chemistry/index

aos

18 September 2017 19 April 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Area of study

Students who commenced study in 2013 should refer to this area of study entry for direction on the requirments; to check which units are currently available for enrolment, refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your area of study.

print version

This area of study entry applies to students commencing this course in 2013 and should be read in conjunction with the relevant course entry in the Handbook. Any units listed for this area of study relate only to the 'Requirements' outlined in the Faculty of Science component of any bachelors double degrees.

Managing facultyFaculty of Science
Offered bySchool of Applied Sciences and Engineering
School of Chemistry
School of Science
Campus(es)Clayton, Gippsland, Sunway
CoordinatorDr Chris Thompson (Level one and Extension); Dr Perran Cook (Level two); Dr Kellie Tuck (Level three); Associate Professor Mike Grace (Honours); Dr Kumaran Nayaranan (Sunway); Ms Jenny Mosse (Gippsland)

Notes

  • Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.
  • At Sunway campus only a minor sequence is available in this area of study.

Description

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.

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.

At Clayton and Sunway there are 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.

At Gippsland a focus on 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.

Learning outcomes

Graduates from Clayton and Sunway will be able to:

  • demonstrate a broad understanding of the major areas of chemistry; including, synthetic chemistry, materials chemistry, medicinal and biological chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, sustainable chemistry, and environmental chemistry
  • apply the theoretical principles learnt throughout the coursework
  • apply the scientific method to generate new knowledge in the chemical sciences, and integrate chemistry with other science disciplines to recognise and solve scientific and technical problems
  • exercise proficiency in experimental design, chemical laboratory techniques, critical thinking, data acquisition and problem solving, working both individually and collectively
  • discuss the importance of chemistry and its application in everyday life; including generation of new chemicals and materials, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, new energy sources, and environmental protection and sustainability
  • demonstrate the ability to work safely through the application of risk assessment and apply knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety policies and legislation
  • derive, analyse and apply effectively data acquired through chemical experimentation, the application of physical and theoretical analytical techniques and by applying limits of error and concept of scale in the chemical sciences
  • demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills to a diverse range of audiences and develop competency in the use of various electronic media to support communication of ideas and results
  • communicate numerical and quantitative literacy, information and communication literacy, inquiry and critical thinking, and ethical, social and international understanding
  • exercise the highest ethical and moral standards in the chemical sciences and its application within a scientific and social context.

Graduates from Gippsland will be able to:

  • demonstrate broad knowledge of the major areas of chemistry, including analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, synthetic chemistry, medicinal and biological chemistry
  • understand the importance of chemistry and its application in everyday life, including pharmaceuticals and healthcare, industry, environmental protection and sustainability
  • recognise the fundamental role of chemistry in interdisciplinary scientific endeavors
  • demonstrate proficiency in chemical laboratory techniques and experimental design
  • demonstrate the ability to operate safely in the laboratory environment, due to application of risk assessment processes and application of Occupational Health and Safety policies
  • collect, organise, analyse, evaluate and interpret chemical data using appropriate quantitative, technological and critical thinking skills
  • critically evaluate relevant scientific data and literature and comprehend the nature and scope of the scientific literature in chemistry and related areas
  • communicate chemical principles and information effectively to diverse audiences, using a variety of formats
  • work and learn effectively, both independently and collaboratively, in a manner that respects the needs and views of others.

Requirements

All students must complete the requirements as outlined below for the campus at which they are enrolled.

Clayton and Sunway

Units

Level one

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

Sequence requirements

Minor sequence in chemistry (24 points)

Major sequence in chemistry (48 points)

  • CHM1011 or CHM1051, plus CHM1022 or CHM1052
  • 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 CHM1051, plus CHM1022 or CHM1052
  • 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 *

* Note: CHM2911 and CHM2922 are pre-requisite units for most level three units

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 have been designed such that some previous understanding of chemistry is presumed, but are also underpinned by a support structure for those who are relatively new to the subject. Alternatively, students who have demonstrated a strong aptitude in chemistry during secondary studies (eg. VCE Chemistry Study Score greater than 36) may enroll in the CHM1051 and CHM1052 Advanced units. Students with a high score in CHM1011 may be permitted to progress to the advanced stream in semester two.

A pair containing one each of CHM1011/CHM1051 and CHM1022/CHM1052 stands as a pre-requisite for most level two chemistry units and also the recommended combination to complete a major sequence in chemistry.

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.

Gippsland

Units

Level one

Level two

  • BTH2741 Biochemistry
  • CHM2752 Chemistry of the environment
  • CHM2762 Design of molecules and macromolecules
  • CHM2922 Spectroscopy and analytical chemistry

Level three

  • CHM3930 Medicinal chemistry
  • CHM3742 Chemistry of the environment 2
  • SCI3990 Science in action research project

Sequence requirements

Minor sequence in applied chemistry (24 points)

Major sequence in applied chemistry (48 points)

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.

Relevant courses

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)