A basic understanding of chemistry is critically important for anyone planning a career in science, medicine or engineering. Chemistry impacts on all of our lives from the safe handling of common household chemicals to understanding the chemical effects of compounds on our health from dietary intake including foodstuffs and medicines, the air we breathe, the fuels we burn, the chemicals we manufacture and use, and their environmental consequences.
The major in Chemistry will provide students with a depth and breadth of understanding of chemical knowledge that is essential for anyone contemplating further study in chemistry or a career in the chemical or pharmaceutical industries. In combination with a major in Biology it forms an ideal background for further study in biological or medicinal research. The highly transferable lab-based skills in the manipulation of glassware, the safe handling and use of chemicals, the application of techniques and instrumentation, and experimental process will stand students in excellent stead in a variety of disciplinary contexts.
The major in Chemistry will provide students with the chemical basis for understanding biological structures and processes; the effects of drugs and other chemicals in the body; the electrical, magnetic and photochemical properties of materials; geological and atmospheric processes; and environmental issues.
Training in the chemical discipline opens up careers as diverse as an: analytical chemist, chemical engineer or industrial chemist, defence scientist, geochemist, food technologist, inorganic chemist, materials or biomaterials chemist, organic chemist, patent attorney, pharmaceutical chemist, physical chemist, policy analyst, project or program manager, researcher, science writer or editor, teacher and toxicologist.
Learning Outcomes
- Combine depth and breadth of understanding of chemical knowledge to discern the structure, bonding, properties, characterisation and reactivity of molecular and macromolecular compounds and solid state materials.
- Demonstrate well developed, safe laboratory based skills, using appropriate risk assessments, software and instrumentation, to perform qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis.
- Perform both collaborative and independent research in a professional manner, accessing relevant chemical literature and communicate information clearly and accurately to an expert audience.
- Recognise the interdisciplinary nature of chemistry and its underlying significance in other areas of science, engineering and medicine.
- Perceive the ethical and social dimensions of practising chemistry.
Other Information
Which courses should you take in first year?
This major will require you to complete the following 1000-level courses:
- CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 (prerequisite for CHEM1201 and all 2000-level CHEM courses)
- CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 (prerequisite for all 2000- 3000-level CHEM courses)
Other first year courses:
- If you plan to do CHEM2208 Protein Engineering & Analysis, you will need to complete BIOL1004.
- While not a prerequisite, both PHYS1101 and MATH1013 or MATH1115 are recommended for students considering taking CHEM2214.
Additional advice:
- Any student wishing to undertake Honours in Chemistry must complete the minimum of the equivalent of a Major in Chemistry.
- It is further recommended that they also complete a specialisation in Advanced Chemistry. Students undertaking a specialisation are expected to complete at least one independent research project as they consolidate professional skills and research capabilities in a real research lab environment.
Recommended Study Plans:
Students who are taking a major in Chemistry can organise enrolment choices through three thematic streams: Biological Chemistry, Materials Chemistry or Synthetic Chemistry. These three streams build a more sophisticated understanding of chemical concepts across the spectrum of the discipline and, in particular, fosters integration of theoretical and applied knowledge across interdisciplinary and sub disciplinary contexts. A visual representation is available from this link .
Thematic stream 1 - Biological Chemistry (with optional sub-themes in biomaterials and engineering, or drug discovery and pharmacology)
Suggested enrolment pattern for this stream includes 24 units from the courses listed below:
12 units from the completion of the following courses:
12 units from the completion of 3000-level courses from the following list:
- CHEM3204 Structural Methods in Chemical Biology (winter session)
- CHEM3207 Current Topics in Chemical Biology (semester 2)
6 units from the completion of the following course:
- CHEM3060 - Research Project in Chemistry (semesters 1, 2 and summer session)
Students with an interest in biomaterials and bio-engineering are encouraged to also complete: CHEM2214 Chemical Physics, CHEM2213 Materials Chemistry, CHEM3202 Advanced Materials and CHEM3208 Molecular Modeling and Computational Chemistry.
Students with an interest in drug discovery and pharmacology are encouraged to also complete: CHEM2202 Chemical Structure and Reactivity 1 CHEM2202 Chemical Structure and Reactivity 2, CHEM3201 Synthetic Aspects of Medicinal Chemistry and CHEM3206 Catalysis in Chemistry.
