• Offered by Research School of Chemistry
  • ANU College ANU Joint Colleges of Science
  • Course subject Chemistry
  • Areas of interest Chemistry
  • Academic career PGRD
  • Course convener
    • Prof Mark Humphrey
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Co-taught Course
  • Offered in Second Semester 2022
    See Future Offerings

In Sem 2 2022, this course is on campus with remote adjustments only for participants with unavoidable travel restrictions/visa delays.

Over the last 20-30 years the face of chemical synthesis has changed quite dramatically to a realm where many key reactions intimately rely on the presence of a catalyst. Key advances continue to be made in this area particularly with regards to the use of chiral catalysts in the synthesis of enantiomerically pure compounds. This course will focus on the use of catalysts in small molecule synthesis. Approaches may include organo-based, transition metal and main group catalysis, and the role of chiral catalysts in asymmetric synthesis. The laboratory component of the course will aim to further develop skills in chemical synthesis,particularly with regard to the use of catalysts.


This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. Demonstrate advanced specialist knowledge of the principles and practice of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis in chemistry.
  2. Work to an expert professional level in a chemical synthesis laboratory, demonstrating effective laboratory safety and etiquette, especially in handling air-sensitive reagents, chromatographic techniques, and spectroscopic characterization.
  3. Demonstrate high level report writing, experimental design and data analysis.
  4. Critically analyse the chemistry associated with the use of catalysts used in small molecule synthesis.

Indicative Assessment

  1. Lab Reports (attendance at all laboratory sessions and the submission of all reports is required in order to pass the course). (55) [LO 2,3]
  2. Mid-semester exam (20) [LO 1,3,4]
  3. Final written exam (25) [LO 1,3,4]

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/tutorials plus 1 x 4 hour laboratory per week.
  • Approximately 46 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, workshops and other assessment tasks.

Inherent Requirements

To be determined.

Requisite and Incompatibility

To enrol in this course you must be active in the Master of Science in Material Science or the Master of Science (Advanced) in Materials Science. Incompatible with CHEM3206.

Prescribed Texts

Weller, Overton, Rourke, Armstrong, Inorganic Chemistry, 7th ed.

Claydon, Greeves, Warren, Organic Chemistry, 2nd ed.

Assumed Knowledge

24 units of university advanced level chemistry.

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
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2022 $4200
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2022 $6000
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

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.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
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
7143 25 Jul 2022 01 Aug 2022 31 Aug 2022 28 Oct 2022 In Person View

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions