Chemistry: Structure and Properties

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

One of

None

It is recommended that students who plan to major in Chemistry also enrol in two semesters of first year mathematics, for example MAST10005 Calculus 1, MAST10006 Calculus 2 and MAST10007 Linear Algebra.

Students who have completed one of the following subjects may not also gain credit for these subjects:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject covers key concepts related to the stereochemical and electronic properties of molecules and the methods central to their study. Important elements of the subject include the spectroscopic characterisation and quantification of materials by a range of spectroscopic techniques, molecular orbital techniques and the application of approaches based on molecular symmetry and group theory to the understanding of molecular properties, stereo-selective reactions, bonding and spectroscopy. These topics have applications to advanced materials, light emitting polymers, chemical analysis and catalysis in biological and industrial systems.

Upon completion of this subject students should;

• be able to classify molecules according to their symmetry and to relate their physical properties (e.g. dipole moment, isomerism) to the molecular symmetry;
• have a basic knowledge of the basis and application of spectroscopic techniques that are conducted in the presence (NMR, EPR) or absence (IR, Raman, UV-Vis.) of an applied magnetic field;
• be able to apply molecular orbital theory to simple homo- and heteronuclear diatomic molecules and polyatomic molecules;
• be able to apply simple Huckel approaches to arrays of atoms having orbitals of pi symmetry;
• be able to identify systems that are aromatic or antiaromatic in character and to have a knowledge of their basic reactions;
• be able to describe the changes in bonding that occur to small molecules (e.g. CO) on binding to a transition metal and to be able to apply these concepts to the catalysis of reactions of those species.

Five short tests each of approximately 90 minutes duration conducted on-line using the learning management system (LMS) for a total of 20%; the tests will run in weeks 2, 4, 7, 10 and 12 and the mark for this component of the assessment will be based on the average of the four highest marks with each test contributing equally to this component of the assessment. A three hour examination at the end of the semester will contribute 80% to the final grade.

• J McMurry, Organic Chemistry, 8th Ed. Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2012.
• P Atkins and J De Paula, Atkins’ Physical Chemistry 9th Ed. Oxford University Press, 2010.
• P. Atkins, T. Overton, J. Rourke, M. Weller and F. Armstrong, Shriver and Atkins' Inorganic Chemistry, 5th Ed., Oxford University Press, 2010.

None.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

This subject will provide students with opportunities to develop the following generic skills:

• the ability to comprehend complex concepts and effectively communicate this understanding to the scientific community and in a manner accessible to the wider community;
• the ability to analyse and solve abstract technical problems;
• the ability to connect and apply the learnt concepts to a broad range of scientific problems beyond the scope of this subject;
• an awareness of advanced technologies;
• the ability to think and reason logically;
• the ability to think critically and independently.

This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.