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Chemistry

Foundation Courses

Foundation Chemistry 1

Introduction to elements, compounds, the periodic table, atomic structure, covalent bonding, molecular shape and polarity. Quantitative chemistry, including balancing equations, calculating moles and particles present, calculation of concentration in mol L-1. Energy and thermo-chemistry. Laboratories include practical skills and qualitative analysis, and simple modelling.

Foundation Chemistry 2

Introduces further principles of chemistry. Physical chemistry and qualitative inorganic analysis, including chemical kinetics and chemical equilibrium. Organic chemistry, including hydrocarbons, oxygen-containing functional groups, isomerism and reaction classifications, acids, bases, buffer solutions and titrations. Laboratories include reactions of hydrocarbon and oxygen-containing organic compounds, chromatography, testing for anions and cations in solution, acid-base titrations.
This course requires prior enrolment in CHEM 91F.

Preparatory Courses

Preparatory Chemistry 1

Preparatory introduction to elements, compounds, the periodic table, atomic structure, covalent bonding, molecular shape and polarity. Quantitative chemistry, including balancing equations, calculating moles and particles present, calculation of concentration in mol L-1. Energy and thermo-chemistry. Laboratories include practical skills and qualitative analysis, and simple modelling.

Restriction: CHEM 91F, 91W

Stage I

Note: For students who have not had the opportunity to study Chemistry previously, or wish to refresh their knowledge, attention is drawn to the Preparatory Chemistry course offered by the School of Chemical Sciences at the start of each academic year. For exceptionally well qualified students, Stage I requirements may be waived.

Molecules that Changed the World

The impact of chemistry on the modern world will be explored by focusing on the stories of specific molecules, including penicillin, DDT and nylon. Their discovery, the underlying chemical principles that explain their behaviour, their impact on our lives including social and scientific issues that arise from their use, and their likely impact on the future will be investigated.

Prerequisite: No formal prerequisite, but the course assumes a science background at Year 11 or higher

Chemistry of the Living World

A foundation for understanding the chemistry of life is laid by exploring the diversity and reactivity of organic compounds. A systematic study of reactivity focuses on the site and mechanism of reaction including application of chemical kinetics. A quantitative study of proton transfer reactions features control of pH of fluids in both living systems and the environment.
It is recommended that students with a limited background in chemistry take CHEM 150 prior to CHEM 110.

Chemistry of the Material World

The chemistry of the elements and their compounds is explored. The relationship between molecular structure and reactivity, the role of energy, concepts of bond formation and chemical equilibrium are discussed. Issues such as sustainability, energy and fuels, and the creation of new materials are also discussed.

It is recommended that students with a limited background in chemistry take CHEM 150 prior to CHEM 120.

Concepts in Chemistry

The fundamentals of chemistry are explored with a view to enhancing understanding of the chemical nature of the world around us and providing a foundation for further study in chemistry. Special attention is paid to familiarisation with the language of chemistry and the chemist's perspective of the properties of matter and its transformations.
It is recommended that students with a limited background in chemistry take this course prior to CHEM 110 or CHEM 120.

Restriction: May not be taken with or after any other Chemistry course

Stage II

Physical and Materials Chemistry

Physical chemistry is essential for developing and interpreting the modern techniques used to investigate the structure and properties of matter. Materials chemistry is an increasingly important subject aimed at producing new or improved materials for a variety of practical applications. Covers topics involving the application of physical chemistry to the study of modern materials: polymer chemistry, electrochemistry and energy storage, and the electrical properties of solids.
An understanding of basic maths at the level covered in MATHS 102 will be assumed.

Prerequisite: Either CHEM 110 and 120, or B- in CHEM 110 or 120

Inorganic Compounds: Structure, Bonding and Reactivity

Modern inorganic chemistry encompasses the study of compounds with a broad diversity of reactivities, structures and bonding types. Often these have widespread relevance for many other areas of science and technology. Fundamental concepts in atomic and molecular structure will be provided to give a foundation for examples drawn from coordination, bioinorganic, organometallic and main group chemistry. The associated laboratories provide complementary experience in synthesis and measurement of physical properties for selected inorganic compounds.

Prerequisite: Either CHEM 110 and 120, or B- in CHEM 110 or 120

Molecules for Life: Synthesis and Reactivity

Students will build on their repertoire of fundamental reaction types that have previously been encountered with the introduction of new reactions and their application to more complex molecules of biological and medicinal importance. The laboratory course is an integral component of the course that emphasises preparative chemistry and the use of modern spectroscopic methods for structure determination.

