AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

SCC1226D – Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

UNIT OUTLINE
Study Mode: On-campus Academic Period: Trimester1, 2023

Unit Lecturer/Demonstrator:

Name : Ms Poornima Marasinghe (Colombo)

Email : Poornima.Marasinghe@acbt.lk

Name : Dr. Viduranga Waisundara (Kandy)

Email : viduranga.waisundara@acbt.lk

Please use email as a first point of contact outside of class. Always send
university-related emails from your ECU student email address, and be
Consultation arrangements
sure to include the unit code in the subject line of your email. I aim to
respond to emails within 48 hours

Table of Contents
Unit Lecturer/Demonstrator: .......................................................................................................1
Table of Contents .........................................................................................................................1
Introduction.................................................................................................................................2
Teaching and Learning Approaches ....................................................................................................... 2
Lectures and laboratory work. ............................................................................................................... 2
Unit Learning Outcomes ....................................................................................................................... 2

Assessment Details ......................................................................................................................3

Unit Content and Study Schedule .......................................................................................................... 4

Weekly Schedule 2019 .................................................................................................................4

Additional Information.................................................................................................................6
Email Protocol ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Assessment Feedback ........................................................................................................................... 6
Assignment Extensions ......................................................................................................................... 6
Referencing in Assignment Work .......................................................................................................... 6
Academic Misconduct .......................................................................................................................... 7
Deferred Exams .................................................................................................................................... 8
Attendance and Quality of Participation ............................................................................................... 8
Employability Skills............................................................................................................................... 9

SCC1226D Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

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Introduction
This unit provides an introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry. It covers the structure and
reactions of important classes of organic compounds and biomolecules including carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids. Various important applications will be described, including polymers,
medicinals, soaps, and detergents.

Teaching and Learning Approaches

Lectures and laboratory work.

Unit Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate laboratory skills relevant to organic chemistry and biochemistry including handling and
disposal of chemical reagents with respect to personal safety and sustainable practice.
2. Describe and relate the structure and properties of medicinals, polymers and soaps to their uses in
society.
3. Explain and apply fundamental concepts and principles in organic chemistry and biochemistry and
recognise applications of these concepts and principles.
4. Identify important functional groups and classes of organic and biomolecules, describe their
structure, and predict outcomes of typical reactions.

Unit Content

1. Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers Nomenclature, bonding, structure, preparation, physical properties,
typical chemical reactions. Example of fermentation and production of alcoholic beverages.
2. Aldehydes, Ketones and Amines Nomenclature, bonding, structure, preparation, physical properties,
typical chemical reactions. Comparison of aldehydes and ketones.
3. Analysis of biomolecules Introduction to spectroscopy and chromatography and their application to
biological, nutritional and forensic analysis.
4. Carbohydrates Structure of monosaccharides (especially glucose, fructose, galactose), disaccharides
(maltose, lactose, sucrose), polysaccharides (starch, glycogen, cellulose), including stereoisomerism.
Identification tests for carbohydrates as reducing sugars. Formation and hydrolysis of glycosidic
linkages.
5. Carboxylic Acids, Esters and Amides Nomenclature, bonding, structure, preparation, physical
properties, typical chemical reactions. Examples of fruit essences and flavourings, cosmetics,
vitamins, medicinals, soaps and detergents.
6. General Overview of organic and biological chemistry and the applications in many fields of science
across international contexts, such as biochemistry, nutrition and forensics.
7. Hydrocarbons Nomenclature, bonding, structure, physical and chemical properties of alkanes,
alkenes, alkynes and aromatic compounds. Applications as fuels, chemical feedstocks.
8. Lipids Classification system for lipids. Triglycerides, degree of unsaturation, hydrolysis and
saponification. Phospholipids and application as biological membranes. Steroids, prostaglandins,
waxes as categories of lipid.
9. Metals in biological systems Metals in important biological molecules such as haemoglobin and
chlorophyll, metals in the environment, trace metals.
10. Nucleic Acids Components and structure of nucleic acids, formation of double helix, DNA and RNA
exemplars, role and function of nucleic acids.

SCC1226D Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

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 11. Proteins Structure of amino acids, importance of side chain structure, existence as zwitterions.
Formation of peptide bonds. Proteins and their primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary
structures. Enzymes and biological catalysts, dependence on temperature and pH, models of enzyme
function (lock and key model, induced fit model).
12. Synthetic Polymers Addition and condensation polymerisation reactions. Poly(ethylene) and its
derivatives, polyesters and polyamides.

