91ɫ��Ƭ

CHEM3011

Quantum Nature of Molecules - from Earth to Space

Prerequisite: CHEM2011 (Physical)

Gain a deeper understanding of physical chemistry and ability to utilise contemporary computational and experimental methods. Explore the phenomenological nature of matter at the quantum scale. The first part of the course focuses on establishing the theoretical foundations and introducing powerful new theories including statistical thermodynamics and symmetry. The second part of the course introduces students to the application of these methods in modern computational chemistry. The third part of the course illustrates modern experimental techniques such as laser spectroscopy to elucidate chemical reactions down to the femtosecond timescale. Throughout the course there will be an emphasis on applications of these techniques, for example, in atmospheric chemistry, astrochemistry chemistry and reaction kinetics.

CHEM3021

Organic Chemistry: Modern Synthetic Strategies

Prerequisite: CHEM2021 (Organic)

Note: This course (CHEM3021) is a prerequisite for CHEM3051 (Medicinal)

The need for new functional molecules is greater than ever, with ever-growing demand for new therapeutics and materials for the future. The course will focus on developing key skills in making complicated organic molecules from simple building blocks, and transforming one organic molecule to another using the synthetic toolbox. Students will be trained in modern synthetic methodologies and their application in industry to solve real world problems. The concept of retrosynthetic analysis, a logic-based tool that uses pattern recognition and mechanistic understanding for the design of synthetic pathways, will be taught and illustrated with classic case studies, including the synthesis of natural products and bioactive molecules.

CHEM3031

Inorganic Chemistry: Transition Metals & Complexes

Prerequisite: CHEM2031 (Inorganic)

This course provides insight into the current state-of-art research where metals are used in technologies such as semiconductors, batteries, solar cells, superconductors, and where metals are used in life such as photochemical processes, nitrogen fixation. This course showcases the importance of understanding the role of the metal in these systems. The key components of structural characterization relevant to this understanding are covered and the function derived from the structure expanded. The way chemistry can be used to tune structure and hence properties is shown to underpin all of these technologies and processes in life.

CHEM3041

Advanced Analytical Methods

Prerequisite: CHEM2041 (Analytical)

Is this water safe to drink, or should a factory be charged for polluting it? And is this a question with only two possible answers? This course investigates analytical chemistry and how it can be applied to issues such as water quality, environmental contaminants, drugs, and doping in sports.

This course builds on students’ existing background in analytical chemistry to develop both theory and practice relating to the latest analytical techniques used in industry and research. This course covers advanced separation techniques, mass spectrometry, electroanalytical chemistry and the use of biologically derived analytical techniques. There are among the most widely used analytical instrumental techniques across a broad range of disciplines and industries, and may also be found in the domestic scene, and are necessary for solving a multitude of real world issues.

Examples of such real world issues are understanding the difference between water or soil not containing any lead vs merely not detecting the presence of lead due to a poor analytical technique; and the difference between a measurement of a drug being higher than a legal limit and being able to conclude with confidence that the drug is present at a level above a legal limit. Importantly, you will also learn to recognise when the appropriate answer is “we don’t know”.

This course has a theoretical component to teach the theory of these different techniques and the wide variety of applications; combined with a lab component which will provide hands on experience with the analytical techniques to reinforce the theoretical knowledge, followed by a workshop to build data analysis skills.

CHEM3051

Medicinal Organic Chemistry

Prerequisites: CHEM2021 and CHEM3021 (Organic)

Synthesis of new organic molecules is a core skill that lies at the heart of medicinal chemistry. The development of a new drug, from the design stage to eventual introduction into the clinic, is enabled by comprehensive synthetic skills. This course will explore a range of important techniques necessary for the synthesis of complex organic architectures: synthetic strategy and the use of protecting groups, an introduction to asymmetric synthesis, and polymer-supported synthesis of bimolecular including peptides and nucleic acids.

CHEM3061

Chemistry of Materials

Prerequisites: CHEM2011 (Physical) and CHEM2041 (Analytical)

Chemistry is fundamental not just to the design of small molecules, but increasingly to the preparation of materials ranging from hard colloidal nanomaterials to soft complex macromolecular architectures. These materials have been used by humans throughout the ages: from the Lycurgus Cup of ancient Rome to natural polymers such as wool and silk. This course will explore the synthesis and characterisation of such materials, as well as the physical chemistry that underpins their behaviour both in solution and in the solid state. A particular emphasis will be placed on chemistry at the interface, the modification of surfaces, and the self-assembly of block copolymers for the preparation of nanostructures materials.

CHEM3998

Advanced Special Project in Chemistry

See: Undergraduate Research

This course provides a more sophisticated introduction to the university research environment than CHEM2999 through undertaking a more complex short research project utilising the skills and knowledge obtained by students in their early undergraduate degree. The project will be conducted under the direction of a Chemistry academic member of staff taking advantage of 91ɫ��Ƭ’s world-class researchers and research facilities. Students will engage directly with academics and their research group, becoming involved with the group's regular activities such as group meetings, while learning important research and transferable graduate skills prized throughout academia, industry and business.