Honours - Chemical and Physical Sciences

Aims

The program of honours in chemistry or physics extends upon the foundation gained during undergraduate studies to incorporate extensive subject knowledge in the discipline. The honours year also aims to develop a range of skills including the capacity to:

undertake an individual research project in an area of chemistry or physics, from planning to execution
understand and apply advanced chemical or physical principles to solve problems
master the various laboratory techniques and instrumentation used in diverse chemical fields so as to be able to work independently in a laboratory
present information about chemistry or physics 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 or physics 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 honours year prepares students for ongoing professional development, for further study in chemistry or physics, another science or non-science related discipline or for a career in a chemistry or physics related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

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

Plan and execute an individual research project in chemistry or physics, applying relevant methodologies and knowledge
understand and critically apply advanced theories, subject content, professional methodologies and research procedures relevant to the discipline of chemistry or physics
work independently, and as part of a team, in a chemical or physical laboratory using appropriate techniques and instrumentation
analyse, critically evaluate and apply ideas/information/data, as well as apply relevant scientific principles, to solve problems. This may involve, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data in an independent manner
design and carry out experiments using both established and novel chemistry or physics techniques and protocols without the need for direct supervision
effectively communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
appreciate the relationships and connections between chemistry or physics 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 individually, as well as part of a team, in order to achieve goals.

Program of study

Core - Honours Year topics

36 unit comprising#:

CPES7711 Advanced Techniques in Chemical and Physical Science (4.5 units)
CPES7721 Advanced Chemical and Physical Science (4.5 units)
STEM7001 Research Methods for Honours (4.5 units)
STEM7000A Honours Research Project in STEM (4.5/22.5 units)
STEM7000B Honours Research Project in STEM (4.5/22.5 units)
STEM7000C Honours Research Project in STEM (4.5/22.5 units)
STEM7000D Honours Research Project in STEM (4.5/22.5 units)
STEM7000E Honours Research Project in STEM (4.5/22.5 units)

# With the permission of the Course Coordinator a 7xxx level topic that is appropriate to the student’s program may be substituted.

Every effort has been made to ensure the information published on the Course Rule pages is accurate at the time of publication. Flinders University reserves the right to amend its curriculum without prior notice, and will update the Course Rules to reflect any amendments at the earliest opportunity.