Courses and Subjects Defined
A course is a degree, such a Bachelor of Science, and a subject is a unit of study, usually taken over a semester, within a course. Chemistry subjects are sorted and described by the year of study during which they are taken.
General Information
Subjects
Bachelor of Science with major in Chemistry (BSc Website)
First year subjects
| Subject | Subject Name |
|---|---|
| CHEM10003 | Chemistry 1 |
| CHEM10004 | Chemistry 2 |
| CHEM10006 | Chemistry for Biomedicine |
| CHEM10007 | Fundamentals of Chemistry |
Second Year Subjects
| Subject | Subject Name |
|---|---|
| CHEM20018 | Reactions and Synthesis |
| CHEM20019 | Practical Chemistry |
| CHEM20020 | Structure and Properties |
| CHEM20011 | Environmental Chemistry |
Third year subjects
| Subject | Subject Name |
|---|---|
| CHEM30014 | Specialised Topics in Chemistry B |
| CHEM30015 | Advanced Practical Chemistry |
| CHEM30016 | Reactivity and Mechanism |
| CHEM30017 | Specialised Topics in Chemistry A |
| CHEM30012 | Analytical and Environmental Chemistry |
| CHEM30013 | Chemical Research Project |
Fourth year programs
- Master of Science by Coursework Program
- BSc Honours Program
- Advanced Graduate Diploma in Chemistry Program
Postgraduate Subjects
Subject Subject NameCHEM90007Environmental Chemistry
Sample Course Plans
Information for prospective and current undergraduate students about subject selection and course options. Download sample course plans for Chemistry majors (PDF).
First year students (Information)
Your subject choices in first year will depend on your background. Students with VCE Chemistry (or equivalent) will normally undertake mainstream first year Chemistry. This involves subjects CHEM10003 Chemistry 1 which may be taken either semester 1 or semester 2 and CHEM10004 Chemistry 2 which may be taken in semester 2 or during the Summer semester.
A special semester 1 bridging subject has been designed for students who have not completed year 12 Chemistry: CHEM10007 Fundamentals of Chemistry. If you pass CHEM10007, you will be able to move on to mainstream Chemistry and study CHEM10003 in second semester and CHEM10004 in summer semester.
CHEM10006 Chemistry for Biomedicine is a semester 1 subject available only to students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedicine.
The Royal Australian Institute of Chemistry (RACI) also recommends that students do one first year Mathematics or Physics subject.
Second and third year students (Information)
After first year, many options are open for the study of Chemistry in second and third years. Theory, practical and combined theory/practical courses may be tailored to provide advanced training in specific inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary areas. Discipline specific and generic skills are extended and refined, and health, safety and environmental perspectives are developed.
How to choose your subjects
Specific course advice will be available towards the end of Second Semester. Special sessions will cover prerequisites for courses. Any student that has completed a full first year level course (either CHEM10003/10004) will have the prerequisites to enrol in any second year course.
General information about second and third year subjects is also available.
Undertake a major in Chemistry
Find out more about the requirements for a major in Chemistry and how to choose subjects in second and third year. The Chemistry major is accredited by the Royal Australia Institute of Chemistry (RACI).
Special subjects
CHEM30013 - Chemical Research Project (second semester or summer semester**)
** Prior approval must be obtained from Andrea Oliver to undertake this subject during summer semester. Students who do not do so will not be permitted to undertake this subject.
Prerequisites:
BSc students
Students must have completed (or be concurrently enrolled in) four third year level chemistry subjects (as defined in the chemistry major BSc) prior to commencement of this subject.
Other Science students
Students must be enrolled in at least 50 points of third year level chemistry subjects, and have completed (or be concurrently enrolled in) at least one of the four third year level core subjects (as defined in the chemistry major) prior to commencement of this subject
BBiomedSc sudents are required to enrol in at least 37.5 points of third year level chemistry and have completed (or be concurrently enrolled in) at least one of the four third year level core subjects (as defined in the chemistry major) prior to commencement of this subject.
Please see the handbook and Chemistry's specific course & subject web pages for further information:
Fourth Year and Beyond (Information)
Increasingly, an Honours or Masters degree is becoming the minimum pre-requisite for rapid career advancement. The School of Chemistry offers a number of options for fourth year study and beyond.
The Master of Science by Coursework - Chemistry: This two year, 200 point course gives students the opportunity to undertake a substantive research project in a field of choice as well as a broad range of coursework subjects including a professional tools component, as a pathway to PhD study or to the workforce. Enrolment in the program is offered on a full time basis. Part time enrolment may be possible subject to coordinator approval with commencement in February or July.
The Chemistry Honours program: This program is a full year of study where students undertake both advanced coursework and research work leading to the production of a thesis. Enrolment in the program is offered on a full time basis only and can be commenced in February or July.
The Advanced Graduate Diploma in Science - Chemistry: This program is a full year of study where students undertake both advanced coursework and research work leading to the production of a thesis. Enrolment in the program is offered on a full time basis only and can be commenced in February or July. This program may be offered to students who have completed a Bachelor of Science degree which includes some third year chemistry subjects. However, all applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Coordinator.
Postgraduate study is normally required for a career in research. The School of Chemistry offers both Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and PhD research by thesis programs. Find out more about postgraduate study at the School of Chemistry. Starting salaries and promotion opportunities for graduates increase with the level of graduate training. As students study chemistry and progress to higher years, they increase their breadth of knowledge, and also their depth of knowledge of the subject. This increased specialisation and the skills it develops provides greater employment and remuneration opportunities.