UNSW - School of Chemistry - Undergraduate Study

Chemistry is one of the central sciences. The study of Chemistry will appeal to those with an inquiring, analytical mind and good powers of observation. These skills are developed during our degree programs and make our Chemistry graduates sought after in areas of management, law and finance, as well as research and development, manufacturing and processing, and chemical analysis laboratory positions. A science degree with a major in Chemistry opens up a wealth of career opportunities. The picture on the right shows the new air-conditioned first year laboratory with state of the art fume hoods, completed in November 2006.

The School of Chemistry is involved in teaching a number of courses in the Nanotechnology program. For more details see the UNSW Nanotechnology web page. The Science@UNSW web site provides a comprehensive overview of all science degrees at UNSW.

Studying Chemistry at UNSW

Students interested in studying for a degree in Chemistry have a number of options:

The Advanced Science degree offers a choice of two chemistry programs, Chemistry and Medical Chemistry. Both of these are four-year honours programs targetted at those wishing to enter a chemistry-related profession and offering special higher level courses from year 1.

The Science degree provides great flexibility, allowing you to choose Chemistry as your major, combined with a minor from a wide range of options (including other science courses, computing, arts or commerce). Double major options and a fourth (honours) year are also available in the Science degree structure.

Environmental Science is a specialist degree focusing on environmental science, policy and law and offering an Environmental Chemistry specialisation. Chemistry can also be chosen as a major within various Combined Degrees, including Science with Arts, Commerce, Education, Engineering or Law.

A number of attractive course combinations are also available to students wishing to do a Minor in Chemistry.

Summary of Degrees and Programs

Advanced Science	UAC Code 429013
Chemistry An honours degree targetted at those wishing to enter a chemistry or chemistry-related profession, with the flexibility to choose electives in other areas of science. Medical Chemistry A four year degree leading to careers in medical and biological chemistry research as well as in the pharmaceutical and health care industries. Combines Chemistry with Molecular Biology, Physiology and Pharmacology, allowing honours research in these cross-disciplinary areas of chemistry to be undertaken.

Science	UAC Code 429000
Chemistry Major A three year degree with a major in chemistry and a minor chosen from a wide range of options, in science, arts, computing or commerce. Double majors with chemistry and a related discipline (eg biochemistry, geology, materials science) can also be chosen. An optional honours (4th) year can be added.

Environmental Science	UAC Code 429008
Environmental Chemistry is a specialist program within the Environmental Science degree. This is a specially designed 4 year program offering a strong chemistry strand together with courses in biology, geography and environmental science, policy and law. The honours year involves a major research thesis.

Combined Degrees Chemistry can be taken as a major component of the combined degrees listed below. These degrees enable students to combine science with another major area of interest thus opening up educational and professional opportunities. In most cases the degrees require 4 years of study, with honours in one component taking a 5th year of study. A range of combined Science/Engineering degrees (5 year programs) is also available. Consult the Student Advisor for more information (E-mail chemistry@unsw.edu.au; phone 9385 4666).
Science/Commerce	UAC Code 424000
To enter this program, you will need to meet the UAI cut-off requirements for Commerce and also have the appropriate background for your chosen science major. The UAC code is the same as that for Commerce - students opt for their choice of combined degree at enrolment time. For more detailed advice on course choices when combining chemistry with commerce, talk to the Student Advisor in the School of Chemistry.
Science/Law	UAC Code 426001
5 years full time (BSc LLB). Honours in the Science component requires a 6th year of study, often taken in the 4th year of the degree. Students can choose to major in chemistry for the science component of the degree.
Science/Arts	UAC Code 429001
A degree combining programs in Science and Arts, this degree offers the opportunity to study courses across a wide range of disciplines from the Arts and Sciences. Honours can be taken in either a Science or an Arts major.
Science/Education	UAC Code 429002
Students follow a Science major program in their first 3 years, along with prescribed and elective education studies courses. Year 4 is dedicated to the study and practice of education. Honours can be taken in Science or in Education with a 5th year of study.

More detailed descriptions of these programs and the chemistry courses offered both to chemistry majors and to students from other degree programs are available on this site. Timetable information is also provided for all courses offered by the School of Chemistry. Undergraduate scholarships are offered by the University and by the School of Chemistry. Honours and summer scholarships are also available.

Current and prospective students (including transfer students from other programs or institutions) can obtain individual advice from the Student Centre, Room 105, Dalton building; Tel. (02) 9385 4666, Fax. (02) 9385 6141, e-mail: chemistry@unsw.edu.au.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Honours students carry out a major research project in their final year. Scholarships are offered both by the School of Chemistry and by Industry or Government organisations to honours students in chemistry.

Summer scholarships are also offered during the December - February vacation for 2nd and 3rd year students to obtain research experience in the School of Chemistry.

Industry Experience for Undergraduates

Honours research projects can be carried out in collaboration with industry or government laboratories. Students are encouraged to seek summer placements in industry. The School also organises year-in-industry placements for students wishing to gain more extensive workplace experience before graduating.

Learning Resources

The School of Chemistry offers high quality laboratory teaching to all undergraduate students. The School's Gibson computer laboratory provides self-paced computer-aided learning and multimedia resources for chemistry students. Much of the software available in the computer laboratory is written in the School to supplement other teaching methods. For example there are pre- and post-laboratory exercises for all first year courses. In some courses the computers are used for regular assessment of students' progress. Other software, for example specialised spectroscopic programs for the simulation and analysis of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and infra-red spectra, together with graphing and spreadsheet programs are available. The laboratory is staffed by tutors who are available to assist all chemistry students.

Lecture notes and other learning resources for many chemistry courses are available at this web site or through WebCT.

Students of Chemistry Society

The Students of Chemistry Society (SOCS), whose membership includes all chemistry students, organises social and sporting events throughout the year. Social areas in our new building overlook the University Mall and the Village Green.