UNSW - School of Chemistry - Undergraduate Study

UNSW Chemistry Bridging Course

Many students find chemistry challenging at university, even those who have done HSC chemistry. The Chemistry Bridging Course offers a valuable way to revise chemistry in preparation for doing it at UNSW (or other universities).

UNSW offers choices of Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics Bridging Courses for students to get experience of how they are taught at university level.
Each course has a total of 36 - 42 hours of lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes and/or demonstration sessions.
The Chemistry Bridging Course is intended as an aid - it is not a specific pre-requisite for enrolling in chemistry at UNSW.

Who is eligible?

All Year 12 (or equivalent) students, older students, and deferring students. If you intend to study at another university you may still enrol in a UNSW Bridging Course. However, we advise you to ensure that the Bridging Course you select is recognised by that institution.

For all details, including registration procedure, see the UNSW Bridging Courses site.

General Information for First Year Students

Students enrolled in Engineering programs may need to take some Chemistry courses and should seek advice from the School handling their major.

First year laboratory classes are held in a brand new laboratory (shown on the right) featuring large screen multimedia displays and state of the art fume hoods. The laboratory is air conditioned (as are all of our new teaching laboratories).

CHEM1001 - Introductory Chemistry

Staff contact: Dr N. K. Roberts
UOC6 HPW6 WKS12 S1

Introductory Chemistry is designed for students entering University with little or no previous background in Chemistry. The course will provide basic descriptions of atomic and molecular structure, nomenclature, the Periodic Table, stoichiometry, equilibrium, kinetics, common reaction types, acids and bases, and the fundamentals of organic chemistry. In addition to the core material several enrichment lectures dealing with topical material will be presented.

Note : Enrolment in CHEM1001 is not recommended for students with an adequate performance in HSC Chemistry (or equivalent). CHEM1001 is not a necessary prerequisite for any UNSW courses, and students intending to progress to Level II Chemistry must complete, in sequence, CHEM1011/CHEM1021, or CHEM1031/CHEM1041.

CHEM1011 - Fundamentals of Chemistry 1A

Staff contact: Dr N. K. Roberts
UOC6 HPW6 WKS12 S1 and S2
Assumed Knowledge: a basic knowledge of chemistry (equivalent to one year of high school chemistry)

Elements, compounds and stoichiometry. Basic atomic structure and periodicity. Properties of gases. Thermodynamics (1st Law). Reactions classes. Equilibrium. Acids and bases. Behaviour of oxides, hydroxides, halides. Reactions of organic compounds.

CHEM1021 - Fundamentals of Chemistry 1B

Staff contact: Dr N. K. Roberts
UOC6 HPW6 WKS12 S2 and X1(summer)
Prerequisite: CHEM1011

Atomic and molecular structure. Properties of solutions. Solids and solubilities. Aqueous chemistry. Thermodynamics (2nd Law). Electrochemistry. Mechanisms in organic chemistry.

CHEM1031 - Higher Chemistry 1C

Staff contact: Dr N. K. Roberts
UOC6 HPW6 WKS12 S1
Assumed knowledge: equivalent to a good standard in high school chemistry (HSC 2 unit chemistry (75-100) or equivalent)

Atomic structure and periodicity. Structure and shapes of molecules. Chemical reactions, rates and mechanisms. Reactions of organic compounds. Includes advanced laboratory work.

CHEM1041 - Higher Chemistry 1D

Staff contact: Dr N. K. Roberts
UOC6 HPW6 WKS12 S2
Prerequisite/s: CHEM1031

Properties of gases. Atmospheric chemistry. Properties of liquids and solids. Solubility and properties of solutions. Thermodynamics and equilibrium. Aqueous chemistry. Electrochemistry. Includes advanced laboratory work.

CHEM1831 - Chemistry for Health, Exercise and Medical Science

Staff contact: Dr N. K. Roberts
UOC6 HPW6 WKS12 S1
Excluded: CHEM1031, CHEM1011.
Assumed Knowledge: a basic knowledge of chemistry equivalent to the NSW Year 11 Chemistry syllabus.

Atomic and molecular structure, states of matter, thermodynamics, equilibrium chemistry in aqueous solution and introductory kinetics, the chemistry of organic compounds, stereochemistry, functional groups and their reactions especially amines, amides, acids and esters, redox chemistry of oxygen.

CHEM1829 - Biological Chemistry for Optometry Students

Staff contact: Dr N. K. Roberts
UOC6 HPW6 WKS12 S2
Prerequisite/s: CHEM1031
Note/s: Restricted to course 3950.

Carbon compounds and their reactions. Amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and lipids. Biological organic chemistry. Enzymology. Bioenergetics, Carbohydrate metabolism; oxidative phosphorylation. Metabolism and hormone function.

First Year Undergraduate Courses