610-121 Chemistry (Advanced Studies Program)

Credit cannot be gained for this subject and 610-141, 610-051 or 610-161

A study score of at least 44 in VCE Chemistry or its equivalent. Entry to this subject will be by invitation

Upon completion of 610-121 students should have an understanding of the place of chemistry in society and the physical environment; the nature of gases; basic energy concepts; the nature of chemical change; the nature of chemical equilibria; the structures of hydrocarbon and main group molecules; the important functional groups; spectroscopic identification of organic compounds; the nature of techniques of measurement; the evolution of current theories; the terminology used (nomenclature).

In the practical component students should develop basic laboratory skills (observation, analytical techniques, report writing); oral communication skills; independent learning skills; an appreciation of the importance of instrumental methods in chemistry; and an appreciation of the health and safety issues associated with the safe handling and disposal of laboratory chemicals.

The subject provides an introduction to gases, real and ideal; thermodynamics; energy, enthalpy, entropy; chemical kinetics; chemical equilibrium; homogeneous, heterogeneous, equilibrium calculations; acid-base chemistry; atomic spectra and atomic structure; wave nature of matter; Schrodinger equation; molecular structure and bonding in alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatics; organic nomenclature; stereochemistry; functional groups; and methods in spectroscopic identification of organic compounds.

A 3-hour written examination at the end of semester plus short tests and assignments which represent 80% of the final assessment. Practical work is continously assessed and represents 20% of the final assessment. Practical work must be completed satisfactorily before credit can be granted for this subject.

• S Zumdahl, Chemical Principles. 4th Edition. Houghton Mifflin 2002.
• J McMurry, Organic Chemistry. 5th edn, Brooks/Cole, 2000.