GCH5120 Green chemical synthesis and applications
Faculty of Science
GCH5120 Green chemical synthesis and applications is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 2 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before GCH5120
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After GCH5120
No unit lists GCH5120 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
COREQUISITE: Enrolment in the Master of Green and Sustainable Technologies or the Graduate Certificate of Green Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies
PREREQUIISITE: Must have completed 24 credit points from Part B of the Master of Green and Sustainable Technologies or equivalent, or permission of the unit coordinator.
Overview
This unit will provide you with the knowledge, tools and skills to understand synthetic methods that adhere to Green Chemistry principles. Case studies will look at applications of selected chemicals and polymers, with consideration of life cycle and circular economy factors. Topics covered include will include metrics for green synthesis; solvent selection and solvent free reactions; catalysis (including heterogeneous, homogenous and bio catalysis); energy options for driving chemical reactions (microwave, mechanochemistry, ultrasound, electrochemical); chemical transformations from renewable primary feedstock chemicals and feedstock options; green polymer synthesis including biopolymers; continuous flow systems for chemical synthesis; case studies from academia and industry demonstrating innovation in the chemical industry.
During your studies you will apply your learning to a series of experiential activities that address and demonstrate novel applications of green synthesis in industry. The activities include problem solving, discussion of case studies and scenarios from the research literature and industry.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Continuous assessment by workshop activities, oral presentations, quizzes and assignmentsQuiz / Test70%
- Summative assessmentProject30%
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
Demonstrate critical understanding of organic and inorganic synthesis applying green chemistry principles for small molecule, organic/inorganic and polymer synthesis;
- 2
Design green chemical synthetic pathways, including reaction conditions, process options, product/co-product formation and mechanisms, to achieve more efficient manufacturing of chemicals and polymers;
- 3
Critique the various options and potential of biomass derived chemical feedstocks for the synthesis of fine chemicals, polymers and commodity chemicals;
- 4
Apply green chemistry metrics, life cycle assessment and supply chain considerations in assessing the greenness of chemical reactions and how these can apply to chemical manufacturing processes;
- 5
Describe how catalysts can be used heterogeneously and homogeneously, biological and asymmetric catalysts and the importance of catalysis in green chemical synthesis and industrial production.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials12 hours
- Seminars24 hours
- Assessments4 hours
- Workshops12 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit will have a minimum of three hours of scheduled activities per week, which include a two-hour lecture with discussion and a one-hour workshop, to be offered face-to-face and/or with hybrid learning options. Formal contact will involve combination of teacher-directed learning, problem solving, case study evaluations, supplemented with further directed reading, videos, problem solving, group work and associated peer-directed learning and on-line engagement.
All concepts will be reinforced through problem solving and scenario evaluation.
A Group Summative Assessment Task is included – focused on an industry case study.
You will be challenged to evaluate novel green and sustainable synthetic approaches to chemical substances, investigating the research literature, evaluating the information and communicate findings.
Educational content, exercises and interactive lessons will be provided in the online-learning environment. These will include quizzes, videos, lectures, Case studies to evaluate.
During workshops and lectures you will be presented with active learning activities. Unit content knowledge will be applied to scenarios and problems.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
References to relevant materials in the scientific literature, videos and Moodle lessons to introduce concepts and develop skills.
Technology resources
Communication software
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Tomohiro Yasukawa
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Khay Fong
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for GCH5120?
GCH5120 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is GCH5120 offered?
In 2026, GCH5120 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is GCH5120?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does GCH5120 have an exam?
No. GCH5120 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.