About Chemistry (BSc)
Chemistry is all around us and affects all aspects of our lives, from our own basic bodily responses to the very complex and dynamic compounds of the planet we live on. Chemistry is concerned with all aspects of molecules, their physical and chemical properties, their composition and structure, and their synthesis and use in the 21st century. Within this course you will find an emphasis on chemical analysis and strong links to mineral, biological forensic and environmental sciences. These links provide cross-discipline tertiary education by combining your Chemistry degree with aspects of other scientific fields.
Chemistry underpins many industries from manufacturing to drug discovery, agriculture to criminal investigation. Chemists play leading roles in the fight against disease, discovery and utilisation of natural resources, development of environmentally friendly industrial processes, and creation of new materials for applications in nanotechnology and the space industry. Chemists are integral members of forensic investigation teams and are also widely involved in the agricultural industry in areas such as soil chemistry and crop protection.
The basic science in a Chemistry degree is relevant to a myriad of other disciplines. Combining your chemical knowledge with skills in biology, business, education, genetics, mathematics, or mineral processing means you could pursue a role in almost any industry you like. The skills you learn whilst studying chemistry can take you on to a satisfying career in numerous fields both in and out of the lab; in fact anywhere in the world. It is not surprising to find Chemists in roles in law or accounting firms, NGOs, government policy positions at the local and international level, and even the art world.
What can I do with my Chemistry degree?
The employment situation for graduates with a Chemistry degree is bright, especially for those who combine chemistry with other disciplines. Opportunities for chemists are not limited to Australia and the skills and knowledge learned in a chemistry degree are valued around the world.
Chemists play leading roles in the search for new drugs, from identifying potential targets, to computer-based design of new molecules, manufacturing the drug, and ensuring that the final product is safe for consumers.
In the mining industry you may be involved in identifying and determining the quality of new ore deposits, designing new processes for mineral extraction, making sure that operations have a minimal environmental impact, and ensuring the health of workers.
With increasing levels of scientific and technical knowledge required to understand a complex world, the demand for teachers with strong backgrounds in science and technology is ever increasing, particularly in secondary education. A degree in Chemistry coupled with a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education is an ideal basis for teaching and inspiring future generations.
Creativity, passion, logical thinking, the ability to analyse complex situations, and problem solving are all skills at the top of any employer’s list of desirable attributes and chemists have these abilities in spades - it comes with the territory. That’s why chemists can be found in the forefront of research, teaching, the arts, and business.
Some of your potential employers include:
- Mining and Energy Companies;
- Pharmaceutical and Biotech Firms;
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Hospitals;
- CSIRO;
- Water Corporation;
- Enviromental Consultancies;
Professional Recognition
The Chemistry degree entitles graduates to become members of professional organisations for chemists, including the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI),* Australian Chemical Society (ACS).
*Subject to unit selection.
How to apply
Our entry requirements tool will help you find the most appropriate and quickest pathways to admission. The tool will take you through a couple of steps to help identify the best pathways for you based on your situation. Once you have chosen the most suitable pathway you will also be provided you with information on how to apply based on the criteria you are using for admission.
Domestic student applications:
All undergrad applications for Semester 1 2009 need to be submitted through TISC. If you would like to apply for this course you can now:
- Get your TISC help kit containing your course info, handy hints and advice to help make the application process even easier.
- Get advice on how to structure your TISC preferences to give yourself the best chance of getting into the course of your dreams.
- If you have any questions, please call Prospective Students' and Admissions Centre on 1300 687 3624 or email us at admissions@murdoch.edu.au.
International student applications:
If you would like to apply for this course you can now:
Course Details
|
|
| Length of course |
3 years full-time internal study or part-time equivalent.
Available fully externally.
Please note that international students can only study full-time |
| International fee information |
$19,500 indicative annual fee |
| Location |
South Street Campus |
| Murdoch course code |
B1035 |
| TISC code |
MUMAC |
| TER cut off for 2008 |
73.40
|
| STAT score |
>145 |
| Information on course units |
Link to handbook entry |
Recommended TEE subjects
The following recommended subjects will provide you with a useful background if you are interested in studying in the area of Physical Sciences: Maths, Chemistry or Physics.
We don’t have prerequisite subjects for any of our courses as we are a strong promoter of a well rounded education. However, remember that you will also need to demonstrate competence in English, normally through passing either English or English Literature or by getting a sufficiently high score in ESL.
Course Structure
Year 1
Foundation Unit
All new first year students take a Foundation Unit. These are designed so you have some idea of what’s going on, because, let’s face it, you may never have been to uni before!
Core Units
You must take these units for a particular major to gain a specialisation in this area.
- Chemical Laboratory Techniques
- Principles of Physics
- Applied Mathematics OR
- Calculus and Matrix Algebra
- Chemistry for Principles Students who do not have a strong background in Chemistry will be required to take Introduction to Chemistry as a prerequisite for Chemistry for Physical Sciences.
General Electives
You must take these units to have enough units to graduate. General Electives give you the flexibility to learn from a variety of different areas. Select three units offered by the University, subject to individual unit prerequisites. Recommended - the research project based unit Special Topics in Chemistry.
Suggested Double Majors
To take a double major, students simply take the core units from another major in place of their general elective units. Further details on double majors are available in the Prospectus.
Enhance your Chemistry degree with a double major in:
- Mathematics & Statistics;
- Forensic Biology & Toxicology.
What are my Career Options?
As a Murdoch Chemistry graduate, your employment outlook is bright, especially if you combine it with other disciplines. Depending on which skill combinations or specialisations you have, your Murdoch degree may lead you towards work and study opportunities in a number of areas. The following are some professions to consider, including extra majors and minors that will improve your prospects of achieving them.
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Professions
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What they do |
Suggested double majors |
| Forensic Biologist |
Forensic Biologists investigate crimes by collecting and analysing physical evidence. Often, they specialise in areas such as DNA analysis or firearm examination, performing tests on weapons or on substances such as fibre, glass, hair, tissue, and body fluids to determine their significance to the investigation. Proper collection and storage methods are important to protect the evidence. They also prepare reports to document their findings and the laboratory techniques used, and they may provide information and expert opinion to investigators. When criminal cases come to trial, forensic science technicians often give testimony, as expert witnesses, on specific laboratory findings by identifying and classifying substances, materials, and other evidence collected at the scene of a crime. |
Criminology
Molecular Biology
Forensic Biology and Toxicology Biotechnology
|
| Medical Physicist |
Medical Physicists are members of a multi-disciplinary team who help in the commissioning of new equipment and planning of radiotherapy treatments. |
Physics
Biological Science
Biotechnology
Molecular Biology |
| Nanoscientist |
Basic and applied research comprises the bulk of work for Nanoscientists because immediate applications of nanotechnology are still relatively few. The Australian Research Council Nanotechnology Network (ARCNN) facilitates the development of new technologies resulting from this research. Australia has distinct nanotechnology thrusts in areas of nanoparticles, nano materials and devices, semiconductor electronics and optoelectronics, functional nanomaterials, and polymers/composites. |
Nanonscience
Physics
Biotechnology
Mathematics and Statistics
Biomedical Science
Information Systems Development
Biological Science |
| Marine Biologist |
Marine Biologists study salt water organisms, and limnologists study fresh water organisms. Much of the work of marine biology centres on molecular biology, the study of the biochemical processes that take place inside living cells. |
Marine Science
Biotechnology
Molecular Biology |
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