Thematic stream 2 - Materials Chemistry (with optional sub themes in biomaterials and bio-engineering, or materials synthesis and chemical manufacturing)
Suggested course work for this stream includes the completion of 24 units, which includes:
12 units from the completion of the following courses:
12 units from the completion of 3000-level courses from the following list:
- CHEM3202 – Advanced Materials (semester 1)
- CHEM3208 – Molecular Modeling and Computational Chemistry (semester 2)
6 units from the completion of the following course:
- CHEM3060 - Research Project in Chemistry (semesters 1, 2 and summer session)
Students with an interest in biomaterials and bio-engineering are encouraged to also complete: CHEM2211 Chemical Biology 1, CHEM2208 Chemical Biology 2, CHEM3204 Structural Methods in Chemical Biology and CHEM3207 Current Topics in Chemical Biology .
Students with an interest in materials synthesis and chemical manufacturing are encouraged to also complete: CHEM2202 Chemical Structure and Reactivity 1, CHEM2203 Chemical Structure and Reactivity 2, CHEM3203 Organometallic Chemistry and CHEM3206 Catalysis in Chemistry.
Thematic stream 3 - Synthetic Chemistry (with optional sub-themes in drug discovery and pharmacology, or materials synthesis and chemical manufacturing:
Suggested course work for this stream includes the completion of 24 units, which includes:
12 units from the completion of the following courses:
- CHEM2202 – Chemical Structure and Reactivity 1 (semester 1)
- CHEM2203 – Chemical Structure and Reactivity 2 (semester 2)
12 units from the completion of 3000-level courses from the following list:
- CHEM3201 – Synthetic Aspects of Medicinal Chemistry (semester 1)
- CHEM3203 – Organometallic Chemistry (semester 1)
- CHEM3206 – Catalysis in Chemistry (semester 2)
6 units from the completion of the following course:
- CHEM3060 - Research Project in Chemistry (semesters 1, 2 and summer session)
Students with an interest in drug discovery and pharmacology are encouraged to also complete: CHEM2211 Chemical Biology 1 and CHEM2208 Chemical Biology 2, CHEM3204 Structural Methods in Chemical Biology and CHEM3207 Current Topics in Chemical Biology.
Students with an interest in materials synthesis and chemical manufacturing are encouraged to also complete: CHEM2214 Chemical Physics, CHEM2213 Materials Chemistry, CHEM3202 Advanced Materials and CHEM3208 Molecular Modeling and Computational Chemistry.
Academic or enrolment advice:
Students can seek further advice from the academic contact for this major (details above), or the College of Science Student Services Team (students.cos@anu.edu.au).
Back to the topRequirements
*Asterisked courses have 1000-level prerequisites which must be selected in the first year of study and will contribute towards satisfying the 1000-level course requirements of the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours).
The courses listed below will cover most 1000-level requirements for 2000-3000- level courses listed in this major.
- CHEM1101 (prerequisite for CHEM1201 and all 2000 and 3000 level CHEM courses)
- CHEM1201 (prerequisite for all 2000 and 3000 level CHEM courses)
This major requires the completion of 48 units from the following lists, which must include:
6 units from completion of the following compulsory course:
*CHEM2210 Structural Elucidation in Chemistry (6 units)
A minimum of 12 units from completion of 2000-level courses from the following list:
*CHEM2202 Chemical Structure and Reactivity 1 (6 units)
*CHEM2203 Chemical Structure and Reactivity 2 (6 units)
*CHEM2208 Chemical Biology 2 (6 units)
*CHEM2211 Chemical Biology 1 (6 units)
*CHEM2213 Materials Chemistry 1 (6 units)
*CHEM2214 Chemical Physics (6 units)
A minimum of 18 units from completion of 3000-level courses from the following list:
CHEM3060 Research Project in Chemistry (6 units)
CHEM3201 Synthetic Aspects of Medicinal Chemistry (6 units)
CHEM3202 Advanced Materials (6 units)
CHEM3203 Organometallic Chemistry (6 units)
CHEM3204 Structural Methods in Chemical Biology (6 units)
CHEM3206 Catalysis in Chemistry (6 units)
CHEM3207 Current topics in Chemical Biology (6 units)
CHEM3208 Molecular Modeling and Computational Chemistry (6 units)
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