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MOLECULAR STRUCTURE & SPECTROSCOPY

CHE3MSS

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

Molecular structure lies at the very heart of chemistry. It accounts for the properties of molecules - how they function, interact with their environment and undergo reactions. Determining molecular structure and understanding its implications enables the chemist to characterize chemical samples and design new molecules. In this multi-faceted subject that builds on your previous study of chemistry, you will learn about powerful and complementary modern approaches to understand molecular structure, combining models of chemical bonding and experimental characterization of structure. You will learn about theories of chemical bonding from Lewis structures, VSEPR and valence bond theory to a focus on molecular orbital theory and its applications. Molecular characterization techniques of mass spectrometry, IR, Raman, UV-Vis, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopy, and their application to organic, inorganic, biological and gas-phase systems will be explored. In this subject you will also gain experience in conducting and interpreting a variety of spectroscopy techniques.

School: Molecular Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Evan Robertson

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Students must have completed CHE2FCA and CHE2FCB or Students must be admitted in the following course: SMCHS

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: CHE3ADA

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Physical Chemistry

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Atkins, de Paula and Keeler

Year: 2018

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Oxford University Press

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of principles and concepts of molecular structure, bonding and spectroscopy.
02. Analyse and solve problems in chemical sciences by evaluating the qualitative and quantitative chemical information obtained through interpretation of spectroscopic data.
03. Exhibit professional integrity and safe laboratory practices when designing and performing experiments, collecting data and reporting results.
04. Write coherent descriptions of chemical principles and spectroscopic techniques and report experimental findings with well supported interpretations using correctly referenced professional prose.
05. Verbally communicate chemical knowledge, supported by legitimate evidence and appropriately defended to peers or professionals.

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Evan Robertson

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 11 - 22
One 5.00 hours laboratory class other recurrence on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
The laboratory program consists of 2 wet lab classes (5 hours each) and 4 dry lab tutorials (2.5 hours each) over the semester. A schedule of the experiments and other learning activities will be made available to students on the LMS at the start of semester.

Lecture/WorkshopWeek: 10 - 22
Three 1.00 hour lecture/workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
Two 5.00 hours seminar per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Laboratory safety introduction and oral presentation workshop will be held in the first week of semester. Oral presentations will be held in the last week of semester.

TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
Two 2.50 hours tutorial per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
The laboratory program consists of 2 wet lab classes (5 hours each) and 4 dry lab tutorials (2.5 hours each) over the semester. A schedule of the experiments and other learning activities will be made available to students on the LMS at the start of semester.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*

A 2-hour written exam (equivalent to 1500 essay words)A 1.5hr paper scheduled for 2 hours in the central examination period.

N/AN/AN/ANo35SILO1, SILO2

Written Test (equivalent to 600 essay words)An in-class test during semester.

N/AN/AN/ANo15SILO1, SILO2

Two assignments (equivalent to 900 essay words)Two tasks to be completed during semester which are designed to help students master concepts and solve chemistry problems.

N/AN/AN/ANo20SILO1, SILO2, SILO4

Laboratory work, written reports and oral presentation (equivalent to 1500 essay words)HURDLE to pass subject, and for accreditation with RACI. Students must complete a minimum 75% of lab assessment, and must obtain a score of at least 50% for the laboratory component of the subject. Develops and assess competency in practical skills, and in data handling and reporting.

N/AN/AN/AYes30SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5