Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Chemical Sciences), Master of Engineering (Materials)

Not offered in 2021

The double degree, Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Chemical Sciences), Master of Engineering (Materials) is a 180-unit program offered by the College of Science and Engineering.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study 
  
  

Admission requirements

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

Successful completion of SACE Chemistry plus either SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Specialist Mathematics or Mathematical Methods or equivalent International Baccalaureate subjects is normally required for entry. Knowledge of SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Physics is assumed.

Course aims

The course has been designed to provide graduates with:

• a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to understand and apply chemical principles to solve problems
• an understanding of advanced processing and fabrication methods of materials and their characterisation
• mastery of the various laboratory techniques and instrumentation used in diverse chemical and materials fields
• the ability to present information about chemistry and materials in a scientific manner, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
• the ability to retrieve, critically analyse and evaluate information relevant to chemistry/materials and apply this knowledge to solve problems or form hypotheses
• the ability to analyse and evaluate numerical data
• an appreciation of the multidisciplinary aspect of the discipline of chemistry and materials engineering and engage positively with people and ideas beyond the discipline
• an awareness of social, economic, cultural and environmental aspects of chemical science and materials engineering in the design and manufacturing of engineered components and processes
• an ability to critically analyse and evaluate information and solve chemical and materials-related problems
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and a commitment to them
• the ability to work and interact professionally as an individual and as a member of multi-disciplinary teams
• an ability to undertake research in chemical science and materials engineering and/or relevant areas
• an understanding of the need to undertake lifelong learning and the capacity to do so
• preparation for future management roles

The course provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study or for a career in a scientific or engineering related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes 

At the completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of, and critically apply the theories, subject content, professional methodologies and research procedures relevant to the disciplines of chemistry and materials including a deep understanding of structure, properties, processing, and performance of materials
• apply advanced chemistry and engineering principles to design and develop materials systems
• work independently, and as part of a team, in a chemical laboratory or engineering research environment using appropriate techniques and instrumentation
• analyse and critically evaluate ideas/information/data and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems
• demonstrate an understanding of chemicals/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
• develop scientific and engineering solutions appropriate to the social, political, international, economic and environmental contexts in which they are applied
• design and carry out experiments using both established and novel chemistry/engineering techniques and protocols
• appreciate the relationships and connections between chemical science, materials engineering and other disciplines
• 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
• communicate effectively with other scientists and engineers and the wider global community using a wide range of communication technologies
• understand and describe the processes through which current knowledge was developed
• engage in the process of continuing learning needed to retain the necessary level of professional skills and knowledge in the areas of chemical and materials-related problems
• demonstrate knowledge of the research process, and be able to conduct research in science and engineering
• apply research skills appropriate to postgraduate research or advanced industrial investigation.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Chemical Sciences), Master of Engineering (Materials), a student must complete 180 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below. Students must also achieve a credit level average or better at the end of third year. Students with less than a credit average at the end of third year will be permitted to continue in the ordinary degree program of the Bachelor of Science (Chemical Sciences) award.

Core - Year 1 topics

CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding (4.5 units)
CHEM1102 Modern Chemistry (4.5 units)
ENGR1401 Professional Skills  (4.5 units)
ENGR1732 Engineering Mechanics (4.5 units)
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
MATH1122 Mathematics 1B (4.5 units)

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)

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)
ENGR1711 Engineering Design (4.5 units)
ENGR1722 Engineering Physics and Materials (4.5 units)
ENGR2711 Engineering Mathematics (4.5 units)
NANO2701 Structure and Characterisation (4.5 units)

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)
ENGR2812 Engineering Materials 2 (4.5 units)
ENGR8722 Analysis of Engineering Systems GE (4.5 units)
ENGR8791 Mechanics and Structures (4.5 units)
FACH3701 Chemical Criminalistics (4.5 units)

Core - Year 4 topics

ENGR7921 Materials Selection in Design (4.5 units)
FACH8702 Drug Action, Metabolism, Toxicology and Analysis GE (4.5 units)
NANO8702 Frontiers of Nanotechnology GE (4.5 units)

Plus 13.5 units selected from the list of ENGR topics under the Master of Engineering (Materials) 
Plus 9 units of Electives

Core - Year 5 topics

ENGR3750 Workplace Preparation¹ (0 units)
ENGR9405 Engineering Work Experience GE¹ (4.5 units)
ENGR9700A Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
ENGR9700B Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
ENGR9700C Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
ENGR9700D Masters Thesis (4.5/18 units)
ENGR9742 Systems Engineering (4.5 units)
ENGR9704 Engineering Management (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 units selected from the list of ENGR topics under the Master of Engineering (Materials).

Course Rule Notes

1.  Students who can demonstrate equivalent work experience may apply for credit. If the completed work experience is recorded as 0 units students may be granted an exemption from ENGR9405 (4.5 units) but will be required to take an alternative topic. It is recommended that students undertake their placement between November and February after the completion of year 1.

2.  Students must undertake the Masters Thesis topics over a minimu  of two semesters.