From designed structures to natural products, medicinal agents to functional materials to biological targets, organic substances are everywhere! The purpose of this course is to teach how to analyse structures and devise ways to make them. The lecture material will focus on the most important structures, reactions and mechanisms, topics and themes of contemporary Organic Chemistry and highlight applications of organic compounds in medicine. Synthesis design and strategy, the latest methods, the most up-to-date biologically active compounds and other fascinating molecules will all be covered.
Note: This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Obtain a high level understanding of structure, reactions and mechanism in organic chemistry;
- Analyse the principles of synthesis design;
- Devise chemical syntheses of organic compounds;
- Refine and master the skill set need in a chemical synthesis laboratory demonstrating effective laboratory safety and etiquette especially in the areas of handling of air sensitive reagents, chromatographic techniques and spectroscopic characterisation;
- Demonstrate effective report writing, experimental design and data analysis.
Indicative Assessment
- Written Exams (two short term tests and one longer end of semester exam) (40) [LO 1,2,3]
- In-Class Tests x2
Students may elect to only sit the final exam, which is then worth 60% of their total grade. Alternatively students can elect to take 2 x 10% tests, which would then weight the final at 40%. If the exam result is higher than the two tests, only the higher result will be recorded. (20) [LO 1,2,3] - Laboratory/ Laboratory reports (40) [LO 4,5]
- This course has a hurdle requirement: Chemistry is an experimental discipline requiring the development of hands-on laboratory skills. It is expected that students will attend all laboratory sessions and submit all associated reports. Where there are extenuating circumstances that prevent a student from attending a lab, missed attendance has to be agreed with the course convener and appropriate supporting documentation submitted through the appropriate channels. There is a minimum lab attendance threshold of 80%. 100% of reports must be submitted and must demonstrate a reasonable attempt to satisfy the requirements of the assignment. (0) [LO null]
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 approximately 32 hours of laboratory throughout the semester.
- Approximately 62 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Clayden, J., Greeves, N., Warren, S. & Wothers, P. (2001) Organic Chemistry, Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Assumed Knowledge
Synthetic laboratory-based skills and knowledge of synthetic chemistry at 2nd year undergraduate level.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $4920 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $7020 |
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.