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Foundation Studies in Chemistry (CHEM10008)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Dookie)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Email: rosgall@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This unit is designed for students with little or no background in chemistry who wish to gain an understanding of basic chemistry. Topics covered include the nature of matter, solutions and gases, the chemical change related to equilibrium, energy and kinetics, and the nature of redox processes; and structures and functional groups of inorganic molecules. In introducing the nature of matter and the chemical elements, an elementary discussion of atomic structure and the bonding of elements to form compounds is given. Further development requires a discussion of the mole concept. This leads to a study of chemical reactions, with discussions on oxidation and reduction, acids and bases, energy changes in reactions, reaction rates and chemical equilibrium, and an introduction to organic chemistry.
Intended learning outcomes
This aim of this subject is to provide students with an understanding of:
- Nature of matter: elements, atoms, ion and molecules
- Electronic structure of atoms and ions
- Bond formation including covalent, ionic metallic, hydrogen bonding, van der Waal’s
- Solubility and solution state; ions and hydration
- The behaviour of gases
- The mole concept, concentrations and stoichiometry
- Acids, bases neutralisation reactions and salt formation
- Acid/base strength and the pH scale
- Energy and chemical systems
- Rates of reaction and reaction order
- Catalysis and enzymes
- Chemical equilibrium; the equilibrium, constant, Ka Kb stability constants and solubility products
- Redox reactions and redox potentials
- Organic molecules: structure nomenclature and functional groups
- Hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity
- Biologically significant macromolecules
Generic skills
This subject encompasses particular generic skills so that on completion of the subject students should have developed skills relating to:
- The organisation of work schedules that permit appropriate preparation time for tutorials practical classes and examinations
- The use of electronic forms of communication
- The utilisation of computer-aided learning activities to enhance understanding
- The performance of basic manipulations with laboratory equipment
- The recording of observations, the analysis of information and the interpretation of data within a laboratory setting
- Accessing information from the library via both electronic and traditional means
- Working collaboratively with other students
- Problem solving and critical thinking
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Some knowledge of basic science will be assumed
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
6 practical reports each up to 500 words
| Throughout the semester | 20% |
3 feedback tests
| Throughout the semester | 30% |
Examination
| End of semester | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: Independent Learning Tasks need to be completed in order to pass the subject. | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Ros Gall Mode of delivery On Campus (Dookie) Contact hours 36 hours of lectures, 12 hours of tutorials, 18 hours of practicals, 18 hours of computer-aided learning/online discussion Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
Email: rosgall@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
S.J. Zumdahl Chemical Principles 8th edition, Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning 2017
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Diploma in General Studies - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 31 January 2024