CVB202 Analytical Chemistry

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit introduces modern chemical analysis, including a selection of standard instrumental techniques, which are firmly linked to the theory and practice of the discipline in a modern, working laboratory. You will gain essential analytical and deductive skills for chemical science as well as laboratory-based experience in sampling, treatment of samples, principles and practice of making high-quality chemical measurements with chromatographic and spectroscopic instrumentation. This unit further develops your knowledge and technical laboratory skills in chemical instrumentation and analysis, enabling ethical decision-making in various industries. It links to previous work in CVB101 General Chemistry and prepares you for the final semester major capstone unit CVB304 Chemistry Research Project.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Re-evaluate and apply organic, inorganic and physical chemistry theory to make reliable chemical measurements using scientific instrumentation in spectroscopy and chromatography.
2. Critique and report on experimental data and results using critically reflective scientific capabilities.
3. Interpret and critically review data generated in the laboratory using statistical and graphical techniques used in industry.
4. Perform laboratory procedures in a careful and precise manner and obtain reliable results.
5. Evaluate and communicate laboratory results in a scientifically critical and industrially relevant manner.

Content

Learning Approaches

This is a second-year unit that introduces analytical chemistry to build on your fundamental chemistry knowledge. Class contact in this unit will involve a combination of traditional lectures, informal interactive workshops, and a series of laboratory experiments. It is expected that you spend between 10-15 hours per week preparing for and attending all classes, preparing assessments and undertaking your own independent study of the subject.

Interactive Lectures/tutorials

Interactive lectures using relevant practical examples will demonstrate the principles and applications of analytical chemistry, supplemented with problem-solving exercises performed both solo and in groups with feedback and discussion with the larger class to provide a diverse range of learning experiences.

Practical work
(7 x 3-hour sessions)

The practical program is designed to reinforce the principles and applications learnt in lectures as well as develop practical laboratory skills in the treatment and manipulation of samples (specimens) and analysis using a variety of instrumental techniques in spectrometry and chromatography. The development of good laboratory practice (GLP) and the safe handling of chemical substances is emphasised.

Workshops

The interactive, cooperative workshop sessions will support the practical exploration of valid and reliable analytical methods introduced in the lectures. The workshops feature critical evaluation and reflection on the results you collect in the practical program. The use of appropriate statistical and graphic techniques is developed, with particular emphasis on problem-solving and the interpretation and reporting of experimental results.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

There will be extensive opportunities to assess your progress in the unit from the initial to final self-assessment surveys. You will receive written feedback on your laboratory workbook, which will be annotated and returned to you.

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 cooperative learning workbook, which will provide feedback from peers and your instructors. The results you obtain in the formative quizzes will provide ongoing feedback about your preparation for the final theory exam. You also assess your progress at key points and share feedback with peers.

Except for the final examination, assessment items will be returned to you; model answers will be provided on Canvas. Many practice examples and worked solutions, including typical final examination questions, will 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 assessment in this unit includes both formative and summative elements. Formative assessment will take the form of provision of model answers for summative tasks, practice problems with worked solutions, return of your marked and annotated practical reports, and interactive discussions with your laboratory demonstrators. Summative assessment is a portfolio of laboratory and related problem-solving tasks, written reports, self-assessment and a final theory examination.

Self assessment
The self assessment surveys at beginning and end of the unit, allow you to individually assess your knowledge and skills in analytical chemistry to focus on areas you need to improve and to work with your peers as well as teaching staff to bridge those gaps in your learning.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Self-assessment

You will develop an inventory of your capabilities and skills based upon a rating and ranking exercise at the beginning of semester. This will be followed by a similar rating and ranking exercise at the end of the semester to compare and re-evaluate your capabilities and skills.

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

Assessment: Workbook

You will undertake seven (7) laboratory experiments undertaken in the industry based on the analysis of soil, water and foods. As a professional chemist in industry, you must understand and follow the reporting requirements outlined in ISO17025. A workbook containing industry-relevant reports required to fulfil IEC\ISO17025 obligations will be submitted and assessed.  These experimental activities also have pre-laboratory and post-experiment components. You'll also undertake two sessions of practical-related workshop activities, including problem-solving, formative computer-based quizzes, and written components. One section of your workbook will be used in a peer-based assessment exercise.
Individual workbooks; experiments are conducted in small teams.

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

Assessment: Examination

The end of semester theory exam will cover content from all theory components of the unit.

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.

Requirements to Study

Costs

There are no out of the ordinary costs associated with the study of this unit.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Daniel C. Harris., Quantitative Chemical Analysis, 8th Ed., New York : W. H. Freeman, 2010

Risk Assessment Statement

The professional practice of Chemistry requires the safe handling of Hazardous Substances. A practical laboratory program is an integral part of this unit, so you will be required to handle such substances. The chemicals and procedures used in this unit are deemed appropriate for students at this level of the course. You will undertake a 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 pertinent 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.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

1: Knowledge and Skill Base

1. 
   Relates to: Workbook, Examination
2. 
   Relates to: Workbook, Examination
3. 
   Relates to: Workbook, Examination
4. 
   Relates to: Workbook
5. 
   Relates to: Self-assessment, Workbook

2: Engineering Application Ability

1. 
   Relates to: Workbook, Examination
2. 
   Relates to: Self-assessment, Workbook, Examination
3. 
   Relates to: Workbook, Examination

3: Professional and Personal Attributes

1. 
   Relates to: Workbook
2. 
   Relates to: Workbook
3. 
   Relates to: Workbook
4. 
   Relates to: Self-assessment, Workbook
5. 
   Relates to: Workbook

Course 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, ULO3, Workbook, Examination
2. 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, ULO5, Self-assessment, Workbook, Examination
3. Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Self-assessment, Workbook, Examination
4. 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: ULO4, Workbook
5. Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
   Relates to: ULO5, Workbook
6. Work autonomously and collaboratively with others in an inclusive and professional manner and use critical reflection for personal and professional growth.
   Relates to: ULO2, Self-assessment, Workbook, Examination

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, ULO3, Workbook, Examination
2. 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, ULO5, Self-assessment, Workbook, Examination
3. Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Self-assessment, Workbook, Examination
4. 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: ULO4, Workbook
5. Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
   Relates to: ULO5, Workbook
6. Work autonomously and collaboratively with others in an inclusive and professional manner and use critical reflection for personal and professional growth.
   Relates to: ULO2, Self-assessment, Workbook, Examination