Prerequisite: Either CHEM 110 and CHEM 120 or B- in CHEM 110 or 120

Measurement and Analysis in Chemistry and Health Sciences

An introduction to the physico-chemical principles and techniques underlying a wide range of modern analytical methods used in chemistry and the biomedical sciences. Topics include chromatographic methods for the separation of complex mixtures, the application of modern electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques to analytical problems, and methods for assessing the reliability of results. Experiments illustrating these principles are an integral part of this course.

Prerequisite: Either CHEM 110 and CHEM 120 or B- in CHEM 110 or 120
An understanding of basic mathematics at the level covered in MATHS 102 will also be assumed.

Physicochemical Principles for Pharmacy

Topics of physical chemistry and chemical measurement relevant to the bioscience and health science student. Atomic theory, molecular bonding and structure, the behaviour of gases and other phases of matter, essential thermodynamics, electrochemistry, reactions at surfaces, and basic assay and chromatography principles. Associated laboratories focus upon reinforcing underlying principles through practical exercises using materials and concepts pertinent to the bioscience and health science experience.

Prerequisite: CHEM 110 and a minimum of 90 points passed
Restriction: CHEM 210, 240

Environmental Chemical Processes

An introduction to the chemistry of the natural environment, including biogeochemical cycling of elements and chemical processes operating in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. The objective is to develop a good understanding of how the natural environment works. The laboratory programme includes analytical methods and concepts central to environmental chemistry.
No formal prerequisite, but knowledge of aspects of chemistry and laboratory practice at the level covered in CHEM 110 and 120 will be assumed.

Stage III

Structural Chemistry and Spectroscopy

Molecular structure is fundamental to the understanding of modern chemistry. Molecular spectroscopy provides an important method for probing the structure of molecules, and the following aspects of this subject will be presented: molecular energies and molecular spectra, molecular symmetry and spectroscopy, surface spectroscopy and the structure and chemistry of surfaces.

Prerequisite: CHEM 210

Design and Reactivity of Inorganic Compounds

A selection of the most recent developments in contemporary inorganic chemistry will be covered. These will include ligand design and reactivity in coordination chemistry, macrocyclic chemistry, redox chemistry, photochemistry, construction of devices, organometallic chemistry, catalysis, and main group rings, chains, clusters and polymers. The laboratories provide complementary experience in synthesis and measurement of physical properties for selected inorganic compounds.

Prerequisite: CHEM 220

Contemporary Organic Chemistry

Topics in advanced organic chemistry, including the synthesis, reactions and uses of compounds containing phosphorus, selenium, boron and silicon. Organotransition metal chemistry. Asymmetric synthesis. Heterocyclic chemistry and pericyclic reactions. Laboratories emphasise synthetic and structural methods.

Prerequisite: CHEM 230

Advanced Analytical Chemistry

Principles and applications of modern instrumental analytical chemistry. Statistical methods, quality control and assurance, sampling, instrumentation, chromatographic and other separation methods, spectrophotometric methods, electro-analytical methods.

Prerequisite: CHEM 240

Topics in Chemistry

Topics in modern chemistry. Students will select three of the modules offered, details of which are available in the School of Chemical Sciences Undergraduate Handbook.

Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage II in Chemistry

To complete this course students must enrol in CHEM 350 A and B, or CHEM 350

Environmental Chemistry

Anthropogenic chemicals in the environment and their influence on environmental systems and processes, including the chemistry of waste water, marine pollutants, pesticides, CFC's, geothermal effluents and ozone.

No formal prerequisite, but knowledge of appropriate material at the level covered in CHEM 270 will be assumed.

Materials Chemistry

Synthesis, properties characterisation and applications of advanced materials. Includes a review of current trends in materials research. Important aspects of solid inorganic materials and organic polymers are covered.

Prerequisite: CHEM 210

Medicinal Chemistry

Nature of cellular targets for drug action - lipids, proteins, enzymes, DNA. Principles of molecular recognition. Enzymes and receptors as targets for drug action. DNA as a target for drug action. An overview of approaches to drug discovery and development. Structure-activity relationships, stereochemistry and drug action, prodrugs, drug solubilisation and delivery, drug metabolism and antibiotic resistance. Laboratories focus on the synthesis, computer modelling and biological testing of drugs.

Prerequisite: CHEM 110 and a minimum of 165 points passed

Issues in Drug Design and Development

Intellectual property and patent law in the pharmaceutical industry. An overview of the legal and regulatory framework for drug design and development. Clinical trials: formulation of a drug; phase I, phase II and phase III protocols. An introduction to the principles involved in the Codes of Good Manufacturing Practice and Good Laboratory Practice (quality control and quality assurance procedures) as applied to the manufacture of drug products and the quantification of drugs and metabolites in biological fluids. Examples of drug development. Case studies of selected drugs from design to release.

