Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Area of Study

Chemistry is the study of substances: their makeup, structure and composition; how they behave; and 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.

Objectives

On completion of the sequence in chemistry students will:

• have achieved a broad understanding of the major areas of chemistry, and to appreciate the importance of the various areas of chemistry in everyday life
• have developed a deeper understanding of one or more areas of chemistry that include: synthetic chemistry, materials chemistry, medicinal and biological chemistry, spectroscopy, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, surface and interfacial chemistry
• have gained proficiency in laboratory techniques and experimental manipulation in various aspects of chemistry
• have gained familiarity with the nature and scope of chemical literature, and experience in literature searching
• be able to communicate scientific information in both oral and in written form
• have gained proficiency in accessing Material Safety and Data Sheets (MSDS), and the use of these in the risk assessment process, and to use this information to operate safely in the laboratory environment.

Level one

• CHM1011 Chemistry
• CHM1022 Chemistry
• CHM1031 Chemistry in context I
• CHM1042 Chemistry in context II

Level two

• CHM2911 Synthetic chemistry I
• CHM2922 Spectroscopy and analytical chemistry
• CHM2942 Synthetic chemistry II
• CHM2951 Environmental chemistry - water
• CHM2962 Food chemistry
• CHM2990 Introductory chemical research project

Level three

• CHM3180 Materials chemistry
• CHM3911 Advanced physical chemistry
• CHM3922 Advanced organic chemistry
• CHM3930 Medicinal chemistry
• CHM3941 Advanced inorganic chemistry
• CHM3952 Advanced analytical chemistry
• CHM3960 Environmental chemistry
• CHM3990 Chemistry project

Minor sequence in chemistry (24 points)

• CHM1011 and CHM1022, or CHM1031 and CHM1042*
• 12 points of CHM units at level two or three

* The level one sequence of CHM1031 and CHM1042 is only available to students who do not have VCE Chemistry (or equivalent). Students who undertake this level one sequence and wish to complete a major sequence in chemistry are required to seek approval (after completing CHM1031) from the Level one Coordinator in the School of Chemistry regarding their options.

Major sequence in chemistry (48 points)

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

Double major sequence in chemistry (72 points)

• CHM1011 or CHM1031, and CHM1022
• at least 12 points of CHM units at level two
• the remaining 48 points of CHM units with 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 24 points of CHM units at level three, including at least three of CHM3180, CHM3911, CHM3922, CHM3941 and CHM3952.

Level one

Coordinators (School of Chemistry): Associate Professor Richard Morrison

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 together are prerequisites for most level-two chemistry units and also the required combination for complete a major sequence in chemistry.

Level two

Coordinator (School of Chemistry): Dr Perran Cook

At least two chemistry units need to be taken at level two to complete a major sequence. 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.

A significant degree of choice exists in chemistry offerings at level two with units providing specialisation in the areas of synthetic, analytical, biological, environmental, food and materials chemistry.

Level three

Coordinator (School of Chemistry): Dr David Lupton

Depending on the number of Chemistry units taken at level two, a minimum of at least three or four units should be completed at level three 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 CHM3180, CHM3911, CHM3941, or CHM3952.

Honours

Coordinator (School of Chemistry): Associate Professor Ian McKelvie

CHM2911 and CHM2922, and three of CHM3180, CHM3911, CHM3922, CHM3941 and CHM3952 are required as part of the major sequence in chemistry for entrance into honours.

Full details regarding entrance requirements and course structure for honours is described in the course entry in this Handbook for the course 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science.