SLE213 - The Analytical Chemist's Toolbox

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Previously coded as:SBC211
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Damien Callahan
Prerequisite:

One of SLE152 or SLE155

Corequisite:

SLE010

Incompatible with:

SBC231

Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

2 x 1 hour online lectures per week, 1 x 1 hour seminar per week, 5 x 4 hour practical experience (laboratory) per trimester.

Content

This unit presents a platform for gaining a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of analytical chemistry with a particular focus on spectroscopy, separation science and mass spectrometry. Chemical characterisation and measurement of analytes of interest are important for many fields and as such the unit will focus on the important junctions between analytical chemistry and application to areas such as forensic, environmental, food, biomedical and marine science. The unit will focus on the instrumentation found in an analytical chemist's 'toolbox' and will build the cohorts key skills in experimental validation, equipment calibration, practical laboratory considerations and data handling. The applications of modern spectroscopy incorporating aiding the elucidation of molecular structure and the determination of chemical concentration will be presented. The real world challenges associated with the separation of analytes form complex sample matrices will be presented with a focus on how technological approaches can be used to overcome these issues in order to empower the modern analytical chemist.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

ULO1

Apply separation science and spectroscopic concepts and knowledge to scientific problems and scenarios.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO2

Document key information from the practical and apply recognised practical methods and techniques to analytical chemistry problems. Evaluate and report the outcomes to the RACI professional standards.

GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO6: Self-management

ULO3

Evaluate scientific principles from peer reviewed literature and present the concepts in a professional poster to a lay scientific audience.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO4

Evaluate peers and respond to feedback on a professional activity to develop skills peer review of scientific concepts.

GLO2: Communication

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1
Online quizzes
Four 60-minute online quizzes 20% (4 x 5%) Week 2, 5, 8 and 11
Assessment 2
Practical reports
Five written practical reports 60% (5 x 12%) Week following practicals
Assessment 3
Scientific presentation
Scientific oral presentation and peer review 20% (15%, 5%) (Presentation, Review) Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

Prescribed text(s): Christian et al ( Editors ), 2013, Analytical Chemistry, 7th Ed, John Wiley & Sons.

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE213 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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