Major Overview

Description

Note: this major is only available to re-enrolling students.

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 preparation and investigation of molecules and materials, the exploration of their properties. 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, theoretical and computational chemistry, quantum chemistry, chemical equilibrium and the properties of polymers and surfactants. 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
  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

Incompatibilities

MJD-CHEMD Chemistry Double Major (ID 4840) and MJD-CHMSY Chemistry - Synthetic (ID 4852) and MJD-CHEMS Chemistry (ID 1466) and MJD-GECDM Geochemistry (ID 4845)

Courses

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

No study plans found for this major. See study plans for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2025 – may be available in 2026 or 2027

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
Successful completion of
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (ID 1063)
or CHEX1003 Introductory Chemistry
or ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or ATAR Subject(s) WACE Chemistry 3A/3B or equivalent
S1, S2 CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (ID 1063)
or CHEX1003 Introductory Chemistry
or ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or ATAR Subject(s) WACE Chemistry 3A/3B or equivalent
S1 SCOM1101 Communicating Science
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Mathematics Applications
or ATAR Subject(s) WACE Mathematics 2C/2D or equivalent
Co-requisites
MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or MATX1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
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
Incompatibility
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry or equivalent
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50] or with permission
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 MATX1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or Mathematics Methods ATAR (with a scaled score of less than 50) or equivalent
Incompatibility
MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1
and MATH1002 Mathematical Methods 2 and
MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus
or MATX1011 Multivariable Calculus
and
MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
or MATX1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
and
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (18 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
N/A CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
Prerequisites
Successful completion of two Unit(s)
CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
or CHEX1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
and
CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
or CHEX1002 Chemistry Structure and Reactivity
Incompatibility
Unit(s) CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
N/A CHEM2002 Physical and Analytical Chemistry
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
or Enrolment in
one Unit(s) CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
N/A CHEM2004 The Chemistry of Reactions
Prerequisites
Successful completion of two Unit(s)
CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
or CHEX1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
and
CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
or CHEX1002 Chemistry Structure and Reactivity
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
or Enrolment in
CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
Incompatibility
Unit(s) CHEM3007 The Chemistry of Reactions

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
N/A CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
Prerequisites
or Unit(s) CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
S2 CHEM3002 Chemical Explorations
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
S1 CHEM3005 Chemical Spectroscopy and Structure
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) CHEM2002 Physical and Analytical Chemistry
and Unit(s) CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
or Unit(s) CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
Enrolment in
Unit(s) CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
N/A CHEM3006 Chemistry Beyond the Laboratory
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) CHEM2002 Physical and Analytical Chemistry
and Unit(s) CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
or Unit(s) CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
Enrolment in
Unit(s) CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills