Hard materials power modern society and are at the forefront of efforts to transition away from a fossil fuels based economy to more sustainable energy and manufacturing ecosystem. Mobile phones, solar panels, electric vehicles and medical implants all rely on new materials with designer physical properties. This course covers the chemistry of synthesisng and charactering such materials - specifically the discipline of solid state chemistry.
The course is split into three sections covering chemical bonding in the solid state, the electronic structure of crystalline solids and applications of functional materials. The types of materials which will be examined range from those used in: i) electronics (dielectrics, capacitors, ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics); ii) electrocatalysis and photocatalysis; iii) magnetism; and iv) energy capture (photovoltaics) and storage (batteries). An emphasis will be placed on methods used to characterise hard materials and correlating structure (both local and bulk) to chemical and physical properties.
This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Evaluate bonding mechanisms, electronic structure, and crystallographic features of crystalline solids used as conductors, semiconductors and insulators βto understand how atomic-level structure influences material properties.
- Characterise the relationship between crystal structure, defects, and functional properties such as ionic conductivity, dielectric and ferroelectric behaviour
- Apply characterisation techniques in materials chemistry including diffraction, spectroscopy and imaging.
- Articulate applications of materials in renewable energy, catalysis and sensing.
- Demonstrate safe and appropriate handling of chemicals and use of laboratory glassware and equipment during supervised laboratory work.
Other Information
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.
Indicative Assessment
- Mid-semester exam (30) [LO 1,2]
- Assignments/lab reports (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Final exam (30) [LO 3,4]
- 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 ]
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 components 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.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Atkins, P. & de Paula, J., 2022. Physical Chemistry. (any recent edition) Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Atkins, P., Overton, T., Rourke, J., Weller, M. & Armstrong, F., 2010. Inorganic Chemistry. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Assumed Knowledge
Students from other Schools β such as Engineering, Earth Science, or Physics β who have relevant background or interest are welcome to seek permission to enrol through the permission code portal.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $5040 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $7200 |
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.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4567 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | In Person | N/A |