Chemistry - Physical and Analytical major

Chemistry is one of the central disciplines studied by scientists as it covers essential understanding for virtually all areas of modern science. Chemistry is the science of molecular scale, encompassing the synthesis and investigation of molecules and materials, the exploration of their properties and the development of their utility.

Do you want to be part of the major advances that are being made in new materials, nanotechnology, the environment or do you have an interest in lasers in spectroscopy and using computers to solve chemical problems? Studying Physical and Analytical Chemistry provides a foundation and detailed understanding for fields such as chemical engineering, energy, materials science, geology, nanotechnology, and the environment. In the Chemistry - Physical and Analytical major, students will also develop an understanding of chemistry in the energy sector, environmental processes, thermodynamics, quantum chemistry, chemical equilibrium and the properties of polymers and surfactants. Physical and Analytical Chemistry at UWA also covers theoretical and computational chemistry, qualitative and quantitative analysis along with the preparation of new materials. A major in Physical and Analytical Chemistry will, importantly, complement majors in other disciplines such as engineering science, environmental science, geology and physics.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) analyse chemical data, develop and test hypotheses, interpret experimental results and present outcomes in oral and written formats; (2) write coherent reports and prepare and deliver coherent presentations, using appropriate software as required
; (3) use the literature to perform experiments and understand current practices in chemistry; (4) solve basic chemical problems (calculations of yields, dilutions, stoichiometry in chemical reactions); (5) critically review the principles of chemical safety
; (6) explain the properties of common classes of chemicals and materials; (7) explain chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, spectroscopy, equilibria and periodic properties, nanotechnology, surfactants, environmental chemistry, Quantum mechanics, Quantum chemistry and crystal engineering; and (8) apply relevant employability skills for chemistry.

Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Prerequisites

Chemistry ATAR or equivalent and Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher

Chemistry - Physical and Analytical can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

BP004 Bachelor of Science
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Overview of unit sequence

Chemistry - Physical and Analytical is a degree-specific single major comprising:

  • three Level 1 units
  • three Level 2 units
  • four Level 3 units
Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2

Level 1

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (18 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
Prerequisites:
Chemistry ATAR
or
WACE Chemistry 3A/3B
or
TEE Chemistry
or
equivalent
or
CHEM1105 Introductory Chemistry
or
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
CHEM1101 Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, CHEM1104 Biological Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
S1, S2 CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
Prerequisites:
ATAR Chemistry
or
WACE Chemistry 3A/3B
or
TEE Chemistry
or
equivalent
or
CHEM1105 Introductory Chemistry
or
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
CHEM1102 Organic Chemistry, CHEM1103 Biological Organic Chemistry
S1 SCOM1101 Communicating Science
Prerequisites:
ATAR Mathematics Applications
or
WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
or
TEE Discrete Mathematics
or
equivalent
or
higher
Co-requisites:
MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (only required if students haven't completed Maths Applications
or
WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
or
TEE Discrete Mathematics
or
equivalent
or
higher). Please note that there will be a delay in validating your enrollment in SCOM1101 after you have enrolled in MATH 1720.
Incompatibility:
Nil
Bridging units
Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1721. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and MATH1721. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete CHEM1003.
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Prerequisites:
Nil.
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
ATAR Chemistry
or
equivalent
or
higher
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites:
Mathematics Applications ATAR (with a scaled score of less than 50)
or
with permission.
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Mathematics Applications ATAR (with a scaled score of 50
or
greater)
or
equivalent
or
higher.
S1, S2 MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
Prerequisites:
Mathematics Applications ATAR
or
MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or
Mathematics Methods ATAR (with a scaled score of less than 50)
or
equivalent .
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
WACE Mathematics: Specialist 3A/3B; MATH1038 Calculus and its Applications; MATH1045 Intermediate Calculus; Mathematics Specialist ATAR; MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1; MATH1002 Mathematical Methods 2; MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus; MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods;
or
STAT1520 Economics and Business Statistics.

Level 2

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (18 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
Prerequisites:
CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics (may be substituted with CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry provided a mark of at least 70 percent is achieved)
and
CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
S2 CHEM2002 Physical and Analytical Chemistry
Prerequisites:
CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
or
CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
CHEM2220 Analytical and Physical Chemistry
S1 CHEM2004 The Chemistry of Reactions
Prerequisites:
CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
and
CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
Co-requisites:
CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
Incompatibility:
CHEM3007 The Chemistry of Reactions, CHEM3304 Analytical and Physical Chemistry

Level 3

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (24 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
Prerequisites:
CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
or
CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
CHEM3309 Chemistry in the Workplace
S2 CHEM3002 Chemical Explorations
Prerequisites:
CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.
S1 CHEM3005 Chemical Spectroscopy and Structure
Prerequisites:
(CHEM2002 Physical and Analytical Chemistry
or
CHEM2220 Analytical and Physical Chemistry)
and
(CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
or
CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry)
Co-requisites:
CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
Incompatibility:
CHEM3304 Analytical and Physical Chemistry
S2 CHEM3006 Chemistry Beyond the Laboratory
Prerequisites:
(CHEM2002 Physical and Analytical Chemistry
or
CHEM2220 Analytical and Physical Chemistry)
and
(CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
or
CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry)
Co-requisites:
CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
Incompatibility:
CHEM3310 Environmental Chemistry

Choosing your degree-specific major

General degrees

You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.

To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .

To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.

The following example illustrates how the Chemistry - Physical and Analytical degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science course.

%Course study plan%

There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .

Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music

You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.

Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.

Choosing a second major

You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.

For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .