Chemistry 1 (CHEM10003)

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Define the role of chemistry in biology, technology and the physical environment and describe the evolution of current theories;
• Illustrate how the individual concepts taught throughout this subject connect with each other to form a fundamental basis of the chemical sciences;
• Execute basic laboratory experiments; analyse and interpret experimental data and write laboratory reports;
• Apply health and safety regulations associated with the safe handling and disposal of laboratory chemicals;
• Categorise the nature of gases and other states of matter; basic energy concepts; chemical equilibrium; acids and bases and factors that determine their strengths; properties of solutions;
• Describe atomic structure theories and their connection with elementary quantum mechanics, and how they are connected to the structure and bonding of hydrocarbons and main-group molecules;
• Outline the unique characteristics of carbon-based compounds including chirality, classification of important functional groups, and naming carbon-based compound classes and molecules;
• Identify the general scientific research process and how to critically analyse scientific data.

Generic skills

This subject encompasses particular generic skills so that on completion of this subject students should have developed skills relating to:

• the organization 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 employing both electronic and traditional means.

• working collaboratively with other students;

• the use of conceptual models;

• problem solving; and

• critical thinking.