CHM3180 Materials chemistry
Faculty of Science
CHM3180 Materials chemistry is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2025 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 2 other tasks
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before CHM3180
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After CHM3180
No unit lists CHM3180 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Enrolment rules
PREREQUISITE: Six credit points of level one chemistry and six credit points of level two chemistry. Students without this should consult the third year coordinator.
PROHIBITION: CHM2180
Overview
The unit describes the structure, properties and synthesis of biomaterials, macromolecules, and 'smart' inorganic materials, which are designed to carry out a range of sensing or active functions. Includes: biopolymers and biomineralisation in plants and animals; mimicry of biological systems; properties of everyday materials such as polypropylene and polyurethane and the link between their properties, structure and synthesis; properties of inorganic and metal-organic solids such as conductivity, magnetism, and porosity; theory and use of X-ray crystallography for determining solid-state structures. Principles of controlled radical polymerisation such as RAFT that is widely used in industry to synthesize polymers of certain molecular weights are introduced. In addition, ionic liquids as 'new generation' liquid materials are introduced. The unit also offers an opportunity to learn about a fast emerging field of alternative resources of energy such as solar cells, advanced batteries and fuel cells.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Laboratory-based assessmentDemonstrationThreshold hurdle40%
- Debate AssessmentPresentation10%
- Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)Examination50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Identify the link between polymer structure and physical properties;
- 2
Understand the chemistry of ionic liquids;
- 3
Demonstrate the connection between properties of conducting, magnetic and porous materials and their inorganic structure;
- 4
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the theory of X-ray crystallography;
- 5
Carry out organic and inorganic material synthesis in a laboratory environment;
- 6
Apply characterisation techniques to both organic and inorganic materials;
- 7
Demonstrate skills in the use of modern information technologies and data analysis, and in the written and oral presentation of scientific data.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops36 hours
- Laboratories36 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
Three 1-hour workshops, one hour directed independent study and the equivalent of 3 hours of laboratory activity 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 laboratory exercises and the debate through theoretical concepts and will enable the development of relevant observation and descriptive skills, as well as communication skills
Active learning will occur in workshops and lab sessions.
Learning resources
Required resources
Laboratory safety glasses
Lab coat
Closed toe footwear
Notebook for taking lab notes
Where it fits
CHM3180 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Prof Stuart Batten
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Cameron Bentley
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CHM3180?
CHM3180 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is CHM3180 offered?
In 2025, CHM3180 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does CHM3180 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include CHM3180?
CHM3180 is part of Chemistry.