Exciton Science (CHEM90041)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
March
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Excitons lie at the heart of many important natural and technological processes including photosynthesis, vision, energy efficient lighting and solar energy conversion. An exciton is a coulombically bound electron-hole pair that is generated in a material either by light absorption or electrical charge injection. Because of the strong coulomb interactions, excitonic materials are very efficient absorbers of light, possess excellent light emission properties, and can exhibit a variety of unique phenomena, such as up- or down- conversion, that can enable us to move beyond the efficiency limits of existing materials. This Masters course provides an overview of exciton science. Advanced topics include techniques to probe excitons, the properties of various materials classes that involve excitonic interactions and applications in photosynthesis, solar cells and light emitting technologies.

Intended learning outcomes

Students completing this subject should be able to:

  • explain what an exciton is
  • explain the relaxation processes of excitons
  • discuss the role of excitons in solar cell and display technologies
  • explain the origins of quantum confinement in excitonic systems
  • describe the photosynthetic process and understand the involvement of excitons
  • discuss light harvesting in natural and artificial systems

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students will have:

  • advanced problem-solving and critical thinking skills
  • an ability to evaluate the professional literature
  • an understanding of the changing knowledge base
  • a capacity to apply concepts developed in one area to a different context
  • the ability to use conceptual models to rationalize experimental observations

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
CHEM30016 Reactivity and Mechanism
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

OR

Equivalent subject

OR

Admission into or selection of one of the following:

  • MC-SCICHE Master of Science (Chemistry)
  • MR-IRCHEM Master of Industrial Research (Chemistry)
  • Chemistry informal specialisation in the BH-SCI Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours)
  • Chemistry informal specialisation in the GDA-SCI Graduate Diploma in Science (Advanced)

Corequisites


Non-allowed subjects


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: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

At the 9-lecture mark each subject will be assessed by a written assignment

  • 1000 words
During the teaching period25%

Examination after completion of the subject (this is seen as equivalent to 1500 words)

  • 1.5 hours
End of the teaching period75%

Additional details

This Dual-Delivery subject has On Campus assessment components.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • March
    Principal coordinatorIvanhoe Leung
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursTotal of 18 contact hours: 12 hours of lectures and 6 hours of tutorials
    Total time commitment85 hours
    Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 28 March 2025
    Last self-enrol date 7 March 2025
    Census date14 March 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 4 April 2025
    Assessment period ends18 April 2025

    March contact information

    ivanhoe.leung@unimelb.edu.au

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the 'last day to withdraw without fail') count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details

This Dual-Delivery subject has On Campus assessment components.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 March 2025