complementary set of (1) lectures involving development of physical chemistry concepts, (2) an introduction to practical physical chemistry and (3) collaborative learning workshops that apply theoretical and practical knowledge to solve real world problems.
Lectures
The lecture program will provide a conceptual and an accessible introduction to physical chemistry by first describing kinetic theory and kinetics of atoms and molecules. This provides a foundation for the study of dynamics. Once you are familiar with the mechanisms of chemical kinetics, you will learn about molecular spectroscopy and how this is used to describe and understand chemical reactions and processes from a microscopic view. Finally, thermodynamics of chemical systems will be covered in order to show how their macroscopic properties can be predicted.
Practical Work
You will perform laboratory experiments on the key concepts you have learnt in lectures; including kinetics, thermodynamics, phase chemistry and spectroscopy. You will be required to record observations and results in workbooks during these sessions and reflect on how the laboratory sessions relate to key concepts learnt in lectures. The laboratory sessions will provide you practical experience in collecting data, performing experiments and using physical chemistry techniques.
Workshops
The first workshop before the start of practical sessions will provide you with details of the requirements and expectations of the workbook component of your studies, and how future workshops will operate. This workshop will also provide you with examples of how to identify what information is required in solving a problem, followed by what techniques you will be learning in laboratory sessions and how they relate to theoretical concepts learnt in lectures.
Subsequent workshops will be based on reviewing data collected in the laboratory sessions, answering questions specific to the experiment you completed in the previous weeks and practice in devising methodologies for problems based on the concept(s) you learnt in the previous laboratory sessions. You will be working in teams during these workshop sessions and recording group discussions/findings. Guidance and formative feedback from demonstrators/academic staff will be provided throughout the workshop.
You can expect to spend between 10 - 15 hours per week on average involved in preparing for and attending all scheduled classes, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent study to consolidate your learning.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
There will be extensive opportunity to assess your progress in the unit. You will obtain regular feedback on your workbooks in both workshop and laboratory sessions. The informal atmosphere in the laboratory means that you will have the opportunity for one-to-one feedback from your demonstrator. This will be supplemented by the collaborative nature of your teamwork tasks in workshops, which will provide you with feedback from peers and your instructors. The results that you obtain in the problem solving tasks for each workshop will be another source of ongoing feedback, that is designed to aid your preparation for the problem solving task assessment piece and final theory exam.
Many practice examples and worked solutions, including typical final examination questions, will be available on Canvas to guide your learning and self-test your progress.
Assessment
Overview
You will complete a comprehensive workbook and on its completion it will contain information collected in laboratory sessions, answers to questions relating to laboratory sessions and practice developing methodologies for case studies, along with a separate problem solving task drawing on aspects of all laboratory sessions. Formative feedback on your workbook tasks will be provided to you throughout the semester to enable you to gauge your understanding of concepts and skills in developing a methodology for solving a problem. Practice questions and solutions will be made available on Canvas will provide you with additional formative feedback on your understanding of concepts in preparation for the summative final examination at the end of semester on all theoretical concepts of the unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Workbook
You will undertake a series of supervised laboratory work that demonstrates practical applications of kinetics, thermodynamics, phase chemistry and spectroscopy. During the laboratory sessions you are required to record your observations, results and reflect on what concepts each experiment is demonstrating in a workbook.
The workbook will be periodically reviewed and feedback provided during laboratory and workshop sessions before final submission of the entire workbook at the end of semester.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
You will be presented with a real world problem or case study. To successfully complete this assessment item you will need to develop a theoretical methodology to solve the problem. This assessment piece is similar to what you have done in workshops for each laboratory session, however it may be more complex and will require information to be a synthesis of more than one concept.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Examination (written)
The end of semester theory exam will cover content from all theory components of the unit.
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 have a lab coat and safety glasses to perform the lab work.
Resources
The recommended text is for students requiring help with Maths: Monk (2006) Maths for Chemistry, Oxford.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Atkins P and De Paula J (2018) Atkins' Physical Chemistry, 11th Edition, Oxford Uni Press.
Recommended text(s)
Monk (2006) Maths for Chemistry, Oxford.
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
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, Workbook, Examination (written) - Recognise First Nations Peoples of Australia as the nation’s first scientists, whose knowledge and contributions are valued.
Relates to: ULO1, Workbook, Examination (written) - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Workbook, Problem Solving Task - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Workbook, Problem Solving Task - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO4, Workbook, Problem Solving Task
SV02 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, Workbook, Examination (written) - Recognise First Nations Peoples of Australia as the nation’s first scientists, whose knowledge and contributions are valued.
Relates to: ULO1, Workbook, Examination (written) - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Workbook, Problem Solving Task - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Workbook, Problem Solving Task - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO4, Workbook, Problem Solving Task