A graduate in chemistry will be trained in the principles of chemistry to a standard not less than that required for corporate membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Students will be proficient in:
* using the symbols and language of chemistry;
* understanding the concepts and models of chemistry;
* demonstrating modern diverse practical skills in a safe manner;
* collecting, classifying and interpreting data;
* communicating the results of their work by both oral and written presentation;
* performing experiments with precision and accuracy;
* handling and storing chemicals in accordance with the relevant OH&S standards;
* appreciating the interplay between chemistry and other sciences.
The discipline
The Department of Chemistry provides subjects in chemistry for students with a wide variety of interests. As well as those students who major in chemistry, there are many who need some chemistry as a prerequisite or recommended subject for their later-year study.
Each student is required to achieve balanced progress across the traditional areas of chemistry and must reach an acceptable standard in all sections at the end of each semester.
Both observation and measurement are essential in chemistry. Therefore, all chemistry subjects involve laboratory work and practice in solving problems in addition to lectures, tutorials, and opportunity for cultivation of the art of self-expression.
Students may graduate with an honours BSc degree in chemistry after a fourth year of study which combines units on advanced topics in chemistry together with work on a research topic under supervision.
There are two six-point subjects in first year, one in each semester. Both are prerequisites for second-year chemistry, along with some mathematics subjects, and the codes are CHM1011 and CHM1022.
The department offers subjects which allow a level of specialisation within chemistry as summarised in the following tables:
Specialisation in analytical chemistry
A program which allows subspecialisation in analytical chemistry, applied/industrial chemistry or environmental chemistry.
First year
* CHM1011 and CHM1022; MAT1011 or MAT 1051; MAT1022 or MAT1062; and
* twelve additional points per semester as specified in the Faculty of Science regulations.
Second year
* CHM2011/2022;
one or more subjects selected from:
* CHM2031 (Chemical science) - biological or CHM2041 (Chemical science) - industrial;
* CHM2052 (Aquatic science);
* GES2132 (Soils, land and the environment).
Other subjects to make a total of forty-eight points as specified in the Faculty of Science regulations.
Third year
* CHM3011/3022 (sixteen units) or CHM3031/3042 (eight units). The key units for these specialisations should be chosen from the following:
* Analysis of chemical data;
* Applied spectroscopy;
* Case study of an Australian industry;
* Chemical analysis;
* Electrochemical methods;
* Environmental chemistry;
* Industrial chemistry;
* Instrumentation in chemistry;
* Polymer chemistry;
* Separation science;
* Solid state and materials characterisation;
* Technology assessment and project evaluation.
Students taking CHM3031/3042 require an additional twenty-four points as specified in the Faculty of Science regulations. Examples are:
* CHE3071/3072 (Chemical engineering science);
* MAA3111 (Atmospheric science).
Specialisation in biological chemistry
A program which allows subspecialisation in agricultural chemistry, biological chemistry, biomedical chemistry, forensic chemistry, molecular modelling or pharmaceutical chemistry.
First year
* CHM1011, CHM1022; BIO1011, BIO1022 and
* twelve additional points per semester as specified in the Faculty of Science regulations.
Second year
* CHM2011/2022 and
one or more subjects selected from:
* CHM2031 (Chemical sciences) - biological;
* CHM2052 (Aquatic science);
* GEN2022 (Genetics);
* BCH2011/2022 (Biochemistry).
Other subjects to make a total of forty-eight points as specified in the Faculty of Science regulations.
Third year
* CHM3011/3022 (sixteen units) or CHM3031/3042 (8 units). The key units for these specialisations should be chosen from the following:
* Analysis of chemical data;
* Alicyclic and carbohydrate chemistry;
* Aromatic and heterocyclic chemistry;
* Chemical analysis;
* Computer-aided visualisation;
* Electrochemical methods;
* Environmental chemistry;
* Instrumentation in chemistry;
* Modern spectroscopy;
* Solid state and materials characterisation;
* Synthetic methods.
* Students taking CHM3031/3042 require an addditional twenty-four points as specified in the Faculty of Science regulations.
Specialisation in materials chemistry
A program which allows subspecialisation in materials chemistry, polymer chemistry, solid state chemistry or synthetic chemistry.
First year
* CHM1011, CHM1022; MAT1011 or MAT1051; MAT1022 or MAT1062;
* Recommended: PHS1011, PHS1022; and six additional points per semester as specified in the Faculty of Science regulations.
Second year
* CHM2011/2022 and one or more subjects selected from:
* CHM2041 (Chemical sciences) - Applied/Industrial;
* MSC2011/2022 (Materials science).
Other subjects to make a total of forty-eight points as specified in the Faculty of Science regulations.
