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What will I study?
Overview
Develop knowledge in a range of areas, including: molecular design and synthesis, analysis and spectroscopic identification of chemical species, quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, chemical kinetics, and thermodynamics.
There are two specialisations in the Chemistry major: Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry.
Your major structure
You’ll complete this major as part of a Bachelor of Science degree.
In your first and second years you will complete the chemistry subjects that are prerequisites for your major. We also recommend that you study mathematics at first-year level.
In your third year, you will complete 50 points (four subjects) of deep and specialised study in chemistry.
Throughout your degree you will also take science elective subjects and breadth (non-science) subjects.
Sample course plan
View some sample course plans to help you select subjects that will meet the requirements for this major.
These sample study plans assume that students have undertaken VCE Units 3/4 Chemistry, or equivalent. If students have not completed this previously, they may first need to enrol in CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry in their first semester. It is recommended that students who plan to major in Chemistry have also completed the following: Physics - VCE Units 3/4 12 Physics or equivalent, for example PHYC10009 Foundations of Physics and at least one first year maths subject.
Year 1
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
Year 2
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
Year 3
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
These sample study plans assume that students have undertaken VCE Units 3/4 Chemistry, or equivalent. If students have not completed this previously, they may first need to enrol in CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry in their first semester. It is recommended that students who plan to major in Chemistry have also completed the following: Physics - VCE Units 3/4 12 Physics or equivalent, for example PHYC10009 Foundations of Physics and at least one first year maths subject.
Year 1
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
Year 2
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
Year 3
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
If you did not achieve a study score of at least 29 in VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4, you may need to enrol in MAST10005 Calculus 1 in your first semester. If you achieved a study score of at least 36 in VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 or equivalent, you can enrol in MAST10021 Calculus 2: Advanced and MAST10022 Linear Algebra: Advanced instead of MAST10006 Calculus 2 and MAST10007 Linear Algebra. If you have not undertaken VCE Units 3/4 Chemistry previously, you may first need to enrol in CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry in your first semester. It is recommended that you have also completed the following: Physics - VCE Units 3/4 12 Physics or equivalent, for example PHYC10009 Foundations of Physics.
Year 1
100 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
- Summer 12.5 pts
- Semester 1 37.5 pts
Year 2
100 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
Year 3
100 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
science elective
12.5 pts
breadth/science elective
12.5 pts
breadth
12.5 pts
These sample study plans assume that students have undertaken VCE Units 3/4 Chemistry, or equivalent. If students have not completed this previously, they may first need to enrol in CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry in their first semester. It is recommended that students who plan to major in Chemistry have also completed the following: Physics - VCE Units 3/4 12 Physics or equivalent, for example PHYC10009 Foundations of Physics and at least one first year maths subject.
Year 1
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
Year 2
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
Year 3
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
These sample study plans assume that students have undertaken VCE Units 3/4 Chemistry, or equivalent. If students have not completed this previously, they may first need to enrol in CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry in their first semester. It is recommended that students who plan to major in Chemistry have also completed the following: Physics - VCE Units 3/4 12 Physics or equivalent, for example PHYC10009 Foundations of Physics and at least one first year maths subject.
Year 1
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
Year 2
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
Year 3
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
These sample study plans assume that students have undertaken VCE Units 3/4 Chemistry, or equivalent. If students have not completed this previously, they may first need to enrol in CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry in their first semester. It is recommended that students who plan to major in Chemistry have also completed the following: Physics - VCE Units 3/4 12 Physics or equivalent, for example PHYC10009 Foundations of Physics and at least one first year maths subject.
Year 1
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
Year 2
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
Year 3
100 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
These sample study plans assume that students have undertaken VCE Units 3/4 Chemistry, or equivalent. If students have not completed this previously, they may first need to enrol in CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry in their first semester. It is recommended that students who plan to major in Chemistry have also completed the following: Physics - VCE Units 3/4 12 Physics or equivalent, for example PHYC10009 Foundations of Physics and at least one first year maths subject.
Year 1
112.5 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
- Summer 12.5 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
Year 2
100 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
- Semester 1 50 pts
Year 3
87.5 pts
- Semester 2 50 pts
- Semester 1 37.5 pts
breadth/science elective
12.5 pts
breadth/science elective
12.5 pts
Explore this major
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this major.
