Coordinators: Listed below for each year level
Chemistry is the study of substances: their makeup, structure and composition; how they behave; how they may be measured, harnessed and transformed for useful applications in the worlds of materials, medicine, technology and the environment.
The School of Chemistry provides units 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 unit for their higher-level studies.
Both observation and measurement are essential in chemistry. Therefore, all chemistry units involve laboratory work and practice in solving problems in addition to lectures, tutorials and opportunity for oral and written communication.
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.
Minor sequence in chemistry (24 points):
Major sequence in chemistry (48 points):
Any remaining points from CHM units at level two or level three.
For students intending to undertake an Honours degree in Chemistry, at least 24 points of level three Chemistry units must be successfully completed with a distinction average, with at least 18 points from CHM3911, CHM3922, CHM3941 or CHM3952.
Major sequence in analytical chemistry (48 points):
Students should also complete at least one six-point mathematics unit at level one.
Major sequence in environmental chemistry (48 points):
Students should also complete at least one six-point mathematics unit at level one.
Major sequence in medicinal and biological chemistry (48 points):
Students undertaking a major sequence in medicinal and biological chemistry should also complete BIO1011 and BIO1022.
Major sequence in materials chemistry (48 points):
Students should also complete at least one six-point mathematics unit at level one. PHS1011 and PHS1022 are also recommended for students intending to complete a major sequence in materials chemistry.
Major sequence in synthetic chemistry (48 points):
Students should also complete at least one six-point mathematics unit at level one.
Coordinators: Dr Patrick Perlmutter (CHM1011 and CHM1022) and Dr Ian McKinnon (CHM1031 and CHM1042)
Four six-point chemistry units are offered at level one, two in each semester. A sequence of two of these is required for most second-year chemistry units and some mathematics units are also recommended. These sequences are CHM1011 and CHM1022, or CHM1031 and CHM1042.
CHM1011 and CHM1022 or CHM1031 and CHM1042 together are prerequisites for most level-two chemistry units and also are prerequisites or recommended for some other science units.
Students considering taking a major sequence in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, materials chemistry or synthetic chemistry should also complete at least one six-point mathematics unit at level one. PHS1011 and PHS1022 are also recommended for students intending to complete a major sequence in materials chemistry. Students intending to complete a major sequence in medicinal and biological chemistry should also complete BIO1011 and BIO1022 at level one.
Coordinator: Dr Mike Grace
Two chemistry units together make a major study at level two and progression to particular level-three units will require a pass at a satisfactory level in an approved level-two unit. Students intending to complete a major sequence in chemistry should note that CHM2911 and CHM2922 must be completed to proceed to honours in chemistry, and that those units are prerequisites for many level-three chemistry units. The level-two program in chemistry is designed to introduce students to many concepts of modern chemistry in a variety of interest areas.
The analytical chemistry program allows sub-specialisation in analytical chemistry, forensic chemistry, applied/industrial chemistry or environmental chemistry.
Environmental chemistry concerns the chemistry of water, soils and the atmosphere. It involves the behaviour, analysis and transport of chemicals in the environment and is important in understanding the effects of man on the natural world.
The medicinal and biological chemistry program allows sub-specialisation in agricultural chemistry, biological chemistry, biomedical chemistry, forensic chemistry, molecular modelling or pharmaceutical chemistry.
The materials chemistry program allows sub-specialisation in materials chemistry, polymer chemistry, solid state chemistry or synthetic chemistry.
Synthetic chemistry focuses on the reactions of organic and inorganic molecules and understanding reaction mechanisms in the laboratory and industry. It focuses on chemical synthesis applied to industrial processes, bioactive molecules and sustainable chemistry. The units CHM2942 and/or CHM2962 are also recommended for students considering taking a major sequence in synthetic chemistry.
Coordinator: Associate Professor Peter Junk
Chemistry is offered as a range of nine six-point units at level three. Students completing at least 24 points of chemistry can tailor a choice of units to specific interests. Students intending to proceed to honours in chemistry must complete at least 18 points of chemistry units at level three from CHM3911, CHM3941, CHM3922 or CHM3952.
For students in materials chemistry, additional points towards level-three studies could include the materials science units MSC3011 and MSC3022.
Coordinator: Dr Don McNaughton
Honours in chemistry may be undertaken by students who achieve at least a distinction average grade in 24 points of level three chemistry units (although six points from a chemistry-related discipline may be permitted at the discretion of the honours coordinator). 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 level-three units. Honours studies include advanced coursework and an extended research project.
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