In Sem 2 2022, this course is on campus with remote adjustments only for participants with unavoidable travel restrictions/visa delays.
This course is divided into two parts, the first is designed to develop an understanding of the structure and functionality of solid state materials. Topics to be covered include solid state, sol-gel and thin film synthesis, crystal chemistry, crystallography, ceramic processing and the relation between structure and function. The second is designed to develop an understanding of the structure, synthesis and properties of soft materials (i.e. polymers), and will include an overview of the different families of polymers, their structures, physical properties and uses. Also covered will be the various methods of polymer synthesis with an emphasis on how the synthetic methods used affect the resulting physical and chemical polymer properties, and the different methods of polymer characterisation and an examination of the associated physical properties they measure. The properties of some technologically important functional materials will be highlighted throughout this course.
This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Analyse critically, rationalise and explain chemical bonding in the solid state and how structure affects the properties of materials.
- Understand at an advanced and integrative level crystallographic and crystal chemical concepts such as unit cells, Bravais lattices, fractional coordinates, Miller indices, close packing, phase diagrams, etc,. and how to apply them in rationalising simple inorganic crystal structure types.
- Analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise complex information and concepts such as real and reciprocal space, and explain how structure factor calculations and diffraction techniques can be used to determine atomic arrangements in crystals.
- Research and apply complex knowledge to synthesise crystalline materials via solid state reaction, and understand the reaction dynamics of sol-gel and hydrothermal reaction processes and the use of such procedures to synthesise functional nanomaterials and thin films.
- Expertly explain and rationalise the physical properties of a range of functional materials including conductors, semi-conductors, insulators, dielectric, ferroelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and electro-optic materials and others.
- Research, analyse and transmit knowledge, verbally and in writing, of the main families and subfamilies of polymers, their uses, structures and synthesis.
- Communicate, verbally and in writing, how various complex synthetic methods and their reaction kinetics can dramatically alter the chemical and physical properties of polymers, and predict simple properties like polymer molecular weight distributions based on specialised knowledge of the reaction conditions.
- Expertly explain and analytically rationalise the main physical properties of soft materials in terms of their dependence on polymer composition, molecular weight and microstructure.
- Research, analyse and synthesise complex information and concepts in order to explain the principles of some key techniques used to characterise polymers.
Indicative Assessment
- Mid-semester exam (37) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Assignments/lab reports (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]
- Final exam (38) [LO 6,7,8,9]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 3 x 1 hour lectures per week plus 27 hours of laboratory throughout the semester.
- Approximately 67 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
George Odian, Principles of Polymerization, 4th Edition, Wiley, 2004; Bradley D. Fahlman, Materials Chemistry, 2nd Edition, Springer, 2011.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $4200 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7146 | 25 Jul 2022 | 01 Aug 2022 | 31 Aug 2022 | 28 Oct 2022 | In Person | View |