Textbook
Seager, S. L., &Slabaugh, M. R. (2013). Organic and biochemistry for today (8th ed.). New York: Cengage.

Assessment Details
Assessment Value
Worksheets and continuous assessment* 25%
Laboratory work 25%
End of Semester Examination 50%
Total 100%
*This assessment item includes cumulative assessment of laboratory reports. Three online quizzes (worth 5%
each) and one written test (worth 10%) will be formally assessed (see Weekly Schedule), however, all
experiments are required to be written-up.

In line with the ECC Moderation Policy, the ECC Unit Coordinator may scale student marks up or down. Marks
awarded are therefore provisional, and the student’s final grade will be subject to approval by the Board of
Examiners. See: Moderation Policy and the Assessment Policy at:https://www.acbt.net/policies

Assessments ** Learning Graduate Attribute Week due Weighting

Outcome (p.1) (last page)

GA1, GA2, GA3,

Quality of Participation LO1 – LO5 All 0%
GA4, GA5

Assessment 1– Worksheets and LO1, LO2, LO3, GA1, GA4 8 25%

continuous assessment LO4

Assessment 2 – Laboratory LO2, LO3, LO4, GA1, GA3, GA4, GA5 3, 7, 10, 12 25%
Experimental Write-ups LO5

Final Exam LO1, LO2, LO3, GA1, GA4 13 50%

LO4,

TOTAL 100%
**Please see Assessment Guideline Handouts and Marking Keys on the Portal for further instructions.

Criteria for Final Grade

Grade Description Mark (%)
HD High Distinction 80%-100%
D Distinction 70%-79%
CR Credit 60%-69%
C Pass 50%-59%
N Fail 0%-49%
50%-100%
I Incomplete (Fail)
(Where unit requires you to pass exam or essential assessment)
For further details see the ACBT Student Handbook in the portal on online at:
https://www.acbt.net/documents-and-forms

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Back up your material:It is the responsibility of the student to keep a back-up of all materials submitted
for assessment.
Laboratory Sessions are Compulsory
1. If you miss more than 2 labs (including labs missed with medical certificates), you will not
satisfactorily complete the lab program and fail the unit.
2. Students will not be allowed to attend without a laboratory coat and appropriate footwear.
3. Safety glasses must be worn at all times in the lab – glasses are provided but if you find these
uncomfortable, you can purchase your own.
4. Your lab manual has extensive instructions about lab reports, penalties for late submission etc.

Unit Content and Study Schedule

This table represents the unit’s typical study schedule. Any deviations from this will be announced on Moodle.
Typically, one module will be covered each teaching week. Classes are not held during the Mid Semester Break.
See the ACBT Academic Calendar for details of teaching weeks.

Weekly Schedule 01, 2023

WEEK LECTURE TOPICS (2 hour) LABORATORY EXPERIMENT

(2 hours)
1 Module 1: No lab this week
(Week of 20th Introduction & the Alkanes
February – 26th
February)
2 Module 2: Safety Briefing – compulsory
(Week of 27th Unsaturated Hydrocarbons attendance!
February – 5th March) Experiment 1
Advanced Molecular Models
3 Module 3: Experiment 2 Lab marking week
(Week of 6 March –
th
Alkyl Halides Introduction to Hydrocarbons and
12th March) Alcohols

4 Module 4: Experiment 3
(Week of 13th March – Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers Properties of Organic Functional
19th March) Groups (I)
Cont, Assess. 1:
Online Quiz (5%)
5 Module 5: Experiment 4
(Week of 20 March –th
Aldehydes & Ketones Properties of Organic Functional
26th March) Groups (II)

6 Module 6: Experiment 5 Lab marking week

th
(Week of 27 March - Carboxylic Acids & Esters Synthesis of Esters
2nd April)

SCC1226D Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

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 WEEK LECTURE TOPICS (2 hour) LABORATORY EXPERIMENT
(2 hours)
7 Module 7: Experiment 6
(Week of 3 April – 9
rd th
Carbohydrates Pharmaceutical Preparation &
April) Cont. Assess. 2: Analysis
Written Test (10%)

(Week of 10th April – Mid Semester Break – No Classes

16th April)