Third year
* CHM3011/3022 (sixteen units) or CHM3031/3042 (eight units). The key units for these specialisations should be chosen from the following:
* Alicyclic and carbohydrate chemistry;
* Analysis of chemical data;
* Aromatic and heterocyclic chemistry;
* Chemistry of non-metals;
* Colour, spectra and magnetic moments in inorganic chemistry;
* Organometallic chemistry;
* Organometallics and heteroatoms in organic synthesis;
* Polymer chemistry;
* Precious and rare metals;
* Reaction mechanisms;
* Reactivity of metal complexes;
* Solid state and materials characterisation;
* Synthetic methods.
Students taking CHM3031/3042 require an additional twenty-four points as specified in the Faculty of Science regulations. An example is:
* MSC3011/3022 (Materials science).
Specialisation in theoretical chemistry
A program which allows subspecialisation in chemical physics, computational chemistry, energy chemistry, mechanistic chemistry or theoretical chemistry.
First year
* CHM1011, CHM1022; MAT1011, MAT1022;
* Recommended: PHS1011, PHS1022; and six additional points per semester as specified in the Faculty of Science regulations.
Second year
* CHM2011/2022 and other subjects to make a total of forty-eight points as specified in the Faculty of Science regulations. Recommended subjects include:
* PHS2011/2022;
* MAT2010 and/or MAT2020 (Maths methods);
* MAA2011, MAA2022, MAA2032, and/or MAA2042 (Applied maths).
Third year
Students may take:
* CHM3011/3022 (16 units) or CHM3031/3042 (8 units). The key topics for these specialisations should be chosen from the following:
* Analysis of chemical data;
* Applied spectroscopy;
* Colloid chemistry;
* Computer-aided visualisation;
* Instrumentation in chemistry;
* Modern spectroscopy;
* Reaction mechanisms;
* Reactivity of metal complexes.
Students taking CHM3031/3042 require an additional twenty-four points as specified in the Faculty of Science regulations.
In second year there are two eight-point subjects, one in each semester, and both are prerequisites for third-year chemistry. The codes are CHM2011 and CHM2022. There are also two `stand alone' eight-point first-semester subjects called `chemical sciences'. The availability of each depends on whether or not students intend to include CHM2011 and CHM2022 in their degree. The codes for these subjects are CHM2031 and CHM2041. In second semester it is possible to study CHM2052 (Aquatic chemistry). As faculty regulations require a second-year student to complete at least two sixteen-point sequences in defined science subjects (eg CHM2011 and CHM2022, with GEN2011 and GEN2022), a student enrolling in chemical sciences could make up the additional eight points with CHM2052 (Aquatic chemistry) or any other `stand alone' second-year eight-point subject (or two related four-point subjects).
In third year, a student may study chemistry alone in two twenty-four point subjects, one in each semester (CHM3011, CHM3022) or combine two corequisite twelve-point subjects, one in each semester, with a similar two by twelve-point sequence in another discipline, eg CHM3031 and CHM3042 with MSC3011 and MSC3022.
Examiners and advisers
The chief examiners for chemistry subjects for 1995 are:
* CHM1011 and 1022: Dr Ian McKinnon
* CHM2011 and 2022: Associate Professor Ron Dickson
* CHM2031 and 2041: Mrs Nick Williams
* CHM2052: Professor Barry T Hart
* CHM3011, 3022, 3031, 3042, 3051, 3062: Dr Frank Eastwood
* CHM4000: Professor Roy Jackson
Inquiries about subjects should be addressed in the first instance to the appropriate subject coordinator. Names of coordinators are given under the subject headings.
More general information about courses involving chemistry subjects in relation to other studies may be obtained from departmental course advisers:
* Dr Jayant Bapat
* Dr Michael Fuller
* Dr Michael L Heffernan
* Dr Keith Murray
* Dr Ernest K Nunn
* Dr Thomas Smith
Course structure
First year
* CHM1011 and CHM1022
CHM1011 and CHM1022 together are prerequisites for second-year chemistry and also are prerequisites or recommended subjects for other faculty subjects.
Second year
* CHM2011
* CHM2022
* CHM2031; CHM2041; CHM2052
CHM2011.08 and CHM2022.08 together make a major second-year study and progression to third year will require a pass at a satisfactory level in each subject. The course is designed to introduce students to many concepts of modern chemistry.
Third year
Third-year chemistry is offered both as twenty-four point subjects or twelve-point subjects. The following combinations of subjects are available and must be taken as pairs: CHM3011.24/CHM3022.24 or CHM3031.12/CHM3042.12 or CHM3051.12/CHM3062.12. The twelve-point subjects are generally selections of units offered in the twenty-four point subjects. Students are required to discuss their selection of units with the coordinator. The common prerequisite is CHM2011 and CHM2022.
Fourth year
* CHM4000