Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Instrumental and Environmental Analysis

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

CHEM1054

City Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016

CHEM1054

City Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020

Course Coordinator: Dr. Stephen Headey

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7180

Course Coordinator Email: stephen.headey@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: email for an appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

 

Required Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed following course/s before you commence this course.

One of the following:

AND One of the following:

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.


Course Description

This course aims to extend your knowledge of instrumental analytical chemistry in an environmental context. Practical work is designed to develop your skills in using a range of instrumentation and to illustrate the practical application of the relevant theoretical principles. 

Formal topics covered typically include: flow injection analysis; solvent extraction; gas chromatography; ion selective electrodes; ion exchange and ion chromatography. The practical work incorporates sample digestion, on-campus or virtual experience using all of the abovementioned instrumentation and statistical data analyses.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes:

PLO-2 Scientific knowledge
PLO-2.1 You will have exhibited depth and breadth of chemistry knowledge by demonstrating a knowledge of, and applying the principles and concepts of chemistry

PLO-3 Inquiry , Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
PLO-3.1 You will be able to investigate and solve qualitative and quantitative problems in the chemical sciences, both individually and in teams, by synthesising and evaluating information from a range of sources, including traditional and emerging information technologies and methods
PLO-3.2 You will be able to formulate hypotheses, proposals and predictions and design and undertake experiments and projects in a safe and responsible manner

PLO-4 Communication
PLO-4.1 You will be able to communicate chemical knowledge by presenting information, articulate arguments and conclusions, in a variety of modes, to diverse audiences, and for a range of purposes

 


Upon successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of analytical chemistry and instrumental methods of analysis, including gas chromatography, ion chromatography, flow injection analysis and ion selective electrodes ;
  2. Draw conclusions from analytical data using appropriate statistical analyses in conventional chemical and mathematical notation after collecting, recording, validating, interpretation of analytical data;
  3. Demonstrate the ability to communicateresults, information or arguments effectively in written analytical reports;
  4. Demonstrate the ability to learn independently and self-direct your learning;
  5. Apply teamwork skills by working effectively, responsibly, ethically and safely in an individual or team context.

 


Overview of Learning Activities

This course offers you the following learning opportunities:

  • lectorials, where syllabus material will be presented, explained and illustrated with examples and exercises;
  • participation in practical work, where you will gain hands-on and/or virtual experience using a range of analytical instrumentation;
  • completion of written structured laboratory reports
  • private study, working through the coursework and other learning materials and gaining practice at solving conceptual and numerical problems.

These activities will help enhance your employability by further developing your knowledge and skills set, teamwork, oral and written communication and independent learning skills.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course. 


Overview of Learning Resources

 

The recommended textbook for this course is:

Harris DC (2016) Quantitative Chemical Analysis, 9th Edition Freeman (McMillan). The 8th or 7th editions are also fine.

You will require a clean, white laboratory coat free of any graffiti, a pair of safety glasses or safety over-glasses and a laboratory note book for all practical sessions.

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

This course contains hurdle requirements. All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching).

Assessment 1: Practical Work (HURDLE) - including laboratory performance and reports
Weighting (40%)
This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 3, 4 & 5.

Assessment 2: Topic Assessment 1
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4.

Assessment 3: Topic Assessment 2
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4.

Assessment 4: Topic Assessment 3
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4.

 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.