8 Module 8: Experiment 7Lab marking week

(Week of 17th April – Applications of functional Lipids
23rd April) groups Experiment 8
• Polymers Biological Molecules in Food
• Soaps
• Lipids
9 Module 9: Experiment 9
(Week of 24 April –th
Nitrogen-containing functional Preparation of Soap
30th April) groups Amines & Amides
Cont. Assess. 3: Amino acids, Peptides &
Online Quiz (5%) Proteins
10 Module 10: Experiment 10 Lab marking week
(Week of 1st May – 7th Biomolecules Factors Influencing Enzyme Actions
May) Enzymes and Nucleic Acids
(Alternative date for
the interactive
session may be
notified later due to
May Day)

11 Module 11: Experiment 11

(Week of 8 May – th
Metals in Biological Systems Digestion Processes
14th May) Exam Information
Cont. Assess. 4:
Online Quiz (5%)
12 Revision No labs
(Week of 15 May – th

21st May)

13 Final Exam

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Additional Information
Email Protocol
All emails to ACBT staff must be sent from your student email account.
When using email to communicate with ACBT staff, you should always make sure that your message contains
the following:
1. A subject that contains the unit code, and clearly describes the nature of your query or request.
Your lecturers receive many emails a day and may also teach more than one unit, so if your email does
not contain the unit code it may not be possible to place your message in context.
2. Ensure that you include previous messages in email replies, and make sure that previous messages
are included in an ongoing exchange. Your lecturer deals with many students, having a copy of the
previous exchanges included in your message will expedite a response.
3. Insert a signature at the end of your email that contains your full name and student number.

Assessment Feedback
Feedback will be provided within 2 weeks of the submission of the assignment. After your assignment has
been returned to you, review the comments and grade given to you by your lecturer. If you have a question
regarding any comments or marks you should contact your lecturer immediately.

Assignment Extensions
Late Submission:

If a student is unable to submit a within-semester assessment task (i.e. assignment) on or by the due date,
the penalty will be 5% per working day. The mark will be zero after 5 working days.

An exception may be granted if the student provides an Explained Absence form together with…

• Medical certificate (signed by lecturer and given to ACBT Manager Examinations by the student), or
• Written explanation (signed by lecturer and given to ACBT Manager Examinations by student), in the case
of personal circumstances which have the potential to significantly affect the performance of the student.
Evidence must be submitted within 3 days (or at the next scheduled class if the lecturer is not available – an
email to the lecturer is also recommended).

Complaints and Appeals:

Students who believe they have valid reasons to appeal marks awarded for an assessment should discuss
the matter informally with the lecturer. If valid reasons for an appeal exists, you must lodge the appeal within
15 working days as specified in the Complaints and Appeals Policy (https://www.acbt.net/policies)

Referencing in Assignment Work

ACBT adopts the APA (American Psychological Association) Referencing system, which also complies with
protocols used by ECU.

• How to Reference APA Style– download from:

https://www.acbt.net/documents-and-forms

• Academic Misconduct Guidelines –ACBT portal (Section 4 Referencing and Plagiarism for useful links,
tutorials and videos).
More in-depth information can be found at:

SCC1226D Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

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• ECU Referencing Guide – downloaded free at: https://www.ecu.edu.au/centres/library-services/shared-
content/downloads/ECU-Referencing-Guide-2014-July-update.pdf
• American Psychological Association (APA) provides free tutorials at:
http://www.apastyle.org/learn/tutorials/basics-tutorial.aspx

Academic Misconduct
Honesty in study and research is highly valued at ACBT and ECU, therefore academic misconduct is
regarded as a serious offence. Academic misconduct includes…
• Plagiarism;
• Unauthorised collaboration;
• Cheating in examinations;
• Fraudulently submitting the work of another person;
• Purchasing assignments or paying another person to write an assessment
• Theft of other students’ work;
• Any other fraudulent assessment practices

Staff are expected to be critical of student work, looking for any evidence of plagiarism/cheating. Staff may
use search software (e.g. Turnitin) to scan/record your work against the electronic works of others on the
Internet.

"Plagiarism” means to knowingly or unknowingly present as one's own work the ideas or writings of
another without appropriate acknowledgment or referencing, including…
• Paraphrasing text without acknowledging source (includes any copying)
• Paraphrasing text inadequately
• Copying another student's assignment (from any source)
• Copying of visual representations (cartoons, line drawings, photos, paintings, computer programs, images,
tables, graphs)

Penalty:
First Offence: Award of zero for assessment
Second Offence: Award of zero for the unit
Third Offence: Possible risk of suspension from ACBT
For further information see: Academic Misconduct in the student portal.

