UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

CHM2911 Inorganic and organic chemistry

Faculty of Science

CHM2911 Inorganic and organic chemistry is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 4 units.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2026
Semester 1
Clayton, Malaysia
Assessment
Exam 50%
and 3 other tasks

This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before CHM2911

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

Enrolment rules

PREREQUISITE:  CHM1011 or CHM1051 and CHM1022 or CHM1052.  You should contact the second year coordinator if you do not have these prerequisite units.

Overview

Basic principles and key aspects of molecular design, synthesis, structure and reactivity of carbon based molecules, organo-transition metal chemistry and metal complexes with examples taken from important biological, industrial and environmental processes. It will cover aspects of reactive intermediates; carbocations; molecular rearrangements; nucleophilic substitution; elimination reactions; free radicals; aromatic and heterocyclic chemistry; pericyclic reactions; carbonyl compounds; key principles of coordination chemistry including geometry, properties, bonding and stability in transition metal complexes; metal coordination environments in nature; principles of organometallic chemistry and catalysis.

Offerings in 2026

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonOn campus
First semesterMalaysiaOn campus

Assessment

  • Lab workDemonstrationThreshold hurdle
    30%
  • Online assessments (OLA)Quiz / Test
    10%
  • Tutorial testsQuiz / Test
    10%
  • Final assessment - Exam (2 hours and 10 minutes)Examination
    50%

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. 1

    Appreciate the tools used by chemists to design, prepare and study novel carbon based molecules and metal complexes;

  2. 2

    Apply the general principles of transition metal chemistry to industrial and environmental processes;

  3. 3

    Formulate the syntheses of a number of compounds using organic or inorganic chemistry processes;

  4. 4

    Appreciate and utilise a number of organic and inorganic reactions, including processes involving metal ions;

  5. 5

    Use common synthetic procedures and modern analytical and spectroscopic methods for the synthesis and analysis of chemical compounds;

  6. 6

    Demonstrate safe laboratory practices and apply OHSE principles;

  7. 7

    Communicate their chemistry in oral and written form and analyse how the material taught links to the social and environmental responsibility of chemists in the global community.

Workload and teaching

  • Laboratories36 hours
  • Workshops24 hours
  • Tutorials12 hours
  • Teaching approachOnline learning
  • Teaching approachProblem-based learning
  • Two 1-hour workshops;
  • One hour directed independent study;
  • One 1-hour tutorial and 
  • the equivalent of 3 hours laboratory per week.

Online learning will be used to illustrate and explain concepts and to highlight links between theory and laboratory work.

Problem-based learning will be explored in the workshop and laboratory exercises through theoretical concepts and will enable the development of relevant observation and descriptive skills, as well as communication skills.

Learning resources

Required resources

Laboratory safety glasses
Lab coat
Closed toe footwear
Notebook for taking lab notes

Recommended resources

Clayden, Greeves, and Warren, "Organic Chemistry" (2nd edition) OR Clayden, Greeves, Warren and Wothers, "Organic Chemistry" (1st edition)

Inorganic Chemistry” 2nd edition by C. E. Housecroft and A. G. Sharpe published by Pearson/Prentice Hall.

Where it fits

CHM2911 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.

Contacts

Chief Examiners
Dr Drasko Vidovic
Unit Coordinators
Professor Cameron Jones
Dr Ang Chee Wei

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for CHM2911?

CHM2911 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

What can I take after CHM2911?

CHM2911 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 4 units, including CHM2990, CHM3922, CHM3930 and CHM3941.

When is CHM2911 offered?

In 2026, CHM2911 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia.

Does CHM2911 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.

Which majors and minors include CHM2911?

CHM2911 is part of Chemistry and Medicinal chemistry.

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
Available