- 12.5 pts
This subject will build on the experience gained in second year practical chemistry through the synthesis and characterisation of complex molecules, the acquisition and interpretation of advanced spectroscopic and physical data and the investigation of chemical systems through computational techniques. It consists of a series of laboratory-based experiments aimed at developing skills in the synthesis, safe handling and analysis of chemical substances of a range of different classes of compounds; an understanding of modern characterisation techniques (e.g. chromatography, atomic and molecular spectroscopy); and the operation of instrumentation for the acquisition of kinetic, structural and thermodynamic data.
A component of this subject will also involve the development of skills in independent practical work through the design and implementation of experimental procedures and techniques, and data interpretation. The subject will also provide opportunities for the development of scientific writing and presentation skills, problem solving and small group collaboration, while introducing resources and software commonly used within chemical research fields (i.e. scientific databases, chemical drawing software, molecular modelling & optimisation, etc).
In addition to increased proficiency in standard techniques, this subject provides an introduction into research-based chemistry through integrated and themed experiments. It will provide skill development in a range of techniques utilised in the modern chemistry laboratory.
The subject provides experience across multiple traditional chemical disciplines whilst highlighting the importance of these disciplines in diverse 'real world' applications such as materials science and medicinal chemistry.
- 12.5 pts
The subject builds on the skills base established in CHEM20020 Structure and Properties. The concepts of quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, molecular interactions and reaction kinetics will lay the fundamentals for the discussion of chemical reactions involving various types of reactive intermediates. The application of molecular orbital theory will be used to understand the nature of pericyclic reactions and the concept of coordination in main group (including carbon) and transition metal elements. An investigation of inorganic reaction mechanisms will focus on transformations involving coordination and organometallic complexes of d-block metals. Discussion of synthetic aspects will cover methods for carbon-carbon bond formation and functional group transformations, as well as principles of catalysis involving transition metal complexes and their chemistry in synthetic and biological systems.
- 12.5 pts
This subject provides a series of specialised modules in the areas of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry
Students choose three modules from the following selection of topics. Each module consists of 12 lectures:
- Bio-Organic Chemistry,
- Spectroscopy – Identification of Organic Molecules,
- Photomolecular Science,
- Polymer Chemistry,
- Metal chemistry: Principles and applications.
- 12.5 pts
This subject provides a series of specialised modules in the areas of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.
Students choose three modules from the following selection of topics. Each module consists of 12 lectures.
- Physical Organic Chemistry,
- Methods in Organic Synthesis,
- Quantum Mechanics in Chemistry,
- Computational Chemistry,
- Supramolecular and Structural Inorganic Chemistry
- Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine
- 12.5 pts
The lecture component of this subject covers the main sources and types of environmental contaminants with a focus on water contaminants and their effect on water quality. Frequently used analytical techniques in environmental and industrial monitoring and analysis, not covered in the prerequisite or other second year level chemistry subjects, will be outlined in the context of achieving desirable environmental outcomes. These include: volumetric analysis; gravimetric analysis; optical techniques (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry); electroanalytical techniques such as potentiometry (ion-selective electrodes, potentiometric stripping analysis) and voltammetry (polarography, anodic stripping voltammetry); analytical separation techniques (ion chromatography, extraction); and automatic analytical techniques (flow injection analysis).
The practical component of this subject involves the application of chromatographic (ion chromatography, gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography), electroanalytical (potentiometry, polarography and anodic stripping volatmmetry) and optical (atomic absorption spectrometry) analytical techniques to environmental samples.
- 12.5 pts
This subject extends students' knowledge of functions and calculus and introduces them to the topics of vectors and complex numbers. Students will be introduced to new functions such as the inverse trigonometric functions and learn how to extend the techniques of differentiation to these. Integration techniques will be applied to solving first order differential equations.
Differential calculus: graphs of functions of one variable, trigonometric functions and their inverses, derivatives of inverse trigonometric functions, implicit differentiation and parametric curves. Integral calculus: properties of the integral, integration by trigonometric and algebraic substitutions and partial fractions with a variety of applications. Ordinary differential equations: solution of simple first order differential equations arising from applications such as population modelling. Vectors: dot product, scalar and vector projections, plane curves specified by vector equations. Complex numbers: arithmetic of complex numbers, sketching regions in the complex plane, De Moivre's Theorem, roots of polynomials, the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra.
