CHM2881 Green chemistry, health and society
Faculty of Science
CHM2881 Green chemistry, health and society is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2027 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It needs CHM1011; or (CHM1051 and (CHM1022 or CHM1052)).
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2027
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
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Requisites
Before CHM2881
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After CHM2881
No unit lists CHM2881 as a prerequisite in the 2027 handbook.
Overview
This unit introduces the foundational principles of green chemistry and chemical toxicology within a mainstream chemistry curriculum. You will examine molecular structure, physicochemical properties, chemical reactivity and exposure influence environmental fate, toxicity, resource efficiency, sustainability performance and human health.
Core topics include the twelve principles of green chemistry, hazard and risk, dose–response relationships, acute and chronic toxicity, routes of exposure, metabolism, persistence, bioaccumulation, life-cycle thinking and regulatory frameworks. Mechanisms of toxic action, including enzyme inhibition, oxidative stress, membrane disruption and interactions with biomolecules, will be explored through structure–activity relationships.
Applied case studies will connect these principles to real-world health, sustainability and societal challenges, including food and dietary contaminants, airborne and volatile chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, materials and consumer products. Through lectures, workshops, laboratory activities and case-based learning, you will develop skills in interpreting toxicological data, evaluating chemical and spectroscopic information, applying green chemistry metrics, and assessing chemical risks and trade-offs in biological and environmental systems.
Offerings in 2027
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Teaching labDemonstrationCompetency hurdle40%
- In-semester assessmentExercise20%
- Final assessment - Examination (2 hours)Examination40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Explain core principles of green chemistry and chemical toxicology, including hazard, risk, dose–response relationships, acute and chronic toxicity, and sustainability frameworks;
- 2
Describe how molecular structure, physicochemical properties and chemical reactivity influence toxicity, environmental fate, persistence, bioaccumulation and biological response;
- 3
Explain key mechanisms of toxic action, including enzyme inhibition, oxidative stress, membrane disruption, metabolic activation and interactions with biomolecules;
- 4
Interpret and evaluate toxicological, chemical and spectroscopic data to assess chemical hazards, exposure pathways and potential risks to human health and the environment;
- 5
Foster the acquisition of practical skills through an inquiry-based approach to the chemistry laboratory experience, and build independent competency, teamwork and communication skills;
- 6
Critically analyse real-world case studies involving pharmaceuticals, food and dietary contaminants, airborne and volatile chemicals, agrochemicals, materials and consumer products, and communicate evidence-based assessments of chemical risk, benefit and sustainability trade-offs.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials12 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Laboratories36 hours
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
Average 12 hours per week (144 hours per semester):
2 hours workshops;
1 hour tutorial;
3 hours laboratory and
6 hours of independent study per week.
The unit will combine interactive lectures with applied tutorials focused on case-based learning. Real-world examples from pharmaceuticals, materials, agrochemicals, and consumer products will be used to illustrate the interface between chemistry, sustainability, and toxicology. Active learning exercises will support quantitative toxicology literacy and systems thinking.
The unit will combine interactive lectures with applied tutorials focused on case-based learning. Real-world examples from pharmaceuticals, materials, agrochemicals, and consumer products will be used to illustrate the interface between chemistry, sustainability, and toxicology. Active learning exercises will support quantitative toxicology literacy and systems thinking.
Problem-based learning will be explored in the laboratory exercises and through theoretical concepts and will enable the development of relevant observation and descriptive skills, as well as communication skills.
Learning resources
Required resources
You will require access to standard Monash library services and databases, software applications and tools.
Anastas, P.; Warner, J. Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice (selected chapters).
First Do No Harm A Chemist's Guide to Molecular Design for Reduced Hazard. Petrovic, Predrag V.; Anastas, Paul T.; EBSCO Industries 2023.
Recommended resources
Manahan, S. Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry (selected sections).
Technology resources
Access to chemical safety databases (e.g., PubChem, ECHA resources).
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Drasko Vidovic
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Kellie Tuck
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CHM2881?
You need CHM1011; or (CHM1051 and (CHM1022 or CHM1052)) before you enrol.
When is CHM2881 offered?
In 2027, CHM2881 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is CHM2881?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does CHM2881 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
More details
- Credit points
- 6
- Level
- 2
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- Organisational unit
- School of Chemistry
- Type
- Coursework
- EFTSL
- 0.125
- Student contribution
- SCA Band 2
- Study abroad
- Not available
- Handbook years
- 2027