Chemistry 4B

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Students enrolling in this subject must choose two of the following 12-lecture modules:

Automatic Chemical Analysis
This course will outline advanced methods in the automation of chemical analysis based on the use of batch, robotic and flow analysers. There will be a particular emphasis on flow injection and sequential injection analysis, focussing on clinical, industrial and environmental applications.

Interfacial Chemistry and Sonochemistry
This module will study the production of nanometer-size colloids of metals, polymers and semiconductor particles using ultrasound, and how surface-active solutes affect the yield of the particles produced. The use of sonochemistry to decompose organic pollutants such as PCBs will also be discussed.

Advanced Physical Organic Chemistry
This module will explore the interrelationships between structure and reactivity in organic molecules. Topics such as substituent effects, linear free energy relationships and the Hammett equation will be applied to the determination of organic reaction mechanisms.

Biological and Medicinal Chemistry
This module will explore modern drug design principles, as well as the molecular basis of therapeutic activity and methods of synthesis of various drugs. Case studies will be used to highlight the discovery and development of important drug classes.

Advanced Materials and Materials Characterisation
This module will explore advanced materials such as porous materials, nanomaterials, and materials for clean energy. Common materials characterisation techniques, such as electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and gas sorption, will be studied.

• advanced analytical techniques;
• inter-relationships between structure and reactivity in organic molecules;
• sono-chemical principles; and
• the chemistry of biological systems.

Each module will be assessed by either;

• a 1.5 hour exam after completion of the module, or
• a 1.5 hour exam after completion of the module (80%) and an assignment (2000 words, 20%) due mid-semester, or
• a 1.5 hour exam after completion of the module (80%) and a 15 minute oral presentation mid-semester (20%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the completion of this subject, students will gain skills in:

• advanced problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• an ability to evaluate the professional literature
• an understanding of the changing knowledge base
• a capacity to apply concepts developed in one area to a different context
• the ability to use conceptual models to rationalize experimental observations.