Chemistry 1 (8773.3)

Please note these are the 2027 details for this unit
Home
/
Find your course
/
Chemistry 1
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 UC College, Bruce, ACT
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Science Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit follows on from Introduction to Chemistry and extends on the foundations of chemistry enabling later studies in chemistry and biochemistry. Topics covered are atomic structure and chemical periodicity, bonding, oxidation and reduction, acids and bases, precipitation reactions, titrations, phase diagrams, solutions, gas laws, and structure and functionality in organic chemistry. These important basic principles and concepts are developed using pertinent examples and special topics that highlight the everyday applications of chemistry.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate good laboratory practice when working with chemicals either individually or in a group setting;
2. Apply skills in setting up simple experiments to understand some of the important basic chemical principles; and
3. Demonstrate skills in predicting the chemical behaviours of a variety of elements and compounds from their understanding of the structure and reactivity of matter.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2027 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2026 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
2026 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
2027 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 1 15 February 2027 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
2027 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 2 09 August 2027 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Interactive General Chemistry, Atoms First

Jessica White, Brian Anderson, Brandon Green and  Mildred Hall

Second Edition| ©2023

Macmillan Learning

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial Intelligence

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.

Weekly homework will be submitted electronically through Macmillan Learn, all other assessment items except the Final Assessment are to be submitted in hard copy. It is strongly recommended that you have an electronic back up copy. The Final Assessment will be submitted through Canvas.

Special assessment requirements

Acquisition of practical skills is necessary in order to demonstrate Unit Learning Outcomes 1 and 2 and in order to meet requirements aligned to WIL skills. Practical skills gained during this unit include these 10 skills: appropriate selection of glassware; correct preparation of glassware and instruments; correct technique using glassware and instruments; correct use of volumetric flasks; correct use of volumetric pipettes ; correct use of burettes; correct preparation of standard solutions; correct use of Safety Data Sheets and risk assessment; correct waste procedures; correct collection and recording of experimentally-derived data and observations and calculations and analysis using experimentally-derived data. In order to demonstrate WIL skills and achievement of the ULOs, students must gain a minimum of 8/10 of these skills which can be achieved by fully participating in a minimum of 9/11 practical sessions throughout semester including the Assessable practical. In order to gain entry to practical sessions, students are required to complete a pre-lab quiz prior to each practical session. Full participation involves attending and personally completing the required tasks.

The final mark for this subject will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item listed below:

Mid-Semester Test

20%

 Laboratory Portfolio

40%

 Revision and Reflection Checkpoints

15%

 Final Assessment

25%

 Total

100%

In order to pass this unit, students are required to obtain a mark of 50% or better overall and meet the Laboratory participation requirement outlined above.

Students are encouraged to consult the unit convenor for any special considerations in relation to assessment requirements. Without prior arrangement or consultation with the unit convenor, penalties for late submission or "no-show" at assessment times will be imposed. Extensions for assignment work must be applied for through the unit convenor. 

The unit convenor reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes.

Supplementary assessment

Refer to the UC Supplementary Assessment Policy

Students in their last semester of study may be eligible to sit a supplementary exam or assessment to gain a pass grade. This opportunity is available only if

  • student’s mark in that unit is 45% or above but less than the pass mark
  • the unit is their last unit to complete the Diploma.

 

 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

The 150 hours include time spent in classes. The unit occupies a total of 13 weeks plus 1 week of examination.  Therefore it is expected that you should spend about 10 hours per week for this unit.  This might be broken up as follows:

Activity Time
Workshop/Lectures 2 hours
Laboratory 2 hours
Tutorial 2 hours
Journal Preparation 1 hours
Revision 1 hours
Private study including required reading 2 hours

Participation requirements

Your participation in both class and online activities will enhance your understanding of the unit content and therefore the quality of your assessment responses. Lack of participation may result in your inability to satisfactorily pass assessment items.

You must acquire 8/10 practical skills which equates to participating in 80% of practical sessions throughout semester. And in order to gain entry to practical sessions you must complete a pre-lab quiz prior to each practical session.

Required IT skills

You should know how to navigate on-line websites and be able to use standard software packages such as Powerpoint, Word and Excel.

In-unit costs

This is a HECS supported unit. However, Student Services and Amenities (SSAF) fees must be paid prior to the census date.

Laboratory coats are available from UC shop.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

This unit involves working in a Chemistry laboratory. Lab safety requirements are on-line in Canvas.

Unforeseen circumstances beyond the unit convener's control could result in changes to the mode of delivery of lectures, tutorials and practicals (where applicable) and assessments. Students will be advised if this occurs and appropriate alternatives will be arranged.

Next step

Apply now Enquire