Overview
This unit will provide you with the fundamental principles of chemistry that underpin the medical sciences and provide a strong foundation on which you can develop an understanding of biochemistry and molecular science. You will gain an appreciation of the nature of matter, classic atomic structure and how energy is involved in bond formation. These concepts will be developed to explain the forces between molecules that govern chemical interaction. You will be introduced to the chemistry of electrolytes, acids, bases and buffers. This study will be supported by simple calculations to assist you in relating to the pH scale. The study of organic chemistry and molecules central to the life sciences will enable you to develop an understanding of the biochemistry and molecular biology relevant to your specific discipline. The naming and classifying of chemical compounds will enable you to be conversant with accepted scientific terms. Tutorials and on-line activities will complement the theoretical knowledge gained in lectures and provide you with the basic mathematical and analytical tools required in the application of chemistry to your specific discipline.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE
The work booklet was good and gave a thorough guide to the concepts, had good worked examples and practice questions.
I recommend that the teaching team maintain high quality in the work booklet by regularly reviewing and updating it.
Feedback from SUTE
Recorded lectures and tutorial videos need to be updated and refreshed on the Moodle site.
I recommend that the unit coordinator and the chemistry teaching team collaborate with the Head of Course to develop a strategic approach for updating the lecture and tutorial videos as soon as possible.
Feedback from SUTE
Provide some feedback for Assessment 3 Online Test.
In the future, the marking team should ensure they implement feedback mechanisms to help students receive the support they need to succeed.
- Apply concepts of atomic structure to explain molecular bonding and nuclear reactivity
- Apply chemical concepts to healthcare situations
- Identify categories of organic compounds and their potential chemical interactions
- Perform basic chemical calculations.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 3 - Online Test - 30% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft Word
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
t.h.jones@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Chemistry
Matter
Atoms and Molecules
The Periodic Table
Chapter
Chemistry Foundations Study Guide -
Topics 1, 2 and 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Ion Formation
Bonding
Intermolecular Forces
Chapter
Chemistry Foundations Study Guide -
Topics 4, 5, 6 and 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Mole
Mole-Mass Conversions
Solutions and Dilutions
Chapter
Chemistry Foundations Study Guide -
Topics 8 and 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chemical Reactions 1
Chapter
Chemistry Foundations Study Guide -
Topics 10 and 11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chemical Reactions 2
Chapter
Chemistry Foundations Study Guide -
Topics 11 and 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Electrolytes
Acids and Bases
Chapter
Chemistry Foundations Study Guide -
Topics 13 and 14
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Buffers
Introduction to Nuclear Chemistry
Chapter
Chemistry Foundations Study Guide -
Topics 15 and 16
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Saturated Hydrocarbons
Chapter
Chemistry Foundations Study Guide -
Topics 17 and 18
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
Aromatic Compounds
Chapter
Chemistry Foundations Study Guide -
Topics 19 and 20
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Alcohols
Ethers
Alkyl Halides
Thiols and Amines
Chapter
Chemistry Foundations Study Guide -
Topics 21, 22 and 23
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Aldehydes and Ketones
Carboxylic Acids and their Derivatives
Chapter
Chemistry Foundations Study Guide -
Topics 24 and 25
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Prepare for Assessment 3
Chapter
Review Topics 17-25
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students must demonstrate their core skills and knowledge. Students are responsible for upholding academic integrity in all aspects of their work when undertaking education in this unit, including assessment. It is expected that all assessments are their own work; no part of the assessment should be completed by another person, group, or contract cheating.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
Assessment 1 - Online Quiz, is designed to evaluate students' understanding of Topics 1-7, corresponding to the lectures and tutorials from Weeks 1 and 2 of this unit. This assessment requires students to apply concepts presented in lectures and tutorials to answers a series of multiple-choice questions.
The quiz is not timed, and students are allowed two attempts. The highest score of the two attempts will be recorded.
Note: Quiz questions are generated randomly and students will receive different questions on subsequent attempts.
GenAI use: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
All quiz responses must be their own. Collusion with others, or contract cheating this assessment is strictly prohibited. Students may be required to provide further information to verify that the answers provided are their own and that they understand the concepts being assessed.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
1
Other
Week 3 Thursday (31 July 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Assessment 1 - Online Quiz, opens Week 3 - Wednesday (30 July 2025) at 10:00 am AEST and closes Week 3 - Thursday (31 July 2025) 4:00 pm AEST.
Week 3 Friday (1 Aug 2025)
Marks will be released after the completion of each attempt. Answers to the quiz questions will be released after the quiz has closed.
All questions carry equal weight, with one mark awarded for each correct response and no marks awarded for incorrect answers.
