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 to the exploration of their properties. Do you want to contribute to the major advances being made in pharmaceuticals, catalysis, new materials and industrial manufacturing? Studying Synthetic Chemistry provides both a foundation in and detailed understanding of fields including chemical reactions and processes, catalysis, green chemistry, chemical engineering, natural products, food science, cosmetic and fragrance industries, materials science, nanotechnology, biochemistry, pharmacology and molecular biology. In Synthetic Chemistry, Major students will develop an understanding of complex reactions, the mechanisms of reactions and the physical and chemical manipulations that can be used to make reactions occur. A major in Synthetic Chemistry will complement majors in other disciplines such as biochemistry and molecular biology, pharmacology and engineering.

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 reaction mechanisms, the synthesis and reactivity of inorganic compounds, coordination complexes, small organic molecules, primary and secondary metabolism, natural products and metals in biology, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics and spectroscopy
  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 or equivalent or higher

Incompatibilities

MJD-CHMPH Chemistry - Physical and Analytical (ID 4853) and MJD-CHEMD Chemistry Double Major (ID 4840) and MJD-CHEMS Chemistry (ID 1466)

Courses

Chemistry - Synthetic 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 CHEM2003 Chemical Synthesis
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
Enrolment in
Unit(s) CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
N/A CHEM2005 The Molecules of Life
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics (ID 1188)
or CHEX1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
and
CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity (ID 1191)
or CHEX1002 Chemistry Structure and Reactivity
and CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
Incompatibility
Unit(s) CHEM3008 The Molecules of Life (ID 6085)
and CHEM2221 Biological and Medicinal Chemistry (ID 6331)

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 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
N/A CHEM3003 Advanced Chemical Synthesis
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) CHEM2003 Chemical Synthesis
or Unit(s) CHEM2211 Synthetic and Materials Chemistry
and Successful completion of
one 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 CHEM3004 Modern Methods in Organic Chemistry
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) CHEM2003 Chemical Synthesis
or Unit(s) CHEM2211 Synthetic and Materials Chemistry
and Successful completion of
one 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