- 12.5 pts
This subject will extend knowledge of calculus from school. Students are introduced to hyperbolic functions and their inverses, the complex exponential and functions of two variables. Techniques of differentiation and integration will be extended to these cases. Students will be exposed to a wider class of differential equation models, both first and second order, to describe systems such as population models, electrical circuits and mechanical oscillators. The subject also introduces sequences and series including the concepts of convergence and divergence.
Calculus topics include: intuitive idea of limits and continuity of functions of one variable, sequences, series, hyperbolic functions and their inverses, level curves, partial derivatives, chain rules for partial derivatives, directional derivative, tangent planes and extrema for functions of several variables. Complex exponential topics include: definition, derivative, integral and applications. Integration topics include: techniques of integration and double integrals. Ordinary differential equations topics include: first order (separable, linear via integrating factor) and applications, second order constant coefficient (particular solutions, complementary functions) and applications.
- 12.5 pts
This subject gives a solid grounding in key areas of modern mathematics needed in science and technology. It develops the concepts of vectors, matrices and the methods of linear algebra. Students should develop the ability to use the methods of linear algebra and gain an appreciation of mathematical proof. Little of the material here has been seen at school and the level of understanding required represents an advance on previous studies.
Systems of linear equations, matrices and determinants; vectors in real n-space, cross product, scalar triple product, lines and planes; vector spaces, linear independence, basis, dimension; linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors; inner products, least squares estimation, symmetric and orthogonal matrices.
- 12.5 pts
This subject is designed for students with a minimal background in Physics, and aims to provide a sound introduction to a range of important physics principles and applications. Emphasis is placed on key concepts rather than detailed analysis.
Topics include:
Mechanics: describing and explaining translational and rotational motion, for example in the contexts of human and animal movement and transport (Newton’s laws of motion, both translational and rotational; energy transfer and transformation; momentum and impulse; simple harmonic motion; equilibrium).
Waves and sound: water waves; production and detection of sound, eg. musical instruments, hearing; ultrasound (reflection and refraction, superposition, resonance, energy transport, absorption, Doppler effect).
Optics: optical imaging; sensors and optical instruments; human vision (dispersion, lenses and mirrors, interference, diffraction, polarisation).
Gravitation: universal gravity, weightlessness, planetary and satellite orbits, escape velocity (universal gravity, Kepler’s laws).
Vector notation, and differential and integral calculus, are used when appropriate. New mathematical concepts that students may not have encountered in previous studies are introduced as required.
- 12.5 pts
The subject builds on the skills base established in CHEM20020 Structure and Properties. The concepts of quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, molecular interactions and reaction kinetics will lay the fundamentals for the discussion of chemical reactions involving various types of reactive intermediates. The application of molecular orbital theory will be used to understand the nature of pericyclic reactions and the concept of coordination in main group (including carbon) and transition metal elements. An investigation of inorganic reaction mechanisms will focus on transformations involving coordination and organometallic complexes of d-block metals. Discussion of synthetic aspects will cover methods for carbon-carbon bond formation and functional group transformations, as well as principles of catalysis involving transition metal complexes and their chemistry in synthetic and biological systems.
- 12.5 pts
This subject will build on the experience gained in second year practical chemistry through the synthesis and characterisation of complex molecules, the acquisition and interpretation of advanced spectroscopic and physical data and the investigation of chemical systems through computational techniques. It consists of a series of laboratory-based experiments aimed at developing skills in the synthesis, safe handling and analysis of chemical substances of a range of different classes of compounds; an understanding of modern characterisation techniques (e.g. chromatography, atomic and molecular spectroscopy); and the operation of instrumentation for the acquisition of kinetic, structural and thermodynamic data.
A component of this subject will also involve the development of skills in independent practical work through the design and implementation of experimental procedures and techniques, and data interpretation. The subject will also provide opportunities for the development of scientific writing and presentation skills, problem solving and small group collaboration, while introducing resources and software commonly used within chemical research fields (i.e. scientific databases, chemical drawing software, molecular modelling & optimisation, etc).
In addition to increased proficiency in standard techniques, this subject provides an introduction into research-based chemistry through integrated and themed experiments. It will provide skill development in a range of techniques utilised in the modern chemistry laboratory.
The subject provides experience across multiple traditional chemical disciplines whilst highlighting the importance of these disciplines in diverse 'real world' applications such as materials science and medicinal chemistry.