In order to ensure students are submitting their own work, if the lecturer believes that there is a disparity
between the writing or knowledge presented in assessments (compared to in-class activities or other
examples of student work), the lecturer has the right to take steps to confirm that the student actually did the
work.
The Unit Coordinator may extend the requirements for any written assessment [except those completed under
supervision (in class)] to include an oral exam to clarify and support the written submission.

• The oral exam will normally be held face-to-face with the Unit Coordinator and the Academic Program
Coordinator, but may be done by telephone or other means as chosen by the Unit Coordinator.
• The student may invite someone to act as a support person, however that person cannot answer any of
the questions
• The oral exam should occur as soon as possible after the assessment, but may be deferred if the student
is unable to attend and can provide supporting evidence.
• During the oral exam, the student may be asked to define terms, explain concepts or give examples
relating to the assessment
• The mark given for the oral exam will override the original written submission.
• If a student fails to attend the oral exam, ACBT may begin an investigation of Academic Misconduct as per
ACBT’s Student Misconduct Policy. Where Academic Misconduct is determined, penalties will apply as
per this policy

SCC1226D Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

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Also see Assessment Policy and the Student Misconduct Policy which can be downloaded at:
https://www.acbt.net/policies

Deferred Exams
If you have appropriate grounds for being unable to attend an exam, you can apply for a deferred exam.

Attendance and Quality of Participation

Attendance is an important element of your success and as such it is compulsory, not only for visa regulations
(for international students) but also a requirement for local students.

Attendance and active quality of participation will count towards your final mark and grade. The mark is not
given for just turning up – it is more than that. The following guidelines describe how your lecturer will assess
your participation mark.

Attendance Answers Asks Completes Demonstrates Learns from Mark

questions questions homework & ability to think own
tutorials critically mistakes

10

X 4

X X X X 3

X XX X X 2

XX XXX XX XX 1

XXX XXX XXX XXX 0

Always
Usually
Sometimes
X Occasionally
XX Rarely
XXX Never
Adapted from: Eberly Centre for Teaching Excellence: www.cmu.edu/teaching/assessment

Students who are sick or absent from classes for valid reasons must…

• Submit an Explained Absence form to each lecturer for a signature of approval. This should include a
medical certificate or proof of valid reason for the absence. This form must be submitted within 3 days (or
at the next scheduled class if the lecturer is not available).
• Once completed, it is the student’s responsibility to submit the form and evidence to ACBT as soon as
possible.

SCC1226D Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

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 In the event that attendance is considered unsatisfactory, formal written warnings will be sent to students and
they may be required to see the Senior Deputy Principal or nominee.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT:

ACBT students have access to the following free support:

• Computing or Mathematics – meet Course Coordinators

• Drop-in Help Sessions – see the Course Coordinator.

For further information: See Progress and Graduation Policyat: https://www.acbt.net/policies

Employability Skills

Learning is not just about acquiring a static set of knowledge and skills – it is also about developing generic
skills that can be used to further life-long learning and engagement with the community. ECC has adopted
the same Employability Skills and Graduate Attributes incorporated by Edith Cowan University in their
courses; The ECC Learning and Teaching Plan aims to develop these Employability Skills
(http://intranet.ecu.edu.au/learning/teaching-and-learning-support/employability) through the delivery of our
courses. Units within a course will focus on different skill sets with varying degrees of overlap, however all
Employability Skills will be covered as part of that course.

Employability Skills Graduate Attributes

• Navigate the world of work

• Manage career and work life
• Work with roles, rights and protocols GA1 – Ability to communicate

GA2 – Ability to work in teams

• Interact with others
• Communicate for work
GA3 – Critical appraisal skills
• Connect and work with others
• Recognise and utilise diverse perspectives
GA4 – Ability to generate ideas

• Get the work done GA5 – Cross-cultural and international outlook

• Plan and organise
• Make decisions
• Identify and solve problems
• Create and innovate
• Work in a digital world

The Graduate Attributes incorporated into this unit are:

Ability to generate ideas

Ability to Ability to work in Critical appraisal Cross-cultural &
Unit Code
Communicate teams skills international outlook
Problem-solving

ABC1100D

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