GCH5010 Introduction to green chemistry
Faculty of Science
GCH5010 Introduction to green chemistry is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 4 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 1 task
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before GCH5010
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After GCH5010
4 units list GCH5010 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
PREREQUISITE: Enrolled in the Master of Green Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies or the Graduate Certificate of Green Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies. If you are enrolled in other Masters courses you must have a minimum background of level one university chemistry or equivalent and obtain permission from the unit coordinator.
Overview
GCH5010 presents the fundamentals of green chemistry and connects the science behind sustainability issues with efforts that can be taken to create solutions. Green Chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. While there are many mechanisms and tools available to assess the impact of materials and processes on human health and the environment, there are few tools available to help design and create products as such. This course explores examples from a wide spectrum of industrial sectors including construction, personal care, pharmaceuticals and electronics. Through examples, you are presented with the premise that green chemistry offers organisations a boost to innovation and faster time to market.
In this unit you will address how green and sustainable chemistry can be a central driver in the circular economy and addressing and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The unit overviews the principles of green chemistry, linking these to the UN SDGs.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- In-semester assessmentWritten100%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Demonstrate a broader and deeper understanding of the twelve principles of green chemistry and how to apply them to problem solving;
- 2
Evaluate technologies and products by applying the methods and tools of green chemistry in the practice of chemistry;
- 3
Explain how the application of green chemistry principles can address the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- 4
Identify the tools and strategies to improve the chemical reaction and process using the principles of green chemistry
- 5
Explain how the practice of green chemistry enhances competitiveness, innovation and faster time to market, while addressing critical ethical and sustainability issues.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops36 hours
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester.
Where it fits
GCH5010 is part of 1 area of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Toby Bell
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Khay Fong
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for GCH5010?
GCH5010 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after GCH5010?
GCH5010 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 4 units, including GCH5030, GCH5900, GCH5901 and GCH5902.
When is GCH5010 offered?
In 2025, GCH5010 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is GCH5010?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does GCH5010 have an exam?
No. GCH5010 has 1 assessment task and no exam.
Which majors and minors include GCH5010?
GCH5010 is part of Environmental security.