CH1001:03
Introductory Chemistry A
Townsville, Cairns
Prerequisites: Senior Chemistry and Maths B
Townsville campus:
39
lectures, 12 tutorials, 36 hours practicals. First semester. Repeated
in second semester via approximately 40 hours of self-paced Computer-Aided-Learning
modules. The 36 hours practical work will be held in block mode
over a period of one week.
Cairns campus:
30
hours computer aided modules, 24 lectures, 12 tutorials, 36 hours
practicals. First semester.
Available to students who have successfully completed Senior Chemistry and Maths B.
Staff: Professor R Keene, Assoc. Professor G Meehan, Dr M Ridd, Dr B McCool (Townsville campus); Dr M Liddell (Cairns campus).
Atomic structure, Bonding and Periodicity. Chemistry as a central scientific discipline. Atomic and electronic structure. Chemical Periodicity: Chemical bonding and molecular shape.
Classification of Chemical Reactions. Chemical equations. Molar stoichiometry.
Organic Chemistry. Diversity of carbon compounds. Functional groups and nomenclature. Characterisation of pure organic compounds: chromatography; microanalysis, spectroscopy. Structures, properties and typical chemical reactivity of the major classes of organic compounds, isomerism. Introduction to naturally occurring compounds (e.g. lipids, carbohydrates, peptides, proteins) of biological and/or environmental importance will be given by way of illustrative examples.
Physical chemistry. Gaseous state, intermolecular forces. Thermochemistry. Chemical equilibrium. Acid-base equilibria, pH, buffers, carbonate equilibria. Chemical kinetics, catalysis.
Learning Objectives:
- have been introduced to basic chemical principles and characteristic chemical reactions;
- appreciate the application and relevance of these principles and reactions to a range of scientific disciplines, including the biological, biomedical, earth and environmental sciences;
- be familiar with, and competent in the application of, simple laboratory techniques in chemistry.
Townsville campus:
Assessment by laboratory work and reports (25%); a three-hour examination (75%).
Cairns campus:
Assessment by laboratory work and reports (20%); CAL modules (5%); tests (15%); a three-hour examination (60%).