Future Students

Chemistry

Chemistry is about understanding the properties of the element — how they interact with each other to construct living organisms to produce power from the sun, produce minerals and fuel environmental processes.

Life has evolved systems that depend on carbon as a fundamental element, and several other elements are particularly important in biological systems. A true understanding of such systems must be based upon a full knowledge of the structures, properties and reactivity of the molecular components of life and this knowledge comes from the study of chemistry.

Chemistry plays a pivotal role in the natural sciences. It supplies essential knowledge for the applied sciences, such as astronomy, materials science, engineering, agriculture, medical sciences, pharmacology, and forensic science.

Level 1

Generally you will follow the physical sciences foundation package in Level 1, involving choices of units from physics, chemistry, earth science, mathematics and statistics. Alternatively you may include biological sciences.

Levels 2 and 3

At Level 2 you acquire practical and analytical techniques which lay the path for your choice of options at level 3, where you will complete one of the following majors:

• Chemistry
• Chemical Physics
• Environmental Chemistry
• Green Chemistry.

Your Level 3 units may include Chemistry in the Workplace plus three of the following:

• Organometallic and Polymer Chemistry
• Structure Determination in Chemistry
• Modern Materials Chemistry
• Analytical and Physical Chemistry
• Biological Chemistry
• Modern Organic Synthesis
• Metals in Biological Chemistry
• Industrial Chemistry
• Environmental Chemistry
• Green Chemistry

Career opportunities

Chemists are employed in analytical chemistry related to the mining and food industries, forensic science and environmental impact studies. They carry out research in government laboratories, as well as in the private sector in mining, petrochemical, and high technology industries.

Recent employers of UWA graduates include Alcoa Australia Ltd, BHP Petroleum, Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd, Rio Tinto Ltd, Shell Australia Ltd, Worsley Alumina Ltd, Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and the Water Corporation.