Chemistry
Studying chemistry at UNE offers students exciting opportunities at the undergraduate and postgraduate level and provides the opportunity to gain insights into the world-class research occurring at UNE.
Chemistry is often referred to as "the central science", because it connects all areas of sciences. The discipline of Chemistry at UNE plays a vital role in the education of students across many areas of science and science education as well as those majoring in chemistry. Chemistry is concerned with the structure, properties and reactions of substances at the atomic, molecular and macromolecular scale. Substances studied by chemists range from the commonplace such as air and water to unique compounds produced in research laboratories or those extracted from natural sources.
Chemistry can be studied both on campus and online at UNE. Chemistry at UNE rates highly for teaching at all levels, from undergraduate through to PhD. We offer students both on campus and online study options, with online students gaining valuable laboratory skills through on-campus intensive schools, which are held in Armidale, NSW. On-line study also allows students to remain in employment and/or familiar surroundings, whilst gaining a full qualification in chemistry or related disciplines. Chemistry staff are committed to making the study of chemistry as accessible as possible and to instil a passion for chemistry and its life-long learning. The highly qualified staff are friendly, approachable and utilise flexible modes of teaching to facilitate the learning of high-level skills. Our teaching and research facilities are world class, as are the team's research activities. This is evidenced by our Level 3 (at world standard) and Level 5 (well above world standard) star ratings in the latest Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) for Chemical Sciences and Macromolecular and Materials areas of research. Our commitment to teaching excellence has a history of national and international recognition with active participation in the chemical education community and several staff receiving awards and citations such as RACI Educator of the Year (Dr Erica Smith 2017), Australian Awards for University Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (Dr Siew Chong and the UNE STEM Gamemakers Team, 2021; Dr Erica Smith, 2016) and a Carrick Award for Australian University Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (Dr Peter Lye & discipline 2007). For students with no prior study in science or chemistry, UNE offers alternate pathways into science based undergraduate degree programs via the Bachelor of Scientific Studies or Diploma in Science. Undergraduate Bachelor of Science* * Majors in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Science are available within the Bachelor of Science (BSc) or the BSc component of double or combined degrees. Bachelor of Scientific Studies Bachelor Honours Postgraduate Study by Coursework Graduate Diploma in Science Master of Scientific Studies Postgraduate Study by Research Units in Undergraduate Chemistry 100 level 200 level 300 level Honours SCI400 Honours in Chemistry Postgraduate CHEM404 Biological and Organic Chemistry FSC510 Forensic and Analytical Chemistry SCI499 Graduate Diploma in Science Thesis SCI599 Master of Scientific Studies Thesis Chemistry is typically considered the “Central Science” or “Enabling Science” as so many fields depend on chemistry. Therefore, the study of chemistry can lead to a range of career options. Some of these include working in analytical chemistry or forensic laboratories or working in areas such as: Chemistry graduates are problem solvers and have analytical and communication skills which are essential and sought after, in many workplaces. It is rocket science. But physics is the future for many careers. UNE has a strong tradition of research and teaching in chemistry across the breadth of the discipline. We are proud that in the 2018 ERA (Excellence in Research Australia), chemistry at UNE was recognised as well above world-class in macromolecular and materials chemistry. Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry Computational Chemistry Natural Products Chemistry Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry Organometallic Chemistry Environmental and Analytical Chemistry Chemistry Education Chemistry at UNE has a long history of excellence in teaching and learning that includes an active interest in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in chemistry. Research in this area focusses in particular on online and distance learning, , e-learning, computational chemical education, equity, and regional, rural and remote higher education. For current research opportunities contact Associate Professor Erica Smith, Dr Siew Chong or Dr Adam Rosser. We offer a Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) accredited undergraduate major in chemistry and a medicinal chemistry major. Undergraduates can engage in research by taking a dedicated research unit (SCI395) and will also experience research modules embedded within later year units. Students can undertake PhD and MSc postgraduate research degrees in areas supported by our academic staff. More information on the chemistry teaching program can be found here. The discipline is supported with state-of-the-art chemical analysis and characterisation tools and advanced high-performance computing facilities for molecular and material design. Undergraduate students are introduced to selected research equipment while postgraduate students are trained to use all relevant instruments as part of their degrees. View the list of instrumentation available at UNE. Computational Chemistry Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Program Computational chemistry is a branch of chemistry that uses supercomputers to study the details of chemical processes at the atomic level. Due to significant advances in quantum theory and supercomputer technology, these computational simulations are capable of unprecedented accuracy and