SLE213 - The Analytical Chemist's Toolbox
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| Previously coded as: | SBC211 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Damien Callahan |
| Prerequisite: | One of SLE152 or SLE155 |
| Corequisite: | SLE010 |
| Incompatible with: | SBC231 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 2 x 1 hour online lectures per week, 5 x 2 hour seminars per trimester, 5 x 4 hour practical experience (laboratory) per trimester. |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
This unit will develop students’ understanding of the fundamental principles of analytical chemistry. Given the critical role that chemical characterization and measurement has across various fields, this unit will highlight the intersections between analytical chemistry and its applications in forensic science, environmental monitoring, food analysis, biomedical research, and marine science. Students will gain hands-on experience with key instrumentation in an analytical chemist’s ‘toolbox’ while developing essential skills in method validation, equipment calibration, laboratory best practices, and data analysis. A core component of the unit will be the application of modern spectroscopic techniques for chemical identification and concentration determination, separation science and mass spectrometry. Additionally, students will explore the real-world challenges associated with separating analytes from complex sample matrices, with a focus on how technological advancements can address these challenges and enhance the capabilities of modern analytical chemists.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Apply separation science and spectroscopic concepts and knowledge to scientific problems and scenarios. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Document key information from the practical and apply recognised practical methods and techniques to analytical chemistry problems. Evaluate and report the outcomes to the RACI professional standards. | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO3 | Evaluate scientific principles from peer reviewed literature and present the concepts in a professional poster to a lay scientific audience. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Evaluate peers and respond to feedback on a professional activity to develop skills peer review of scientific concepts. | GLO2: Communication |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 Quizzes | Four 60-minute quizzes (during seminars) | 20% (4 x 5%) | During seminars |
| Assessment 2 Practical reports | Five pre-laboratory tasks Five written practical reports | 60% (5 x 2%, 5 x 10%) (Tasks, reports) | Pre-laboratory prior to practical class Report due week following practicals |
| Assessment 3 Scientific presentation | Scientific oral presentation and peer review: Part A: Presentation slides and peer review Part B: Oral presentation (on-campus) | 20% (15%, 5%) (Presentation, review) | Part A: Week 10 Part B: Week 12 (on-campus) |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for SLE213 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.