- 12.5 pts
This subject will provide an overview of modern drug discovery and development, with an emphasis on the pharmacology that underpins the endeavour. The social, economic and scientific challenges facing contemporary drug discovery and development with respect to choice of suitable drug targets will be discussed; current drug targets, including receptors and enzymes, will be highlighted. Strategies – contrasting the complementary chemical-to-target and target-to-chemical approaches – to identify and optimise lead compounds will be presented. The material will include a discussion of small molecules as well as “biologicals”, such as antibodies and nucleotides. A description of how these lead compounds become drug candidates and are characterised with regards to their pharmacodynamic (receptor binding and activation), pharmacokinetic (ability to reach their site of action) and toxicological/safety pharmacology properties will be provided. Finally the approaches to bring an identified drug candidate to the market will be examined. This part of the subject will consider the necessary human clinical trials, regulatory requirements and ongoing monitoring of approved drugs. The subject material will be presented via a combination of lectures, associated online learning materials, and “hot topic” tutorials. The latter will focus on recent innovations in drug discovery, and will serve to highlight the close relationship between basic science and actual therapeutic agents.
- 12.5 pts
This subject is appropriate for all students interested in biomedical research. Students will learn how to design and perform experiments to investigate biological systems. Students will gain experience in a wide range of molecular and cellular approaches and in analytical techniques used in drug discovery.
- 12.5 pts
This subject extends students' knowledge of functions and calculus and introduces them to the topics of vectors and complex numbers. Students will be introduced to new functions such as the inverse trigonometric functions and learn how to extend the techniques of differentiation to these. Integration techniques will be applied to solving first order differential equations.
Differential calculus: graphs of functions of one variable, trigonometric functions and their inverses, derivatives of inverse trigonometric functions, implicit differentiation and parametric curves. Integral calculus: properties of the integral, integration by trigonometric and algebraic substitutions and partial fractions with a variety of applications. Ordinary differential equations: solution of simple first order differential equations arising from applications such as population modelling. Vectors: dot product, scalar and vector projections, plane curves specified by vector equations. Complex numbers: arithmetic of complex numbers, sketching regions in the complex plane, De Moivre's Theorem, roots of polynomials, the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra.
- 12.5 pts
This subject will extend knowledge of calculus from school. Students are introduced to hyperbolic functions and their inverses, the complex exponential and functions of two variables. Techniques of differentiation and integration will be extended to these cases. Students will be exposed to a wider class of differential equation models, both first and second order, to describe systems such as population models, electrical circuits and mechanical oscillators. The subject also introduces sequences and series including the concepts of convergence and divergence.
Calculus topics include: intuitive idea of limits and continuity of functions of one variable, sequences, series, hyperbolic functions and their inverses, level curves, partial derivatives, chain rules for partial derivatives, directional derivative, tangent planes and extrema for functions of several variables. Complex exponential topics include: definition, derivative, integral and applications. Integration topics include: techniques of integration and double integrals. Ordinary differential equations topics include: first order (separable, linear via integrating factor) and applications, second order constant coefficient (particular solutions, complementary functions) and applications.
- 12.5 pts
This subject gives a solid grounding in key areas of modern mathematics needed in science and technology. It develops the concepts of vectors, matrices and the methods of linear algebra. Students should develop the ability to use the methods of linear algebra and gain an appreciation of mathematical proof. Little of the material here has been seen at school and the level of understanding required represents an advance on previous studies.
Systems of linear equations, matrices and determinants; vectors in real n-space, cross product, scalar triple product, lines and planes; vector spaces, linear independence, basis, dimension; linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors; inner products, least squares estimation, symmetric and orthogonal matrices.
- 12.5 pts
This subject is designed for students with a minimal background in Physics, and aims to provide a sound introduction to a range of important physics principles and applications. Emphasis is placed on key concepts rather than detailed analysis.
Topics include:
Mechanics: describing and explaining translational and rotational motion, for example in the contexts of human and animal movement and transport (Newton’s laws of motion, both translational and rotational; energy transfer and transformation; momentum and impulse; simple harmonic motion; equilibrium).
Waves and sound: water waves; production and detection of sound, eg. musical instruments, hearing; ultrasound (reflection and refraction, superposition, resonance, energy transport, absorption, Doppler effect).
Optics: optical imaging; sensors and optical instruments; human vision (dispersion, lenses and mirrors, interference, diffraction, polarisation).
Gravitation: universal gravity, weightlessness, planetary and satellite orbits, escape velocity (universal gravity, Kepler’s laws).
Vector notation, and differential and integral calculus, are used when appropriate. New mathematical concepts that students may not have encountered in previous studies are introduced as required.