CHEM 2550 - Physical and Inorganic Chemistry II
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code CHEM 2550 Course Physical and Inorganic Chemistry II Coordinating Unit Chemistry Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 7.5 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites CHEM 1100 or CHEM 1310 and CHEM 1200 or CHEM 1311 or CHEM 1101 and CHEM 1201 and CHEM 1312 Incompatible CHEM 2510, CHEM 2520 Assessment Exam, Practical work, assignments Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor David Huang
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1 provide a firm understanding of how metals interact with molecules containing the lighter elements of the p-block; understand how symmetry arguments allow a rational understanding of bonding in complex molecules 2 use quantum models to elucidate molecular motions; describe the underlying principles of chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics and kinetics, and be able to clearly communicate the link between these quantitative means of characterising chemical reactions 3 as part of a team or individually, design, conduct, analyse and interpret results of an experiment, and effectively communicate these in
written reports and other formats4 predict likely spectral characteristics of given molecular species, and be able to rationalise those characteristics on the basis of structural and electronic arguments 5 gain an understanding and appreciation for how fundamental physical and inorganic chemistry impacts on life, environmental and industrial processes University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1,2,4 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1-5 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
1,3,4 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
3,5 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
3,5 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
3,5 -
Learning Resources
Recommended Resources
‘Physical Chemistry’ (Engel and Reid, 3rd Edition, Pearson, 2013) -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course content will be delivered as below:
• Lectures 36 x 1 hour sessions (3 per week)
• Tutorials 12 x 1 hour sessions (1 per week)
• Practicals 10 x 4 hour sessions (include the lab familiarisations sessions)Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).Learning Activities Summary
Applications of Symmetry (9 lectures, 3 tutorials)
This section of the course will introduce students to symmetry operations and elements, point groups and applications of symmetry (e.g. chirality,polarity, and IR spectroscopy). The material will stress the importance of symmetry considerations in the construction of molecular orbital diagrams, and how these can be used to understand geometric and electronic structures of molecules.
Metal-Ligand Chemistry (9 lectures, 3 tutorials)
Building on symmetry content, this part of the course will examine the chemistry of metal-ligand complexes, with key topics including Lewis acids and bases, pi-acceptor ligands, electronic configuration versus molecular geometry, selection rules, and UV-Vis
spectroscopy.
Thermodynamics and Kinetics (9 lectures, 3 tutorials)
Thermodynamics - enthalpy; entropy; free energy; chemical potential; applications [reverse osmosis, dialysis, osmometry].
Kinetics - introduction to kinetics, first order reactions, second order reactions, applications
Quantum Phenomena (9 lectures, 3 tutorials)
Use quantum models such as particle-in-a-box, rigid rotor, and harmonic oscillator, to explain and predict vibrational and rotational energy levels.
Practicals (10 x 4-hour sessions from Weeks 2 – 11)
The 4-hour session in the first week is devoted to safe working practices in the chemistry laboratory, with a focus on risk management, chemical risk assessment and lab familiarisation for students who have not completed level II chemistry courses in Semester 1. Three weeks of skills based sessions devoted to experimental design, separation and purification methodologies for inorganic materials, measurement and analysis techniques, data acquisition and data handling with a variety of software will follow. The remaining sessions will introduce the students to a variety of experimental techniques to synthesise inorganic compounds and perform measurements and analysis. In addition, students will learn to use computational methods to predict physical properties of atomic and molecular systems. Training and direction on communicating the results of these investigations in various formats will be provided.Specific Course Requirements
Attendance is compulsory at all scheduled chemistry practical sessions.
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes Hurdle (Yes/No) Outcomes being assessed Approximate timing of
assessment
(week of teaching period)Assignments Summative 10% No 1, 2, 4 2-12 Practical Reports Formative & Summative 30% No 1, 3, 4, 5 2-11 Exam Summative 60% Yes (45%) 1, 2, 4 Exam Period Assessment Related Requirements
To pass this course, students must attain a minimum of 45% for the examination and satisfactorily complete all practicals. Students who attain a final course grade of at least 45% but do not attain a minimum of 45% for the exam may be offered an Additional Academic Exam during the Replacement/Additional Assessment period, in line with the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy.
Practical work is compulsory – this includes attendance, conduct of required experimental work, attendance at demonstrator interviews (as required) and submission of laboratory reports. The learning outcomes for this course are substantially dependent on laboratory experience and practice. Therefore, failure to satisfactorily complete all practical classes in a semester will result in a grade of FAIL being recorded for the course. Students with medical or compassionate reasons for non-attendance will be given an opportunity to make up missed practical sessions.Assessment Detail
Assignments (10%)
There will be 4 assignments, each worth 2.5%. Each assignment will consist of a series of short-answer and/or multiple-choice questions. Students will submit the assignments electronically.
Practical Reports (30%)
Students will complete 8 practicals during the semester and submit reports for each practical. These reports are important in assessing the students' understanding of the practical and their competency in the skills involved in each practical.
Final exam (60%)
The end-of-semester examination will be based primarily on lecture/tutorial material and will consist of a series of short-answer and/or multiple-choice questions.Submission
Submission of Assigned Work:
Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Instructions on how to submit your work and coversheets will be provide on MyUni.
Extensions for Assessment Tasks
Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from: http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/current/
Late submission of assessments
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.Submission of Assigned Work: Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Instructions on how to submit your work and coversheets will be provide on MyUni.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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