- Apply concepts of atomic structure to explain molecular bonding and nuclear reactivity
2 Written Assessment
Assessment 2 - Calculations and Short Answer Questions, is designed to assess students' comprehension of Topics 8-16, which correspond to the lectures and tutorials delivered in Weeks 3–7 of this unit. This assessment requires students to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts covered and apply them to answer a series of questions.
All workings must be provided for calculation questions. Correct units, chemical equations, formulae, chemical notation, balanced chemical reactions and physical states of substances must be included where applicable. Short-answer questions may require you to explain, justify, describe, analyse, or evaluate information and provide a suitably detailed written response. All written responses must be referenced using the Vancouver referencing style.
Marks will be awarded for each question as indicated in the Assessment 2 – Questions Document, which will be available on the CHEM11042 Moodle site. Marks will not be awarded for incorrect units, failure to use the correct decimal places or significant figures, omission of SI units where required, incorrect balanced chemical equations and failure to include relevant formulae in your calculations and failure to provide references and in-text citations in accordance with the Vancouver referencing style. The Assessment 2 – Questions Document will be available on Moodle during Week 7 of the term.
GenAI Use: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
All written responses, calculations, workings, and other details in students' assessment submissions must be their own work. It is essential to include detailed workings, such as formulae, balanced chemical reactions with physical states of substances clearly indicated, and correct SI units, clearly demonstrating their understanding of the unit content.
Collusion with others or contract cheating any part of the answers for this assessment is strictly prohibited. Students may be required to provide further information to verify that the answers provided are their own and that they understand the concepts being assessed.
Week 8 Friday (12 Sept 2025) 11:55 pm AEST
Assessment 2 - Calculations and Short Answer Questions, available Week 7 - Friday (5 September 2025) at 12:00 pm AEST and due Week 8- Friday (12 September 2025) 11:55 pm AEST.
Week 10 Friday (26 Sept 2025)
Marks and feedback files will be returned to students via the Moodle site.
The Assessment 2 – Questions Document, which will be available on the CHEM11042 Moodle site during Week 7, details the maximum marks allocated for each question. Marks will be awarded based on the accuracy and completeness of responses, in accordance with the criteria outlined in the document. Partial marks may be granted where appropriate.
Marks will not be awarded, either partially or fully, for responses that include incorrect answers, missing or inaccurate formulae, incorrectly balanced chemical equations or missing indications of the physical states of substances, incorrect use of SI units, failure to apply the correct number of significant figures, inadequate explanations, absence of appropriate references and in-text citations using the Vancouver referencing style, as well as for other errors.
- Apply concepts of atomic structure to explain molecular bonding and nuclear reactivity
- Apply chemical concepts to healthcare situations
- Perform basic chemical calculations.
3 Online Test
Assessment 3 - Timed Online Test, is designed to assess students' comprehension of concepts presented in this unit. This assessment assesses Topics 17-25, which correspond to the lectures and tutorials delivered in weeks 8-11. The test is strictly timed, with a maximum duration of three (3) hours (180 minutes).
The Timed Online Test (3-hour test) will be accessible on the unit Moodle site for a 24-hour period. Students are allowed two attempts. Each attempt is strictly limited to 3 hours. The final marks for this assessment will be the highest score achieved across their two (2) attempts. The timer will begin as soon as students start the test.
The test may include multiple-choice questions, drag and drop style questions and questions requiring short written (typed) answers. It is essential that students follow all instructions provided on the Moodle site and within the test itself. Where indicated, students must show their working, including formulae, chemical reactions, and SI units. A practice test will be available before the actual test to help them become familiar with the online functionality of Moodle online tests.
GenAI use: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
All answers to the Online Test must be their own. Collusion with others including contract cheating to produce any part of the answers to this assessment is strictly prohibited. Students may be required to provide further information to demonstrate that the answers provided are their own and that they understand the concepts being assessed.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 10:00 am AEST
The 3-hour Timed Online Test will be accessible on the unit Moodle site for a 24-hour window. It will open at 10:00 AM AEST on Thursday, 9 October 2025, and must be completed by 10:00 AM AEST on Friday, 10 October 2025. The timer will begin as soon as you start the test.
Marks and feedback files will be returned via the Moodle site.
The maximum marks for each question are specified in the Online Test. Marks will be awarded for each question or partial response as outlined in the test criteria. Marks will not be awarded for incorrect answers, missing formulae, failure to show working, incomplete or incorrect explanations, incorrect organic nomenclature, incorrect organic structures, improper use of significant figures, or other errors.
- Identify categories of organic compounds and their potential chemical interactions
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
