This course is divided into two parts, the first is designed to develop an understanding of the structure and functionality of solid state materials. Topics to be covered include solid state, sol-gel and thin film synthesis, crystal chemistry, crystallography, ceramic processing and the relation between structure and function. The second is designed to develop an understanding of the structure, synthesis and properties of soft materials (i.e. polymers), and will include an overview of the different families of polymers, their structures, physical properties and uses. Also covered will be the various methods of polymer synthesis with an emphasis on how the synthetic methods used affect the resulting physical and chemical polymer properties, and the different methods of polymer characterisation and an examination of the associated physical properties they measure. The properties of some technologically important functional materials will be highlighted throughout this course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Explain and rationalise chemical bonding in the solid state and how structure affects the properties of materials.
2. Understand basic crystallographic and crystal chemical concepts such as unit cells, Bravais lattices, fractional coordinates, Miller indices, close packing, phase diagrams etc. and how to apply them in rationalising simple inorganic crystal structure types.
3. Understand concepts such as real and reciprocal space and explain how structure factor calculations and diffraction techniques can be used to determine atomic arrangements in crystals.
4. Synthesise crystalline materials via solid state reaction and understand the reaction dynamics of sol-gel and hydrothermal reaction processes and the use of such procedures to synthesise functional nanomaterials and thin films .
5. Explain and rationalise the physical properties of a range of functional materials including conductors, semi-conductors, insulators, dielectric, ferroelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and electro-optic materials etc
6. Describe the main families and subfamilies of polymers, their uses, structures and synthesis.
7. Explain how the various synthetic methods used, and their reaction kinetics, can dramatically alter the chemical and physical properties of polymers, and be able to predict simple properties like polymer molecular weight distributions based on knowledge of the reaction conditions.
8. Explain and rationalise the main physical properties of soft materials in terms of their dependence on polymer composition, molecular weight and microstructure.
9. Explain the principles of some of the key techniques used to characterise polymers.

Research-Led Teaching

Chemistry is essentially an experimental science. The laboratory program consists of a variety of experimental exercises designed to:

1. illustrate and develop competence in a range of chemical techniques and manipulative skills.
2. emphasise (particularly in first term) the importance of a quantitative analytical approach to chemical systems.
3. develop an awareness of the scope and limitation of experimental observation and accuracy.
4. illustrate chemical topics, principles and concepts.

Field Trips

N/A

Additional Course Costs

N/A

Examination Material or equipment

http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examinationconduct

Required Resources

You need purchase your own laboratory coat, your own safety glasses and a notebook to record data in for laboratory classes. Writing data on bits of paper is not good scientific practice. Laboratory coats ($29.95) and safety glasses ($7.50) can be purchased from the University Bookshop. You can also purchase a lab coat from the ANU Chemistry Society.

Recommended Resources

Course Website – online resources

Login using your student ID and password at http://wattle.anu.edu.au to find the course websites for CHEM2213. You will be automatically added to these websites the evening

after you have enrolled in the courses via ISIS. If you cannot see the online site/s, please contact the Undergraduate Teaching Administrator (rsc.teaching@anu.edu.au).

These course websites will contain lecture material, extra resources, self-test questions and discussion board postings. Please check these sites at least once per week for

important notices.

The prescribed textbook is:

Course notes will be available. As well, the following books (available from the library) will be useful.

For Soft Materials:

• Principles of Polymerization. George Odian, Fourth Edition, Wiley (2004)

For Hard Materials:

• Solid State Chemistry and its applications (Second [student] Edition), Anthony R West, Wiley, 2014.
• Materials Chemistry, Bradley D. Fahlman, Springer, 2008.
• Chemical bonding in Solids, Jeremy K. Burdett, Oxford, 1995.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course: laboratory reports as well as in the mid-semester exam. Students are encouraged to go through their marked exam and discuss the feedback with the Convenor.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Summary of penalties for exceeding word limits. Some assessed items in this class may have a maximum word limit. If submissions exceed these maximum lengths then the following penalties will apply: (a) 5% penalty if word limit exceeded by up to 5%; (b) 10% penalty if word limit exceeded by between 5% and 10%; (c) 10% penalty if word limit exceeded by >10%, and material beyond the 10% word limit will not be marked. 

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Soft materials lectures (3 per week), and lab safety induction
2	Soft materials lectures (3 per week)	Lab 1 ( Wed 14:00 - 18:00)
3	Soft materials lectures(3 per week)	Lab 2 ( Wed 14:00 - 18:00)
4	Soft materials lectures (3 per week)	Lab 3 ( Wed 14:00 - 18:00)
5	Soft materials lectures (3 per week)	Lab 4 ( Wed 14:00 - 18:00)
6	Soft materials lectures(3 per week)	Lab 5 ( Wed 14:00 - 18:00)
7	Hard materials lectures(3 per week)	mid semester exam
8	Hard materials lectures (3 per week)
9	Hard materials lectures (3 per week)	Lab 6 ( Wed 14:00 - 18:00)
10	Hard materials lectures(3 per week)	Lab 7 ( Wed 14:00 - 18:00)
11	Hard materials lectures (3 per week)	Lab 8 ( Wed 14:00 - 18:00)
12	Hard materials lectures(3 per week)

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Mid semester exam	36 %	1,2,3,4
End of Semester Exam	36 %	1,2,3,4
Lab Attendance and Reports	28 %

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

All the labs will be operated on campus.

Examination(s)

1 x exam in week 7

1 x end of semester exam (November)

Supplementary Assessment

You will be formally advised after the end of semester examination whether you need to undertake supplementary assessment.

Assessment Task 1

Mid semester exam

The mid semester exam will assess lecture material by Dr Luke Connal.

Assessment Task 2

End of Semester Exam

The End of Semester exam will assess lecture material by Prof Yun Liu and Dr Teng Lu.

Assessment Task 3

Lab Attendance and Reports

Attendance at ALL laboratory sessions and submission of ALL laboratory reports.

Laboratory Attendance Rule

The Research School of Chemistry considers the laboratory component of all courses to be an integral part of each course and as such all laboratory sessions are compulsory. It is therefore the policy of the Research School of Chemistry that students will attend all laboratory classes scheduled for any course. Absences must be notified (in advance, if possible) to the course convenor, and accompanied by adequate and appropriate documentation justifying the absence.

 

Laboratory classes (4 hr sessions) will run for most of the semester, beginning in the second week.

 

The submission of all laboratory reports is compulsory. There is a penalty of 5% per working day for the late submission of laboratory reports.

 

A pass in the prescribed laboratory work is required in order to gain a pass in CHEM2213/6213.

A schedule of experiments will be displayed on the CHEM2213/6213 WATTLE site.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

There will be no hardcopy submission required. The submission will be online through Wattle.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Marked laboratory reports will be available via Wattle two weeks after submission.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

If the standard of a lab report is deemed unsatisfactory by the Course Convenor, you may be asked to resubmit the report.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students