Molecular materials — designed assemblies of molecules with tailored electronic, optical, magnetic and mechanical properties — underpin technologies from clean energy and electronics to sensors and pharmaceuticals. Understanding how molecular structure controls bulk behavior enables chemists to create sustainable materials, improve device performance, and address societal challenges such as energy storage, environmental remediation, and targeted drug delivery.

This course provides foundational principles and hands-on experience in synthesis, characterization, and structure–property relationships to prepare undergraduates for research and careers in materials innovation. Students will explore the design and synthesis of molecules for gas capture and storage, the use of molecules in materials and device fabrication via additive manufacturing (e.g. 3D printing), and the development of molecular systems for next-generation optical and magnetic materials.

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:

1. Rationalise the behaviour and applications of various porous materials;
2. Analyse the differences between physical properties of polymers and their molecular origins;
3. Critically compare different 3D printing methodologies and select optimal conditions for a given task;
4. Characterise different types of magnetic properties and their origins;
5. Design molecular architectures to support binary magnetic information storage or quantum coherent spin control;
6. Refine and master specialised skills in advanced experimental and theoretical techniques.

Research-Led Teaching

Chemistry is essentially an experimental science. The laboratory program consists of a variety of experimental exercises designed to:

Illustrate and develop competence in a range of chemical techniques and manipulative skills.

emphasise (particularly in first term) the importance of a quantitative analytical approach to chemical systems.

develop an awareness of the scope and limitation of experimental observation and accuracy.

illustrate chemical topics, principles and concepts.

Examination Material or equipment

TBA

Recommended Resources

Course Website – online resources

Login using your student ID and password at http://canvas.anu.edu.au to find the course website for CHEM3123. You will be automatically added to this website the evening after you have enrolled in the courses via ANUHub. If you cannot see the online site/s, please contact student@anu.edu.au. Course websites may contain lecture material, extra resources, self-test questions and discussion board postings. Please check these sites at least once a week for important notices.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction

two-way video conferencing for interactive learning

email and other messaging tools for communication

interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities

print and photo/scan for handwritten work

home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.

Webcam

Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)

Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.

Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.

Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• laboratory reports
• worksheets
• oral presentation performance

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Summary of penalties for exceeding word limits. Some assessed items in this class may have a maximum word limit. If submissions exceed these maximum lengths then the following penalties will apply: (a) 5% penalty if word limit exceeded by up to 5%; (b) 10% penalty if word limit exceeded by between 5% and 10%; (c) 10% penalty if word limit exceeded by >10%, and material beyond the 10% word limit will not be marked. 

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	3 lectures - Connal
2	3 lectures - Connal
3	3 lectures - ConnalLab session 1
4	2 lectures and 1 tutorial – Doan/PrestonLab session 2
5	2 lectures and 1 tutorial – Doan/PrestonLab session 3
6	1 lecture – Doan/PrestonLab session 4
7	3 lectures - Chilton	Mid-semester exam
8	2 lectures and 1 tutorial - Chilton
9	3 lectures - ChiltonLab session 5
10	2 lectures and 1 tutorial - ChiltonLab session 6
11	3 lectures - Chilton	Synoptic lab report and 3D print
12	2 lectures - Chilton	Oral defence

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
1. Mid Semester exam	30 %	1,3,6
2. Synoptic Lab Report	23 %	2,3,4,5,6
3. Oral Defence	12 %	2,3,4,5,6
4. 3D print	5 %	1,6
5. Final Exam	30 %	3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

The Research School of Chemistry considers the laboratory component of all courses to be an integral part of each course and as such all laboratory sessions are compulsory. It is therefore the policy of the Research School of Chemistry that students will attend all laboratory classes scheduled for any course. Absences must be notified (in advance, if possible) to the course convenor, and accompanied by adequate and appropriate documentation justifying the absence.

Examination(s)

1 x mid-semester exam

1 x end of semester exam

Students should consult the course Canvas site and the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

1. Mid Semester exam

2 hour exam will be given in week 7. This exam will assess material covered in the lectures presented by Prof. Connal, Dr Preston and Dr Doan.

Please check the course Canvas site and the ANU Examination Timetable to confirm the date, time and location of the end of semester exam.

CHEM6123 students will have extra questions to answer in addition to the CHEM3123 examination.

Assessment Task 2

2. Synoptic Lab Report

Attendance at laboratory sessions 1 to 5 is compulsory. The submission of this laboratory report is compulsory, and is due in week 11.

A pass in the prescribed laboratory work is required in order to gain a pass in Molecular Materials.

Laboratory reports are submitted via the course Canvas site. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your report. Please keep a hard copy of the laboratory report for your records.

CHEM6123 students will be expected to complete the lab report to a higher standard with more discussion than the CHEM3123 students.

Assessment Task 3

3. Oral Defence

In week 12 Dr Preston and Prof. Chilton will hold individual oral defences with each student regarding their laboratory report.

Please check the course Canvas site to confirm the date, time and location of the oral defence.

CHEM6123 students will be expected to engage in a deeper discussion, thereby demonstrating elements of critical thinking, beyond the CHEM3123 students.

Assessment Task 4

4. 3D print

In week 11, alongside your synoptic lab report, you will be required to submit a 3D print of your material based on your experimental work.

Please check Canvas for further details.

Assessment Task 5

5. Final Exam

2 hour final exam, held in the November examination period, date TBA.

The final exam will assess lecture material from Prof. Chilton.

Please check the ANU Final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/programadministration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location exam.

CHEM6123 students will have extra questions to answer in addition to the CHEM3123 examination.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Marked laboratory reports will be available via Canvas two weeks after submission.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

If the standard of a lab report is deemed unsatisfactory by the course convenor (on advice from the laboratory demonstrator), you may be asked to resubmit the report.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students