CHM2722 Systems approaches in sustainable chemistry

This unit examines chemistry’s importance in sustainability and society and equips you with core skills to effectively practise as a chemist in a range of real-world career contexts.

The unit shifts focus from molecular design and lab-based techniques to the exploration of challenges such as emerging pollutants, life cycle analysis, circular chemistry, and more. You will learn systems thinking techniques to map the complex systems in which chemistry is embedded. You will then build an understanding of governance and key actors who guide chemistry practice across industries and gain the skills to represent chemistry expertise constructively with other professions, stakeholders and perspectives.

These frameworks and tools will be applied to current, real-world problems, building evidence of your ability to negotiate, debate, and devise practical courses of action that balance sustainability and practical uptake. You will gain the ability to translate your chemistry knowledge into system maps, circular and sustainable strategies, and pair scientific expertise with collaborative skills required for industry and research impact.