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.

Applied chemistry explores the nature of molecular matter and change by applying the principles of chemistry to practical situations in industry, biotechnology and the environment. It has a strong emphasis on instrumental and analytical techniques.

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 applied 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 areas of chemistry that include biological and industrial chemistry, analytical chemistry and environmental 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
• have 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
• be prepared for further studies in chemical and allied sciences including undertaking higher research degrees
• be prepared for employment in chemical and related scientific fields.

Level one

• CHM1011 Chemistry
• CHM1022 Chemistry

Level two

• BTH2741 Biochemistry
• CHM2741 Instrumental analysis
• CHM2752 Chemistry of the environment
• CHM2762 Design of molecules and macromolecules

Level three

• BTH3990 Biotechnology in action research project
• CHM3730 Bioactive chemistry
• CHM3742 Chemistry of aquatic systems and processes
• ENV3726 Atmospheric processes

Minor sequence in applied chemistry (24 points)

• CHM1011 and CHM1022
• CHM2741 and one of CHM2752 or CHM2762

Major sequence in applied chemistry (48 points)

• CHM1011 and CHM1022
• CHM2741, CHM2762, and one of CHM2752 or BTH2741
• CHM3730, CHM3742, and one of ENV3726 or BTH3990

Details of the BTH and ENV units, and some related sequences, are described in the 'biochemistry' and 'ecology and environmental management' entries in the Science areas of study section of the Handbook.

Requirements for honours in chemistry

24 points of relevant level-three units, of which 18 points are normally chemistry units

Additional information

Students seeking accreditation by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute should contact the school for advice on unit selection.

Honours

In addition to the requirements listed above, students must meet the entry requirements for the Science honours program relevant to the course of enrolment. See the entry for 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science for full details regarding the course structure for honours in chemistry on the Gippsland campus.

The applied chemistry sequence provides fundamental skills in instrumental and analytical analysis that complement all science discipline sequences.

+ 0050 Bachelor of Science