Chemical Synthesis & Characterisation 2

Subject CHEM90017 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 30 hours in total comprising 2 x 1 hour lectures per week and 6 x 1 hour tutorials per semester.
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours per semester.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: Modules taken as part of subjects CHEM90008 (610-681) or CHEM90007 (610-682) cannot be taken as part of this subject CHEM90017
Core Participation Requirements:

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/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Craig Hutton

Contact

Telephone: 8344 2393
Email: chutton@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

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

Advanced Organic Synthesis
This module will outline some of the major methods of organic synthesis including asymmetric aldol and related reactions, sigmatropic rearrangements and metal-catalysed transformations. Applications in the synthesis of important chiral molecules will be discussed.

Free Radicals in Synthesis
This module will outline the fundamental steps important to radical chain chemistry and show how these principles can be used in the total synthesis of important molecular frameworks.

Lasers in Chemistry
This module will discuss general principles of laser action, the properties of laser beams, some specific types of lasers, laser-based spectroscopic methods, laser photochemistry, ultrafast lasers, and lasers in mass spectrometry.

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.

Photochemistry and Electrochemistry in Synthesis
This module will explore the application of photochemistry and electrochemistry in synthesis, focussing on reactive intermediates (e.g. radicals and ions) which are accessible only with difficulty using standard methods. Applications of these techniques in chemical synthesis will be presented.

Advanced Structural Elucidation
This module explores the fundamentals of structure determination as applied to organic and biological molecules, focussing on methods such as NMR and mass spectrometry. The combination of background theory and range of examples will enhance students’ ability to acquire and analyse experimental data.

Chemical Applications of Synchrotron Radiation
This module will discuss the principles, instrumentation and applications of synchrotron radiation, particularly in the X-ray region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Examples will be drawn from chemical and biochemical systems, and applications to advanced materials and processes.

Electronic Structure and Spectra
This module will explore the application of symmetry to the interpretation of various spectroscopic techniques (absorption, emission, vibronic structure, CD, MCD), in order to determine the structure of, for example, metal complexes.

Objectives: The objectives of this subject are to provide students with an increased knowledge and understanding of advanced chemical principles, with emphasis on:
  • asymmetric synthetic methods
  • advance analytical techniques
  • electro- andphoto-chemical principles
  • laser photochemistry
  • background spectroscopic theory
  • the use of instrumentation
  • analysis of experimental spectroscopic data
Such knowledge will facilitate insights into the structure and properties of matter and the nature of chemical transformations.
Assessment: Each module will be assessed by either;
• a 1.5 hour exam after completion of the module, or
• a 1 hour exam after completion of the module (60%) and an assignment (up to 3000 words, 40%) due at the end of semester, or
• a 1.5 hour exam after completion of the module (80%) and a 15 minute oral presentation mid-semester (20%).

Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: At the completion of this subject, students should 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.
Related Course(s): Master of Science (Chemistry)

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