Course Title: Advanced Instrumental Analysis

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Instrumental Analysis

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

CHEM1079

City Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2015,
Summer2017

CHEM1079

City Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020

Course Coordinator: Prof. Oliver Jones

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2632

Course Coordinator Email: oliver.jones@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 223.01.02B

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment, by email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

To complete this course successfully, you should have a background in university-level theoretical and practical chemistry, and have completed at least two years of study in chemical analysis. You are required to have successfully completed the course CHEM1053 (Analytical Spectroscopy) or CHEM1054 - (Instrumental and Environmental Analysis) (or equivalent courses), or to provide evidence of equivalent capabilities.

 


Course Description

The advanced instrumental analysis course will develop your critical thinking, problem solving, communication skills and practical skills in analytical chemistry – the science of obtaining, processing, and communicating information about the composition and structure of substances (in other words, finding out what a sample is made of and how much of each component is present). You will work on problems of identification and quantification associated with chemical, physical or biological processes. The course will enable you to develop transferable skills of the type that graduates will need in their professional careers including (but not limited to), scientific and analytical thinking, presenting written material, record keeping, and research and time management.

 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP229 Bachelor of Applied Sciences (Applied Chemistry):

 PLO-1 Understanding science

PLO-1.1   You will demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and an ability to apply the scientific method in practice.

PLO-2 Scientific knowledge

PLO-2.1    You will have broad knowledge in modern analytical instrumentation with deep knowledge in its core concepts and how to apply it in a range of situations.

PLO 2.2:   You will acquire the cognitive, technical and creative skills to enable you to apply established knowledge and practice concerning modern analytical instrumentation and measurement techniques to a range of situations.

PLO-3 Inquiry and Problem Solving

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 synthesizing 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-3.5   You will possess an ability to accurately record, analyse, interpret and critically evaluate your research findings.

PLO-4   Communication

PLO-4.1 You will be an effective communicator of the chemical sciences by presenting scientific results and information obtained by experiment.

PLO-4.2 You will be able to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions regarding analytical instrumentation to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

PLO-5    Personal and professional responsibility

PLO-5.1  You will develop a capacity for independent and self-directed work.

PLO-5.2  You will work responsibly, safely, legally and ethically.  

PLO-5.3 You will develop an alibility to work collaboratively.

 


The objectives of this course are to develop your knowledge and capabilities in areas of analytical chemistry that are particularly relevant to the separation and analysis of complex mixtures and sample types.

On completion of this course you should be able to:

 

  1. Understand the theoretical principles behind modern analytical instrumentation.
  2. Plan a systematic approach to separation science and chemical analysis and be able to apply that knowledge to solve real world problems.
  3. Develop a range of laboratory skills relating to instrument operation, observation and measurement, appropriate to final year studies.
  4. Construct laboratory reports in a concise, systematic and professional manner.

 

The laboratory component will further develop your practical capabilities. At the end of the course you should be able to:

 

  1. Safely and efficiently perform advanced laboratory processes and tests related to modern analytical instrumentation.
  2. Explain the importance of laboratory risk-assessment strategies and safe handling of chemicals and equipment, as well as health, occupational and environmental issues; and accessing sources of chemical data and making appropriate use of this information when necessary

 


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are as follows:

 

  • Attendance at lectures where syllabus material will be presented and explained, and the subject will be illustrated with demonstrations and examples;
  • Completion of tutorial questions and laboratory experiments designed to give further practice in the application of theory and procedures, and to give feedback on student progress and understanding;
  • Completion of written assignments consisting of numerical and other problems requiring an integrated understanding of the subject matter; and
  • Private study, working through the course as presented in classes (lectures and tutorials) and learning materials, and gaining practice at solving conceptual and mathematical problems.

Total Study Hours

Teacher guided hours: 60 hrs/semester

Learner directed hours: 60 hrs/semester

This will comprise face-to-face lectures, laboratory sessions and self-directed learning.

You will be expected to undertake tutorial problems and past examination papers to assist with the development of logical thinking and problem solving skills: this activity will guide you with the accumulation of a suitable body of knowledge in the topic area, and provide you with an indication of your understanding of the lecture material.

 


Overview of Learning Resources

The recommend textbook text book for CHEM1079 is

- Harris, D.C. (2015), Quantitative Chemical Analysis, 9th Edition, Macmillan.

The 8th edition of this book is also acceptable; both can be found in the RMIT library.

You will also be able to access course information and additional learning materials (including lecture handouts, presentations, tutorial sheets and links to freely available online learning resources) via the 'myRMIT' website (also known as Canvas or the Learning Hub).

Lists of relevant reference texts, online learning material and freely accessible internet sites will also be placed on the Learning Hub/myRMIT CHEM1079 site.

Laboratory Practical Manuals will be provided to you.

You are expected to make your own notes in lectures and to make use of the extra learning material provided.

 


Overview of Assessment

Note that:

[X] 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 Pro Vice-Chancellor (Leaning & Teaching).

The assessment for this course will be based on a combination of a formal examination at the end of semester, and your practical reports. Passes in both the practical and the theory sections of the assessment are hurdles that you must get over in order to pass CHEM1079

Assessment tasks

 

Assessment 1: Practical Reports (x9)

Weighting 50%

This assessment task supports CLOs 5-6

 

Assessment 2: Examination (x1)

Weighting 50%

This assessment supports CLOs 1-4