Chemistry 1 (CHEM1100)

Course overview

This course provides the foundation in concepts underpinning inorganic, physical and organic chemistry necessary for advancement to the higher levels of study in chemistry and engineering courses. Core topics include: atomic structure, bonding and hybridisation, molecular shape, an introduction to organic chemistry, states of matter and intermolecular forces, chemical equilibrium, aqueous solution equilibria, thermodynamics, and redox chemistry. This course is a prerequisite to CHEM1200 Chemistry 2 for all students in the following programs: BSc, B Biomedical Science, B Biotechnology, B Engineering and B Occupational Health & Safety Science.

This course develops students' understanding of chemistry through a learning progression beginning with atomic structure and ending with the driving forces for chemical change in a system and equilibrium concepts.ﾠ Thus atomic structure and electronic structure set the basis for a discussion of bonding and how molecular shape relates to macroscopic properties.ﾠ Phase changes are introduced to discuss transitions between states of matter (gases, liquids and solids).ﾠ This leads to the first law of thermodynamics with an introduction to the concepts of a "system", "internal energy", "work", and exothermic and endothermic reactions.ﾠ Enthalpy and entropy are defined leading to a discussion of the second law of thermodynamics.ﾠ The principles of thermodynamics set the context for understanding chemical equilibrium in terms of gas phase and heterogeneous equilibria, Le Chatelier's principle, solubility, and colligative properties. The last section of the course applies the principles of equilibrium to the study of solutions and the processes of spontaneous oxidation and reduction.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Students are assumed to have the background knowledge and skills gained through completion of Senior High School Chemistry or CHEM1090 (or equivalent foundation chemistry course). If you have not studied high school chemistry, or it has been greater than 3 years since completing these prior studies, you are advised to seek academic advice and may consider completing CHEM1090 before CHEM1100. Students who have gained a SA in high school chemistry but are not confident in their understanding and skills may be permitted to enrol in CHEM1090 and should seek academic advice (either contact the CHEM1100 coordinator or make an appointment at the Faculty of Science Office).

Numerical and quantitative skills are required for this course and it is assumed that students have completed Maths B or equivalent preparation at high school (students should make an effort to improve these skills in any area they find they are not prepared for).

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

Senior Chemistry or CHEM1090

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Your individual laboratory timetable will be available through a link in the 'Laboratory' folder on the course Blackboard Ultra site, all laboratory experiments will be completed in person in the first year chemistry laboratory (68-220).

For all other activities, check your online timetable regularly.ﾠ

Aims and outcomes

This course develops learning in chemistry as a quantitative molecular science with a focus on critical thinking and aims to help students develop: ﾠ

• A deeper understanding of core chemical concepts that are essential for learning chemistry at a higher level in multiple contexts.
• Proficiency in manipulative techniques, practical skills, critical appraisal of data and communication skills within the chemistry laboratory. ﾠ
• Proficiency in applying quantitative relationships to predict the physical properties of substances and explain chemical systems.
• Self-evaluation skills through working with peers and reflection on thinking informed by feedback.
• Graduate attributes including effective communication skills, independence and creativity, critical judgement and ethical and social understanding.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Laboratory Experiments & Report

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration, Quiz

Weight

25%

Due date

Pre-lab quizzes are due 30 minutes before each laboratory session.

Online worksheet submissions for Experiments 1,2,3 & 5 are due 24 hours after the completion of the relevant laboratory session.

Experiment 4 Lab Report is due for submission 1 week after the completion of the relevant laboratory session (eg if Experiment 4 is scheduled on a Thurs morning, the report will be due the following Thursday by 1 pm. An assessment schedule will be placed in the laboratory folder on Blackboard.

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Experiments 1, 2, 3 & 5 Worksheets must be submitted through LearnSci portal.

The lab report for experiment 4 will be submitted online via Turnitin through Blackboard Ultra.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Extension applications must be received no later than 24 hours after the published assessment due date and time.

Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.

For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here.

For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D).

Information on medical certificates

Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 10% will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point your submission will receive a mark of zero (0) unless an extension has been approved.

In most instances one or more hurdles will apply to your assessment item so you will need to submit it to fulfil the requirements of the course regardless of how late it is and the mark you are likely to be awarded.

Chemistry thinking & literacy

• Team or group-based
• Online

Mode

Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia

Category

Participation/ Student contribution, Quiz

Weight

15%

Due date

Deadlines for all component tasks will be published in Blackboard Ultra Assessment folder.

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submission is online via links provided in Blackboard Ultra

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Extension applications must be received no later than 24 hours after the published assessment due date and time.

Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.

For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here.

For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D).

Information on medical certificates

Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 10% will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point your submission will receive a mark of zero (0) unless an extension has been approved.

In most instances one or more hurdles will apply to your assessment item so you will need to submit it to fulfil the requirements of the course regardless of how late it is and the mark you are likely to be awarded.

In-Semester Exam

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

20%

Due date

In-semester Saturday

27/03/2026 - 3/05/2026

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

End of Semester Exam

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

40%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Assessment Hurdles

In order to pass this course, you must meet ALL of the following requirements (if you do not meet these requirements, the maximum grade you will receive will be a 3):

1. You must obtain a weighted average mark of 40% or more across the two examination components; and
2. You must complete 100% of the laboratory component of the course.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.

Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Laboratory Practical Sessions

In order to pass this course you must complete 100% of the laboratory practical sessions in person including the compulsory induction session at the beginning of semester. You must attend these sessions on the dates that you have been assigned to.

What should I do if I cannot attend my timetabled laboratory practical?

If you are unable to attend your timetabled practical session because of circumstances beyond your control (e.g., illness) you must email chem1prac.scmb@enquire.uq.edu.au immediately to request a reschedule. It is your responsibility to organise a reschedule, do not wait for an email.ﾠDo not delay rescheduling your practical session as soon as you become aware that you cannot attend your timetabled laboratory practical.ﾠﾠ

Reschedules with documentation

Reschedules will only occur in very exceptional circumstances and valid documentation will be required to be submitted as proof to gain a reschedule:

Reason

Examples of Supporting Documentation

ACCIDENT

Accident, not involving medical injury

Police report;ﾠreport or document from an automotive road service (e.g. RACQ) or from an authorised vehicle mechanic.

ATHLETE

Registered Elite Athlete Sporting Event

Letter from sporting body confirming selection and setting out dates of sporting commitments; itinerary.

DEATH

Death / bereavement

Death notice, funeral notice, and evidence of relationship. Where appropriate, confirmation of relationship is required (e.g. statutory declaration, birth certificate).ﾠPlease note a medical certificate is not appropriate if you are applying because you are bereaved.

FAMILY

Serious illness of a family member or close relative

Statement from medical practitioner confirming medical status of patient, relationship to student, and relevant dates.

MEDICAL

Medical grounds

Medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner, registered pharmacist or registered nurse.

PERSONAL

Significant personal problems

Statement from counsellor / psychiatrist / psychologist detailing impact on patient;ﾠpolice report or a statement from a relevant authority.

TRANSPORT

Major transport or traffic delay

Evidence from websites (e.g.Translink, Queensland Police, news websites) that outlines the nature of the event, including the date and time of the event.

Please note:ﾠPersonal statements will not be accepted as supporting documentation, students are advised to contact chem1prac.scmb@enquire.uq.edu.au for advice regarding documentation that can support any exceptional circumstance not listed above.

If you are aware of any future event that may impact on your laboratory practical attendance during semester please advise us as soon as you become aware of this by emailingﾠchem1prac.scmb@enquire.uq.edu.au

Reschedules without documentation

Number of reschedules

Penalty

First reschedule: 30% loss of available marks

Second reschedule of same experiment :90% loss of available marks

First reschedule plus a second reschedule (different experiments): 30% loss of available marks for first experiment and 60% loss of available marks for second experiment

No third reschedule possible

Failure to complete 100% experiments will result in failure of hurdle and consequently failure of the course.

Students who miss a laboratory practical session and do not reschedule this session will be advised to withdraw from the course.

Assessment Submission

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the on time, correct and complete submission of all assessment items.

Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (for example, screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).

In the case of a Blackboard outage, contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to confirm the outage with ITS.

Assessment/Attendance

Notify your Course Coordinator as soon as you become aware of any issue that may affect your ability to meet the assessment/attendance requirements of the course. The my.UQ website and the Course Profile (CP) for your course provide information about your course requirements, the rules associated with your courses and services offered by the University.

A note for repeating students in this course

Only learning activities and/or assessment items completed during the study period of enrolment, including any approved extensions, may contribute to your grade in this course. The whole or partial use of assessment items previously submitted for the same course, for a course at any institution, or for published material, is not permitted without written permission of the Course Coordinator.

Important Note

Turnitin is to be used for assignments/laboratory reports to check for plagiarism. Penalties can be severe for plagiarism.

The University has adopted the following definition of plagiarism: Plagiarism is the act of misrepresenting as one's own original work the ideas, interpretations, words or creative works of another either intentionally or unintentionally. These include published and unpublished documents, designs, music, sounds, images, photographs, computer codes and ideas gained through working in a group. These ideas, interpretations, words or works may be found in print and/or electronic media.

Students should read the UQ Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Blackboard Ultra

Infographics and Learning Pathways are provided in Bb to help students navigate all the learning activities. Please check the Announcements section of the Ultra site at least twice a week for information updates. A single announcement will be emailed at the beginning of each week to remind students of impending assessment deadlines and scheduled activities. We advise students to check progress at least once a week to consider whether they are meeting all the requirements of the course and accessing all the available resources and assessment provided by instructors.

ChemPrep resources are provided to enable preparation for each week's lectures. Problem-solving resources are provided through the course Ultra site and answers will be released at the end of each week to encourage genuine attempts at questions.

Additional material (including the Turnitin portal) may be found on the Ultra site for CHEM1100 at learn.uq.edu.au.

Maths skills in chemistry

Students who are finding that their existing maths needs support to study chemistry might find the following textbook useful:

'Calculations in Chemistry: An introduction", Donald J.Dahm and Eric A.Nelson, W.W. Norton and Co, 2nd edition, 2017. Copies are available through UQ Library and are also available for purchase on campus.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
• AI for Assessment Guide

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:

• Occupational Health and Safety in the Laboratory Guideline