resolution. Therefore, computational chemistry provides means for the rational design of new molecules and materials with tailored chemical properties. As such, computational chemistry is highly cross-disciplinary and is integral to chemical research across the natural sciences. Prominent examples include: * Computational design of materials for clean energy technologies * Computational design of environmentally sustainable catalysts * Artificial intelligence applications in drug design * Computational design of materials for hydrogen storage * In-silico design of DNA and RNA vaccines Professors Amir Karton and Erica Smith and Dr. Tanveer Hussain established the Centre for Molecular and Material Design (CMMD), which is dedicated to the computational design of 2D materials for next-generation ion battery technologies, hydrogen storage, green catalysis, and drug design. This research lies at the interface of material science, biotechnology, chemistry, and physics and is well aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of affordable and clean energy, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all. The University of New England offers an online higher degree by research (HDR) program in computational chemistry with access to state-of-the-art supercomputers and collaborations with experimental groups in the chemistry discipline (e.g., Drs. Brendan Wilkinson, Ben Greatrex, Ali Bagheri and Stephen Bosi). This program prepares HDR students with STEM skills and the computational expertise they need for jobs in developing sectors, such as data science, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, automation, smart health technologies, smart mining, advanced manufacturing, digital agriculture, and energy solutions. For further details about this program, see: [placeholder link] or contact Prof. Amir Karton at amir.karton@une.edu.au. Computational Design of Next Generation 2D Catalysts During the past decade, computational chemistry has had an unprecedented impact on almost all branches of chemistry as a powerful approach for designing new molecules and materials. The increasing computational power provided by supercomputers and the emergence of highly accurate theories make contemporary computational chemistry one of the most powerful “microscopes” currently available for examining the atomic and electronic details of molecular processes. The computational chemistry lab of Professor Amir Karton uses powerful supercomputers in conjunction with highly accurate theoretical methods to design functional molecules and materials. In this project, you will use density functional theory to design two-dimensional nanomaterials with tailored properties for catalysis, hydrogen storage, and molecular sensing. For more details, see recent papers from the Karton lab: * A. A. Kroeger, A. Karton. Graphene-induced planarization of cyclooctatetraene derivatives. J. Comput. Chem., 43, 96–105 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/jcc.26774 * A. Karton. Catalysis on Pristine 2D Materials via Dispersion and Electrostatic Interactions. J. Phys. Chem. A, 124, 6977 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.0c05386 * A. Kroeger, J. F. Hooper, A. Karton. Pristine graphene as a racemization catalyst for axially chiral BINOL. ChemPhysChem, 21, 1675 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1002/cphc.202000426 * A. Kroeger, A. Karton. Catalysis by pure graphene – From supporting actor to protagonist through shape complementarity. J. Org. Chem., 84, 11343 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.9b01909 * T. Hussain, M. Sajjad, D. Singh, H. Bae, H. Lee, J. A. Larsson, R. Ahuja, A. Karton. Sensing of Volatile Organic Compounds on Two-Dimensional Nitrogenated Holey Graphene, Graphdiyne, and Their Heterostructure. Carbon, 163, 213 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2020.02.078 * K. Alhameedi, T. Hussain, D. Jayatilaka, A. Karton. Reversible hydrogen storage properties of defect-engineered C4N nanosheets under ambient conditions. Carbon, 152, 344–353 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2019.05.080 * T. Hussain, B. Mortazavi, H. Bae, T. Rabczuk, H. Lee, A. Karton. Enhancement in Hydrogen Storage Capacities of Light Metal Functionalized Boron–Graphdiyne Nanosheets. Carbon, 147, 199 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2019.02.085 Project supervision is possible both online and face-to-face (contact: Prof. Amir Karton at amir.karton@une.edu.au). Required skills, knowledge, or experience: 1) We are looking for highly motivated students interested in computational chemistry 2) A strong background in chemistry is an advantage 3) Basic background in UNIX is an advantage Development of Quantum Chemical Theories Quantum chemistry composite ab initio methods are the most accurate methods in contemporary computational chemistry. These theories combine large-scale electronic structure calculations with sophisticated extrapolation techniques to achieve unprecedented accuracies in thermochemical, kinetic, and spectroscopic predictions. The recently developed explicitly correlated techniques extend the applicability of these theories to larger systems. This project will explore the combination of these theories as well as other avenues for reducing the computational cost of ab initio procedures in order to extend their applicability to biomolecules and nanomaterials. For more details, see recent papers from the Karton lab: * A. Karton. Fullerenes Pose a Strain on Hybrid Density Functional Theory. J. Phys. Chem. A, available online (2022). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.2c02246 * B. Chan, A. Karton. Assessment of DLPNO-CCSD(T)-F12 and Its Use for the Formulation of the Low-Cost and Reliable L-W1X Composite Method. J. Comput. Chem., 43, 1394–1402 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1002/jcc.26892 * B. Chan, A. Karton. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: From Small Molecules Through Nano-Sized Species Towards Bulk Graphene. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 23, 17713–17723 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CP01659H * A. Karton. Effective basis set extrapolations for CCSDT, CCSDT(Q), and CCSDTQ correlation energies. J. Chem. Phys., 153, 024102 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0011674 * A. Karton. Highly accurate CCSDT(Q)/CBS reaction barrier heights for a diverse set of transition structures: Basis set convergence and cost-effective approaches for estimating post-CCSD(T) contributions. J. Phys. Chem. A, 123, 6720 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.9b04611 * B. Chan, A. Karton, K. Raghavachari. G4(MP2)-XK: A Variant of the G4(MP2)-6X Composite Method with Expanded Applicability for Main Group Elements up to Radon. J. Chem. Theory Comput., 15, 4478 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jctc.9b00449 * A. Karton. Post-CCSD(T) contributions to total atomization energies in multireference systems. J. Chem. Phys., 149, 034102 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5036795 * A. Karton. A computational chemist’s guide to accurate thermochemistry for organic molecules. Wiley Interdiscip. Rev. Comput. Mol. Sci., 6, 292 (2016). http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wcms.1249 Project supervision is possible both online and face-to-face (contact: Prof. Amir Karton at amir.karton@une.edu.au). Required skills, knowledge, or experience: 1) We are looking for highly motivated students interested in computational chemistry 2) A strong background in computational/theoretical chemistry is an advantage 3) Basic background in UNIX and/or programming is an advantage Computational design of advanced two-dimensional (2D) materials for catalysis, hydrogen storage, molecular separation, water purification, and CO2 capture Copper complexes as a source of redox active MRI contrast agents Robust and Ultrasensitive Polymer Membrane-Based Carbonate-Selective Electrodes Palladium-Catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura, Heck and Hydroarylation Reactions on (–)-Levoglucosenone and Application to the Synthesis of Chiral γ-Butyrolactones Inhibition of Homogeneous Formation of Magnesium Hydroxide by Low Molar Mass Poly(Acrylic Acid) with Different End-Groups HERON reactions of anomeric amides: understanding the driving force The effect of Z-group modification on the RAFT polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone controlled by “switchable” N-pyridyl-functional dithiocarbamates To learn more about the research being carried out by staff in the chemistry discipline please click the below link. After completing of a major in chemistry, UNE graduates are able to apply for membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (MRACI) and after three years' employment in a relevant area, may use the additional title Chartered Chemist (C.Chem). Societies and Organisations Royal Australian Chemical Institute Miscellaneous Links
This course is designed to provide students with the skills and techniques necessary for solving problems associated with a broad of range of issues in science. The extensive range of majors, which are available in established and emerging, generalist and specialist sciences, are all underpinned by cutting edge research.
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science*
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws*
Bachelor of Education (Secondary Science)
This course provides students with basic skills and knowledge in a range of disciplines in science through a coherent program of study. Graduates will have a broad scientific background to assist with future employment or to pursue further study.
Bachelor of Science with Honours
This course is designed to allow suitably qualified graduates to extend their studies in areas relevant to the sciences, either to improve their career prospects or to proceed to higher degree studies.
Graduate Certificate in Science
Chemistry is a component in two majors in the Graduate Certificate in Science – Chemistry and Physical Sciences.
Chemistry is a component of three majors in the Graduate Diploma in Science - Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Physical Sciences. Each major allows the opportunity to complete a small research project.
Chemistry is a component of two majors in the Master of Scientific Studies – Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry. Each major allows the opportunity to complete a research project.
Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Science
CHEM110 Chemistry I
CHEM120 Chemistry II
CHEM100 Introductory Chemistry
FSC102 Fundamentals in Forensic Science
CHEM204 Biological and Organic Chemistry
CHEM210 Physical Chemistry: Quantum and Thermal Structure
CHEM220 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM250 Analytical Chemistry
CHEM302 Advanced Organic Chemistry
CHEM303 Medicinal Chemistry
CHEM305 Applied Physical Chemistry
CHEM306 Materials Chemistry
FSC310 Forensic and Analytical Chemistry
SCI395 Science Report
CHEM502 Advanced Organic Chemistry
CHEM503 Medicinal Chemistry
CHEM505 Applied Physical Chemistry
CHEM506 Materials Chemistry
Are you driven by curiosity?Our Research groups include, but are not limited to:
Research Staff in Chemistry
Research Facilities
Research in the Spotlight
Australian Academy of Science
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
Science and Technology Australia (STA)
Royal Society of Chemistry
The American Chemical Society
The New Zealand Institute of Chemistry
Chemical Institute of Canada
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI)
Chemistry Australia: The Business of Chemistry Essential for Life
Science Magazine
New Scientist Magazine
Scientific American Magazine
International System of Units (SI) from NIST
Web Elements - A comprehensive periodic table
Lentech Periodic Table - A periodic table including detailed information on all elements
The Lab - The ABC's science site
Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre
How Stuff Works
Organic Chemistry Portal
For further information on Chemistry at UNE, please contact the Discipline Convenor.
