01. Demonstrate thorough understanding of "Key Principles of Chemistry" as defined by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and employ experimental methods of investigation of the defined principles.

Activities:

During computer classes students will answer short questions individually or as part of small groups, reinforcing material being covered. In tutorials and in their own time students will apply these concepts to complete computational modelling.

02. Apply professional integrity and safe laboratory practices when designing and performing experiments, collecting data and reporting results, satisfy the professional accreditation requirements of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Activities:

Working individually or in small groups students will acquire practical skills required for the manipulation of chemicals for chemical synthesis and learn how to use modern instrumentation to perform chemical analyses. Student laboratory reports and assignments are compared to ensure authenticity and mark allocation or penalty applied.

03. Apply relevant mathematical, graphical and computational methods to acquire, manipulate, interpret and evaluate chemical data and summarise results using appropriate significant figures and units.

Activities:

Student calculations are submitted in laboratory reports and molecular design exercises and are assessed for accuracy of result and logical structure. The evaluation and reporting of errors and uncertainties is particularly dealt with in the laboratory assessment. The molecular design topic involves an extensive set of computer-based tutorials in the place of lectures.

04. Write coherent descriptions of chemical principles and report experimental results with well supported interpretations using correctly referenced professional prose.

Activities:

Laboratory reports: students submit laboratory reports throughout the semester that are marked against a rubric for professional presentation. Reports returned in a timely manner and annotated with helpful comments to aid improvement. Molecular Design exercises: students submit exercises throughout the semester that are marked against a rubric for professional prose and accurate description of information including references where appropriate. Exercises are returned and annotated with helpful comments to aid improvement.

05. Solve abstract, routine and real-world problems of chemical relevance by sourcing, collating and summarising trusted scientific information.

Activities:

In tutorial problem classes and assignments students must apply chemical concepts to solve a variety of problems and draw from appropriate chemical data sources to do so. An extended lab-based project will be introduced that involves group work, and has aspects of experiment planning, task allocation, research and reporting.

06. Research, design, and implement laboratory based strategies to tackle complex scenarios as part of a team.

Activities:

Bachelor degree students undertake an extended lab-based project as part of a team. This incorporates review of the relevant literature, design of experiments, task allocation, completion of a project plan, peer evaluation, undertaking a series of experiments as part of the multi-faceted project, and communicating the results via written reports and a poster presentation.