Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate Handbook 2001: Subjects indexed by faculty
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Chemistry


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 fundamental areas of chemistry.
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 a BSc(Hons) 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.
Four six-point subjects are offered in first year, two in each semester. A sequence of two of these is required for most second-year chemistry subjects and some mathematics subjects are also recommended. The codes are CHM1011 and CHM1022 or CHM1031 and CHM1042.
The department offers subjects which allow a level of specialisation within chemistry as summarised below.

Specialisation in analytical chemistry

A program which allows sub-specialisation in analytical chemistry, forensic chemistry, applied/industrial chemistry or environmental chemistry.

First year
Second year

One or more subjects selected from:

Other subjects to make a total of 48 points as specified in the BSc course requirements.

Third year

All students majoring in chemistry do two core subjects:

Remaining subjects for the analytical chemistry specialisations should be chosen from the following:

Further points to make up the full 48 points could then be selected from other chemistry or science subjects or subjects from outside the faculty, for example:

Specialisation in biological chemistry

A program which allows sub-specialisation in agricultural chemistry, biological chemistry, biomedical chemistry, forensic chemistry, molecular modelling or pharmaceutical chemistry.

First year
Second year

Other subjects to make a total of 48 points as specified in the BSc course requirements.

Third year

All students majoring in chemistry do two core subjects:

Remaining subjects for the biological chemistry specialisations should be chosen from the following:

Further points to make up the full 48 points could then be selected from other chemistry, science or medical subjects.

Specialisation in materials chemistry

A program which allows sub-specialisation in materials chemistry, polymer chemistry, solid state chemistry or synthetic chemistry.

First year
Second year

Other subjects to make a total of 48 points as specified in the BSc course requirements.

Third year

All students majoring in chemistry do two core subjects:

Remaining subjects for the materials chemistry specialisations should be chosen from the following:

Further points to make up the full 48 points could then be selected from other chemistry or science subjects or out from outside the faculty, for example:

Specialisation in theoretical chemistry

A program which allows sub-specialisation in chemical physics, computational chemistry, energy chemistry, mechanistic chemistry or theoretical chemistry.

First year
Second year

CHM2911/CHM2912 Molecular design and reactivity, CHM2922 Instrumental and forensic chemistry and other subjects to make a total of 48 points as specified in the BSc course requirements. Recommended subjects include:

Third year

All students majoring in chemistry do two core subjects:

Remaining subjects for the theoretical chemistry specialisations should be chosen from the following:

Coordinators and advisers

The coordinators for chemistry subjects for 2001 are:
Dr Steven Langford -- CHM1011 and 1022
Dr Bruce Coller -- CHM1031 and CHM1042
Dr Andrea Robinson -- CHM2911, CHM2912, CHM2922, CHM2931, CHM2942 and CHM2951
Dr Leone Spiccia -- All level 3 chemistry subjects
Associate Professor David Hewitt -- CHM4000
Professor Doug MacFarlane -- SCI3090/SCI3092, SCI3094
Inquiries about subjects should be addressed in the first instance to the appropriate subject coordinator.
More general information about courses involving chemistry subjects in relation to other studies may be obtained from departmental course advisers:
Dr Michael Fuller
Professor Keith Murray
Dr Andrea Robinson
Mrs Nicola Williams

Discipline structure

First year

CHM1011 and CHM1022 or CHM1031 and CHM1042 together are prerequisites for most second-year chemistry subjects and also are prerequisites or recommended subjects for some other faculty subjects.

Second year

Three chemistry subjects together make a major second-year study and progression to particular third-year subjects will require a pass at a satisfactory level in an approved second-year subject. The program is designed to introduce students to many concepts of modern chemistry in a variety of interest areas.

Third year

Third-year chemistry is offered as a range of eight six-point subjects, two of which are compulsory for all chemistry majors. The other subjects are made up of stand-alone units so that for students doing at least 24 points of chemistry it is possible to tailor a third-year choice to specific interests.

Fourth year

Chemistry 4000 is usually offered to students gaining at least a distinction average grade in their third-year chemistry subjects, although students with grades above or equal to 65 are eligible for consideration where they have also obtained an average of 65 or above in their remaining third-level subjects. It is made up of advanced coursework and an extended research project.

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