CHM3911 Advanced physical chemistry
Faculty of Science
CHM3911 Advanced physical chemistry is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2027 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2027
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 3 other tasks
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Requisites
Overview
Physical chemistry provides insight into the fundamental reason that chemical systems and materials behave the way they do. This unit gives you an advanced understanding of the properties and characteristics of solids, liquids and gases from a fundamental level - utilising computation of individual atoms and bonds - right through to applied systems such as colloids and surfactants, relevant to minerals, food and formulation. The unit follows a natural progression from atomic and molecular properties at a single atom or bond level through key thermodynamics to the properties of chemical systems, such as viscosity, phase behaviour and the interactions between solids and liquids. The final section deals with surfaces and colloids - key to understanding important chemical systems in Australian science and industry, due to their ubiquity in minerals processing, food and dairy industries, energy and oil, pharmaceuticals, water and waste processing.
Offerings in 2027
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Lab reportsDemonstrationThreshold hurdle30%
- Mid-semester testQuiz / Test20%
- Problem solving activitiesExercise10%
- Final assessment - Exam (2 hours and 10 minutes)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
Apply fundamental concepts in thermodynamics, kinetics, and intermolecular interactions to complex problems relating to advanced physical chemistry;
- 2
Analyse and rationalise complex chemical systems in laboratory environments relating to advanced physical chemistry;
- 3
Interpret reliability and accuracy of theoretical calculations, and compare theoretical results with experimental data in written reports;
- 4
Assess the reliability of experimental results and suggest improvements;
- 5
Apply skills in reflection, computational chemistry software, group work, professionalism and production of professional lab reports.
Workload and teaching
- Assessments1 hours
- Tutorials1.5 hours
- Laboratories36 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- One 1-hour self-paced online work;
- One 2-hour workshop;
- Three hours or equivalent of laboratory and
- Six hours of independent study per week
Online learning will be used to illustrate and explain concepts and to highlight links between theory and laboratory work.
Active learning will occur in workshops and lab sessions.
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
Where it fits
CHM3911 is part of 1 area of study in the 2027 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Cameron Bentley
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Alison Funston
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CHM3911?
CHM3911 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is CHM3911 offered?
In 2027, CHM3911 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does CHM3911 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include CHM3911?
CHM3911 is part of Chemistry for energy.