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Unit of study_

CHEM2991: Molecular Stability and Reactivity (SSP)

2023 unit information

There are over 144 million chemical substances so far identified, a diversity that makes possible the rich fabric of the material and biological worlds. Underpinning this huge diversity are a few fundamental rules of electronic arrangements in atoms and molecules that determine what molecules will be stable and when they will undergo transformation by chemical reaction. This unit will describe these fundamental rules and investigate how electronic rearrangements stabilise molecules by forming covalent bonds. You will investigate the quantum theory of bonding and apply these concepts to establish the rules that govern bond geometries, aromaticity, substitution and elimination reactions. You will investigate the bonding of metal complexes and the relation between magnetism and structure in these compounds. You will learn the fundamentals of electronic and vibrational spectroscopies and how these techniques are used to measure molecular properties. Molecular Stability and Reactivity (SSP) differs from CHEM2921 in that it includes an additional seminar series on three research-led topics in chemistry. By doing this unit you will develop the fundamental understanding of chemical stability and reactivity essential for further work in all chemically related fields and have established a solid foundation for further study in chemistry.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Chemistry Academic Operations

Code CHEM2991
Academic unit Chemistry Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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A mark of 75 or above in (CHEM1111 or CHEM1911 or CHEM1991 or CHEM1011 or CHEM1901 or CHEM1903 or CHEM1011 or CHEM1001) and a mark of 75 or above in (CHEM1112 or CHEM1912 or CHEM1992 or CHEM1012 or CHEM1902 or CHEM1904 or CHEM1002)
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
? 
CHEM2921 or CHEM2521 or CHEM2401 or CHEM2911 or CHEM2915
Assumed knowledge:
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None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand and apply knowledge of bonding and spectroscopy in the context of open-ended and research-led problems.
  • LO2. Work safely and competently in a chemical laboratory.
  • LO3. communicate scientific information and laboratory findings effectively using a range of modes (written, oral, visual etc.) for a variety of audiences.
  • LO4. recognise the relevance of bonding and spectroscopy to applications beyond the discipline of chemistry
  • LO5. evaluate and interpret chemical data to resolve chemical questions and advance chemical inquiry in molecular stability and reactivity in discovery-led and research-led contexts.
  • LO6. work collaboratively and responsibly in data collection, analysis and communication.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

There are no availabilities for this year.
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.