Related Course/s:

A unit of study in: Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry/Chemistry), Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology), Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)/Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications), Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)/Bachelor of Business , 
Bachelor of Science (Psychology/Biochemistry) .

Aims & Objectives:

During the unit we aim:

• To develop an understanding of the principles of phase equilibria and their application to common methods of purification.
• To further develop basic organic chemistry knowledge.
• To interpret inorganic principles for main group and transition metal elements and compounds.
• To quantitatively interpret chemical information presented in a spreadsheet and on a graph.
• To extend students' knowledge of thermodynamics to a mature view.

Teaching Methods:

Lectures, practical work and assignments

Assessment:

Each topic is worth 20% and all topics will have an examination. Some topics may also include a contribution from an assignment/laboratory work. One or two topics will be examined during the semester.

Generic Skills Outcomes:

Students are expected to enhance several of their graduate attributes during this unit and should consult with your lecturer if not clear as to how this unit achieves this. The graduate attributes which relate to this unit help to produce students who are:

Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas.

• Have a basic understanding of the theoretical principles involved in the general area.
• Have an in-depth technical competence in the specific (core) discipline.
• Can apply specific knowledge of the (core) discipline to real situations.
• Are able to engage in informed critical inquiry.

Adaptable and manage change.

• Are self-motivated.
• Have multifaceted research and problem solving skills.
• Can understand problem identification, formulation and solution.

Content:

Thermodynamics:

• Revision of enthalpy, heat capacity and the Kirchoff equation, the second law of thermodynamics, entropy, free energy and spontaneity.
• Projection of spontaneity predictions to alternative temperatures.
• Calculation of equilibrium constants from tabulated data.
• Chemical potentials.
• Available work.

Phase Equilibria:

• Chemical potentials, spontaneous diffusion and stable phases.
• The Gibb's Phase Rule, the lever rule, one and two component phase diagrams, fractional and steam distillation, solvent ex-traction, melting point test for purity, fractional crystallisation and zone refining.

Organic Chemistry:

• Acidity and basicity.
• Strength of acids and bases.
• Keto-enol tautomerism. Carbanions.
• Carbonyl -substitution and condensation reactions.
• Wittig reaction.
• Applications to synthesis.

Inorganic Chemistry:

• Periodic trends in atomic properties.
• Bonding, structure, and physical properties.
• Thermodynamic and kinetic principles.
• Thermochemical cycles.
• Acid-base and redox data.

 Computers in Chemistry:

• Common personal computer software packages, concentrating on Excel. 
• Applications involving the simulation of chromatographic resolution and kinetics using Excel.

Reading Materials:

Computers in Chemistry (printed notes), Swinburne Press.
McMurray, J, Organic Chemistry, 5th edn, Brooks/Cole, London, 2000
Morison, RT & Boyd, RN, Organic Chemistry, 6th edn, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1992.