Bachelor of Science (Chemical Sciences)

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

The program of the Bachelor of Science (Chemical Sciences) provides students with a broad-based foundation in chemistry discipline and allied areas. This foundation is extended with extensive subject knowledge in the discipline. It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

understand and apply chemical principles to solve problems

master the various laboratory techniques and instrumentation used in diverse chemical fields
present information about chemistry in a scientific manner, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
retrieve, critically analyse and evaluate information relevant to chemistry and apply this knowledge to solve problems or form hypotheses
analyse and evaluate numerical data
appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of the discipline of chemistry and engage positively with people and ideas beyond the discipline
work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
appreciate the role of chemistry in society, the regulatory framework within which it operates and the ethical issues it raises
work cooperatively and productively within a team.

The program of study provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study in chemistry, another science or non-science related discipline, or for a career in a chemistry related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

demonstrate knowledge of, and critically apply the theories, subject content, professional methodologies and research procedures relevant to the discipline of chemistry
work independently, and as part of a team, in a chemical laboratory using appropriate techniques and instrumentation
analyse and critically evaluate ideas/information/data and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data
demonstrate an understanding of materials and their properties at the atomic level, including an understanding of the intimate relationship between scale and size, nanostructure and the properties of materials
design and carry out experiments using both established and novel chemistry techniques and protocols
communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
appreciate the relationships and connections between chemistry and other science and non-science disciplines
work and learn independently and appreciate the need for continuing professional development
work effectively within the regulatory framework surrounding chemistry, for example Occupational Health and Safety, ethics, data storage and intellectual property
work productively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Chemical Sciences) a student must complete 108 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study detailed below.

No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 108 units for the degree. Topics designated 'any year' or with no year level specified are regarded as First Year level topics.

Elective topics to complete 108 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the College of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Specialisation - Chemical Sciences - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 topics

CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding (4.5 units)*
CHEM1102 Modern Chemistry (4.5 units)
SPOC1701 The Nature of Science I (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics

Plus one pair of:

EASC1101 Earth and Environmental Sciences (4.5 units)
EASC1102 Marine Sciences (4.5 units)

Or

BIOL1101 Evolution of Biological Diversity (4.5 units)
BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life (4.5 units)

Plus one of:

MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
MATH1701 Mathematics Fundamentals A (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 1 topics

9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.*

*Students without Year 12 Chemistry should enrol in CHEM1201 General Chemistry as an elective before enrolling in CHEM1101

Specialisation - Chemical Sciences - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 topics

CHEM2701 Chemical Reactivity (4.5 units)
CHEM2702 Organic Reactions (4.5 units)
CHEM2711 Spectroscopy and Data Analysis (4.5 units)
CHEM2712 Analytical Separations (4.5 units)
NANO2701 Structure and Characterisation (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics

13.5 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.#

Specialisation - Chemical Sciences - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 topics

CHEM3701 Applied Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry (4.5 units)
CHEM3702 Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry (4.5 units)
CHEM3711 Organic Synthesis and Mechanism (4.5 units)
CHEM3712 Introduction to Polymer Science (4.5 units)
FACH3701 Chemical Criminalistics (4.5 units)
FACH3702 Drug Action, Metabolism, Toxicology and Analysis (4.5 units)
NANO3702 Frontiers of Nanotechnology (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 3 topics

4.5 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

#Students are encouraged to enrol in STEM3001 Science Connect (4.5 units) as an elective.

Honours

Admission to an honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the College being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study. Refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours).