CHM3972 Sustainable chemistry
Faculty of Science
CHM3972 Sustainable chemistry is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 2 other tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before CHM3972
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After CHM3972
No unit lists CHM3972 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
PREREQUISITE: Six credit points of level one chemistry and six credit points of level two chemistry. If you do not have this you should consult the level three coordinator.
Overview
The development of chemical tools that allow realisation of the concept of a sustainable future - meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs - is the basis for the course of sustainable chemistry. This will be dealt with in three interconnected streams: Introduction to green chemistry, Sustainable technologies and Green energy technologies.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Continuous laboratory-based assessmentDemonstrationThreshold hurdle35%
- Continuous in-semester assessmentQuiz / Test15%
- Examination (2 hours 10 minutes)Examination50%
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
Explore the social and environmental responsibility of chemists in the global community and debate their significance;
- 2
Know the principles of green chemistry and green metrics such as atom economy and e-factors to recognise green chemistry criteria in the practice of chemistry;
- 3
Identify reagents, reaction mechanisms and technologies that should be and realistically could be targeted for replacement by green alternatives;
- 4
Research examples of successful and recent sustainable chemistry technologies which enable environmental benefits through process changes and product substitution;
- 5
Explore chemical processes involved in new technologies for the transport, storage and conversion of energy;
- 6
Apply technical skills for synthesising chemicals, interpreting chemical data, and collecting unique data using a range of sophisticated apparatus and technologies;
- 7
Communicate the principles of sustainable chemistry to a broad audience.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories36 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- One 2-hour workshop for 12 weeks 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.
Active learning will occur in workshops and lab sessions.
Problem-based learning will be explored in the 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
CHM3972 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Cameron Bentley
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Tanja Junkers
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CHM3972?
CHM3972 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is CHM3972 offered?
In 2026, CHM3972 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does CHM3972 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include CHM3972?
CHM3972 is part of Chemistry.