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Monash University: University handbooks: Undergraduate handbook: Units indexed by faculty
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Chemistry

Coordinators: Listed below for each year level

The discipline

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, including analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, materials chemistry, medicinal and biological chemistry, and synthetic chemistry. Opportunities for specialisation in these areas commence at level two. 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.

Units offered

Level one

Level two

  • CHM2180 Materials chemistry: biomaterials, macromolecules and smart materials
  • CHM2911 Molecular design and reactivity
  • CHM2922 Instrumental and forensic chemistry
  • CHM2942 Chemistry of life
  • CHM2951 Environmental chemistry - water
  • CHM2962 Food chemistry
  • CHM2981 Chemistry at the interface
  • CHM2990 Introductory chemical research project

Level three

  • CHM3180 Materials chemistry: biomaterials, macromolecules and smart materials
  • CHM3911 Spectroscopy, synchrotron and structure
  • CHM3922 Synthesis 2: understanding chemical reactions
  • CHM3932 Medicinal chemistry
  • CHM3941 Synthesis 1: chemistry of bioactive compounds
  • CHM3952 Analytical and forensic chemistry
  • CHM3960 Environmental chemistry
  • CHM3972 Sustainable chemistry
  • CHM3981 Chemistry at the interface
  • CHM3990 Chemistry project

Sequence requirements

Chemistry

Minor sequence in chemistry (24 points):

Major sequence in chemistry (48 points):

  • Either CHM1011 and CHM1022, or CHM1031 and CHM1042, and
  • At least 12 points of CHM units at level two, and
  • The remaining 18 or 24 points from CHM units at level three, with at least 18 points at level three

Double major sequence in chemistry (72 points):

  • Either CHM1011 and CHM1022, or CHM1031 and CHM1042, and
  • At least 12 points of CHM units at level two, and
  • At least 36 points of CHM units at level three

Students intending to proceed to honours must undertake at least 12 points of CHM units at level two including CHM2911 and CHM2922 and at least 18 points of CHM units at level three, including at least three of CHM3911, CHM3922, CHM3941 and CHM3952.

Recommendations

Level one

Coordinators: Dr Phil Andrews (CHM1011 and CHM1022) and Dr Ian McKinnon (CHM1031 and CHM1042)

Four 6-point chemistry units are offered at level one, two in each semester. 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.

Level two

Coordinator: Dr Mike Grace

Two chemistry units together make a major sequence at level two. 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.

Level three

Coordinator: Dr Andrea Robinson

Chemistry is offered as a range of nine 6-point units at level three. At least three units at level three need to be completed for a major sequence in chemistry. 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.

Honours

Coordinator: Professor Keith Murray

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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