Prerequisite: Minimum of 165 points passed

Diploma Courses

Graduate Diploma Dissertation (Chemistry)

To complete this course students must enrol in CHEM 690 A and B

PG Diploma Dissertation (Chemistry)

Restriction: CHEM 790

To complete this course students must enrol in CHEM 691 A and B, or CHEM 691

Postgraduate 700 Level Courses

PG Topics in Chemistry 1

A directed reading and individual study course to prepare students in the methodologies in a selected sub-discipline of chemistry.

PG Topics in Chemistry 2

A directed reading and individual study course to prepare students in the methodologies in a selected sub-discipline of chemistry.

Structural and Computational Chemistry

Quantum mechanics, and the calculation of molecular structure at the fundamental level. Statistical thermodynamics: the relationship between molecular structure and bulk properties of matter. The quantum mechanics of magnetic resonance: theory and applications of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in structural chemistry.

No formal prerequisite, but knowledge of physical chemistry at the level covered in CHEM 310 and of basic calculus will be assumed.

Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

The topics covered are chosen from areas of current research in inorganic chemistry, and will include functional supramolecular devices, organometallic and inorganometallic chemistry, and main group element multiple bonding.

No formal prerequisite, but knowledge of inorganic chemistry at the level covered in CHEM 320 will be assumed.

Modern Methods for the Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules

The use of modern methods for the construction of complex molecules with an emphasis on carbon-carbon bond formation and control of stereochemistry. Principles and practice of synthesis design based on retrosynthetic analysis. Each student will present and discuss a recent synthesis of a complex bioactive organic compound.

No formal prerequisite, but knowledge of organic chemistry at the level covered in CHEM 330 will be assumed.

Advanced Medicinal Chemistry

A selection of topics dealing with aspects of medicinal chemistry, including anticancer agents, metals in medicine, antibacterial and antiviral chemotherapy, contemporary topics in medicinal and/or bio-organic chemistry.

Biomolecular Chemistry

Discusses how techniques including NMR spectroscopy, calorimetry, neutron scattering and computational modelling, can characterise the molecular structure, dynamics, and interactions of biological macromolecules. The principles of each technique will be presented and complemented with examples of where these methods have made major advances in understanding important biochemical processes. Accessible to students with a background in chemistry, biology, bioengineering, or physics.

Current Topics in Analytical Chemistry

Principles and applications of modern analytical chemistry. Emphasis will be on the solution of problems met by analytical chemists, including a study of the development of instrumentation, and a study of current trends in analytical research.

No formal prerequisite, but knowledge of analytical chemistry at the level covered in CHEM 340 will be assumed.

Advanced Topics in Chemistry 1

To complete this course students must enrol in CHEM 750 A and B, or CHEM 750

Advanced Topics in Chemistry 2

A modular course comprising topics in physical, inorganic, organic and analytical chemistry related to departmental research interests, which will vary from year to year. Students satisfactorily completing three modules will be awarded CHEM 750. Students satisfactorily completing an additional three modules will be awarded CHEM 751.

To complete this course students must enrol in CHEM 751 A and B, or CHEM 751

Special Topics in Chemistry 1

Advanced Environmental Chemistry

Selected current research topics in environmental chemistry. Topics change from year to year, but may include: chemical impacts of geothermal energy development or mining on the environment, trace metal fingerprinting, naturally occurring metal-adsorbents such as iron oxides, the behaviour of persistent organic contaminants, the chemistry of drinking water treatment and the chemical theory behind the design of environmental monitoring instruments. Includes a half-day field trip.

Advanced Materials Chemistry

A selection of topics on the chemistry of advanced materials, including novel polymeric materials and materials characterisation and analysis.

No formal prerequisite, but knowledge of materials chemistry at the level covered in CHEM 380 will be assumed.

BSc(Hons) Dissertation in Chemistry

To complete this course students must enrol in CHEM 793 A and B, or CHEM 793

Research Methods in Chemistry

A review of the literature and research methods associated with a selected chemistry research topic and an outline of the proposed research and its significance. Students will also be required to present an overview of the proposal in a seminar.

MSc Thesis in Chemistry

To complete this course students must enrol in CHEM 796 A and B

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Source: The University of Auckland 2013 Online Calendar
Last updated on: Thursday 1 November 2012
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