STB413 Frontiers of Chemistry


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:STB413
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:Admission to ST10 or (Admission to ST20 and completion of 288 credit points (CP))
Coordinator:Anthony O'Mullane | anthony.omullane@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

This unit is offered at the Honours level for students to build on their knowledge in chemistry, obtained during their undergraduate studies. 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.
To successfully complete this unit you will:
1. Be up to date with the theory and practice of cutting edge research areas at the frontiers of modern chemistry
2. Develop skills used in problem solving in at least three areas of cutting-edge research.
3. Apply critical and creative thinking using advanced chemistry theory to articulate the challenges, problems and opportunities in areas of cutting-edge research.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Be up to date with the theory and practice of cutting edge research areas at the frontiers of modern chemistry
  2. Develop skills used in problem solving in at least three areas of cutting-edge research.
  3. 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

Assessment

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

Workshop assignments

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Weekly/Fortnightly
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Examination (written)

Exam

Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

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)

  1. 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)
  2. 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)