Handbook home
Chemistry: Structure and Properties (CHEM20020)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject covers key concepts related to the stereochemical and electronic properties of molecules and the methods central to their study. Important elements of the subject include the spectroscopic characterisation and quantification of materials by a range of spectroscopic techniques, molecular orbital techniques and the application of approaches based on molecular symmetry and group theory to the understanding of molecular properties, stereo-selective reactions, bonding and spectroscopy. These topics have applications to advanced materials, light emitting polymers, chemical analysis and catalysis in biological and industrial systems.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject students should;
- be able to classify molecules according to their symmetry and to relate their physical properties (e.g. dipole moment, isomerism) to the molecular symmetry;
- have a basic knowledge of the basis and application of spectroscopic techniques that are conducted in the presence (NMR, EPR) or absence (IR, Raman, UV-Vis.) of an applied magnetic field;
- be able to apply molecular orbital theory to simple homo- and heteronuclear diatomic molecules and polyatomic molecules;
- be able to apply simple Huckel approaches to arrays of atoms having orbitals of pi symmetry;
- be able to identify systems that are aromatic or antiaromatic in character and to have a knowledge of their basic reactions;
- be able to describe the changes in bonding that occur to small molecules (e.g. CO) on binding to a transition metal and to be able to apply these concepts to the catalysis of reactions of those species.
Generic skills
This subject will provide students with opportunities to develop the following generic skills:
- the ability to comprehend complex concepts and effectively communicate this understanding to the scientific community and in a manner accessible to the wider community;
- the ability to analyse and solve abstract technical problems;
- the ability to connect and apply the learnt concepts to a broad range of scientific problems beyond the scope of this subject;
- an awareness of advanced technologies;
- the ability to think and reason logically;
- the ability to think critically and independently.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM10004 | Chemistry 2 |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Students seeking enrolment into CHEM20020 who have only successfully completed CHEM10006 Chemistry for Biomedicine are required to contact the coordinator for approval
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students who have completed one of the following subjects may not also gain credit for these subjects:
CHEM20014 CHEM20021 CHEM20022 CHEM20023 CHEM20024 CHEM20025
Recommended background knowledge
It is recommended that students who plan to major in Chemistry also enrol in two semesters of first year mathematics, for example MAST10005 Calculus 1, MAST10006 Calculus 2 and MAST10007 Linear Algebra.
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM20018 | Chemistry: Reactions and Synthesis | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
Five short tests each of approximately 90 minutes duration conducted on-line using the learning management system (LMS) for a total of 20%; the tests will run in weeks 2, 4, 7, 10 and 12 and the mark for this component of the assessment will be based on the average of the four highest marks with each test contributing equally to this component of the assessment. A three hour examination at the end of the semester will contribute 80% to the final grade.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Colette Boskovic Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 x one hour lectures per week; 1 x one hour tutorial per week; 3 x one hour seminars during the semester. Total 51 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
P Atkins and J De Paula, Atkins’ Physical Chemistry, 10th Ed, Oxford University Press, 2014
M. Weller, T. Overton, J. Rourke and F. Armstrong, Inorganic Chemistry, 6th Ed, Oxford University Press, 2014
J. Clayden, N. Greeves and S. Warren, Organic Chemistry, 2nd Ed, Oxford University Press, 2012
- Subject notes
It is recommended that students who plan to major in Chemistry to also have completed the following:
- Mathematics and Statistics - two semesters of first year mathematics, for example MAST10005 Calculus 1, MAST10006 Calculus 2 and/or MAST10007 Linear Algebra.
- Physics - VCE Units 3/4 12 Physics or equivalent, for example PHYC10005 Physics 1: Fundamentals
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Medicinal Chemistry Informal specialisation Chemistry Major Chemistry Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Medicinal Chemistry Major Environmental Science - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 11 April 2024