The following syllabus provides a general guide to the topics to be discussed:

Atomic structure and bonding: electronic structure of atoms, quantum numbers, orbitals and energy levels, filling sequence, periodicity of atomic properties, octet ‘rule’, chemical bonds - ionic, covalent - energetics, H-bonds, Lewis structures, shapes of molecules, VSEPR theory, valence bond theory, hybridisation, resonance, molecular orbital theory of simple homonuclear diatomic molecules.

Equilibrium: Haber process as example of the Law of mass action, equilibrium constants, Kc and Kp, Le Chatelier’s principle, reaction quotient, endo- and exo-thermic reactions.

Acids/bases and aqueous equilibria: classical, Lowry-Brønsted, and Lewis definitions, pH of aqueous solutions, strengths of acids and bases - Ka and Kb, titration curves, buffers, extent of hydrolysis - weak acids/bases, solubility products.

Introductory thermodynamics: Energy - different forms, kinetic and potential, heat and work, the First Law of Thermodynamics, conservation of energy, internal energy and enthalpy, Hess’ Law, state functions, standard states, calorimetry.

Electrochemistry: redox reactions, half-cell reactions and balancing equations, oxidation states, Voltaic cells, electrodes, electrode potentials, electromotive force and the free energy of cell reactions, Nernst equation.

Advanced thermodynamics: entropy, Second and Third Laws of Thermodynamics, free energy, equilibrium, spontaneous processes, equilibrium constants - calculations, extent of reaction.

Organic structure, isomerism & reactivity: carbon hybridization, functional groups, nomenclature, 3D chemistry, conformations, isomerism, biological and synthetic polymers – for example, polyamides and polysaccharides.

Laboratory: Exercises illustrating the simpler principles of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. The apparatus used in the course is supplied by the Department. Attendance at laboratory classes is compulsory.

Honours Pathway Option (HPO)

Replacement of 12 tutorials with 12 additional lectures at a more advanced level. The HPO is designed for students with a strong interest in chemistry from school, Science Summer School, Olympiad or equivalent. It is expected that all students in the PhB, or Honours degree programs enrolled in CHEM1101 will complete the HPO.

25% by laboratory work and 75% by exam.

HPO Proposed Assessment: The standard course will count 90% towards the final grade and the Honours Pathway Option 10%.

A maximum of 48 hours of lectures/tutorials and 27 hours of laboratory classes.

A passing grade in Chemistry to the level of a major  in the ACT or NSW HSC Chemistry, or equivalent,  or successful completion of a bridging course in Chemistry is required.   Chemistry is essential for all later- year courses in chemistry, the biological streams of biochemistry and cell biology, microbiology and immunology, molecular genetics, animal and human physiology, botany and some parts of neuroscience. A bridging course is available in February through the Research School of Chemistry.

CHEM1014 and CHEM1016.