At UNE there is a wide range of undergraduate units to suit those who wish to major in chemistry or for those who wish to supplement studies in other branches of science with more specific areas of chemistry. Most units in Chemistry are available for study in both internal and external (distance education) modes.
There are three units offered at introductory level, and two units at foundation level. The foundation level units, CHEM 123 and CHEM 123S, are preparatory units to accommodate those students who have a weak background in chemistry.Under some circumstances these units can be counted towards a degree, but only if they are followed by enrolment in the other introductory units CHEM 110 and CHEM 120.
The introductory units are CHEM 110, CHEM 120 and CHEM 130. For most degree patterns, including the BSc, BEnvSc, BRurSc and BNatRes, enrolment in both CHEM 110 and 120 is required. CHEM 130 is designed specifically for BAgr and some BNatRes and BEnvSc degree programs.
All units are designed to provide the foundations for an understanding of the basic chemical concepts which are an essential part of most branches of science in many degree patterns. CHEM 110 and CHEM 120 together fulfil the prerequisite and corequisite requirements for all of the 200 level Units offered in the BSc.
All first year units in chemistry are six credit point units which involve three lectures, a tutorial, and a 3.5 hour practical session per week throughout one semester.
All 100 level units in Chemistry are offered in both internal and external (distance education) modes. In external mode, a residential school replaces the weekly practical sessions, and learning material is provided in the form of extensive course notes.
There are four second-year, or 200 level, semester-long six credit point units in Chemistry: CHEM 201 Physical Chemistry; CHEM 202 Inorganic Chemistry; CHEM 203 Analytical and Environmental Chemistry; and CHEM 204 Organic and Biological Chemistry. There is a choice of topics for students undertaking second-year units who are not intending to major in Chemistry, whereas chemistry majors would normally enrol in all four units. Each unit consists of approximately 26 lectures and 45 hours of practical work. All second year units are offered in both internal and external modes.
The third-year or 300 level units in Chemistry are divided into a number of six credit point units. Normally, all units are offered in both internal and external modes each year, except for CHEM 304 which is external mode only. (Note that internal students may enrol in external units). Again, there is considerable choice of units for students not proceeding to a major in Chemistry. The units are: CHEM 301 Molecular Symmetry and Spectroscopy; CHEM 302 Organic Structure and Reactivity; CHEM 303 Biological Chemistry; CHEM 304 Computational Chemistry; CHEM 305 Control of Chemical Reactions; CHEM 306 Nanomaterials. Each six-credit point unit consists of approximately 26 lectures and 45 hours of associated practical work in the internal mode, and equivalent study and residential school requirements as an external unit.
A student will not normally be permitted to proceed to Honours unless at least some credit grades at 300-year level have been achieved.
There are Advanced units in Chemistry at all 100, 200, and 300 levels. Advanced units offer extra depth in material covered in the given course, by extra reading topics and tutorials beyond that for the ordinary level unit. With an increased depth of coverage and a greater level of understanding, these Advanced level units count towards the BSc(Adv) degree. Usually to enrol in an advanced unit at least a distinction grade in the prerequisite for that unit is required.
The BSC(Adv) degree requires that 36 credit points of advanced units be taken during the course of the degree, with at least 18 credit points being at 300 level.