Monash University Handbook 2011 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 major 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
• 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
• gained proficiency in laboratory techniques and experimental manipulation in various aspects of chemistry
• gained familiarity with the nature and scope of chemical literature, and experience in literature searching
• 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.
• developed, in the context of the discipline, the graduate attributes of effective communication, quantitative literacy, information and communication literacy, inquiry and critical thinking, and ethical, social and international understanding.

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

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 points of CHM units with least 36 points of CHM units at level three

Requirements for honours in chemistry

CHM2911, CHM2922 and 24 points of level three CHM units including one of CHM3911 and CHM3952, and one of CHM3941 and CHM3922

Additional information

See coordinator details in table above.

Level one

CHM1011 and CHM1022 together are prerequisites for most level-two chemistry units and also the recommended combination to complete a major sequence in chemistry.

The level one sequence of CHM1031 and CHM1042 is only available to students who do not have VCE Chemistry units 3 and 4 (or equivalent). Students who undertake this level one sequence and wish to complete a major sequence in chemistry are required to seek advice (after completing CHM1031) from the level one coordinator in the School of Chemistry regarding their options.

Level two

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

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.

Honours

In addition to the requirements listed above, students must meet the entry requirements for the Science honours program relevant to their course of enrolment. See the entries for:

• 2340 Bachelor of Environmental Science
• 3520 Bachelor of Science Advanced with Honours
• 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science
• 2188 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)

Full details regarding the course structure for honours in this area of study are outlined in course 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science.

Single degrees

• 2340 Bachelor of Environmental Science
• 0050 Bachelor of Science
• 3520 Bachelor of Science Advanced with Honours
• 1120 Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)

Double degrees

• 0530 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
• 3537 Bachelor of Arts (Global) and Bachelor of Science
• 3528 Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Science
• 1469 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science
• 3517 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Computer Science
• 3711 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education
• 1633 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education
• 3278 Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering and Bachelor of Science
• 4609 Bachelor of Environmental Engineering and Bachelor of Science
• 3282 Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering and Bachelor of Science
• 0085 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering
• 0086 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws

Honours degrees

• 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science
• 2188 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)