Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Science (Professional), majoring in Chemistry, combines chemistry theory, laboratory practice, scientific data analysis, research skills and professional industry experience. Swinburne highlights applications of chemistry across forensic and environmental science, polymer formation, water analysis, new materials, agricultural chemistry and analytical chemistry. Chemistry is presented as relevant to scientific, medical and industrial settings.

Key benefits include:

• Practical laboratory-based chemistry learning.
• Training in conducting laboratory experiments.
• Safe handling of chemicals and hazardous substances.
• Critical scientific data analysis.
• Research and information-gathering skills.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Technical report writing.
• Three industry-linked projects through Work Integrated Learning.
• A 12-month paid professional work-placement opportunity.
• Industry experience that can contribute academic credit towards the degree.
• Exposure to chemistry applications in forensic, environmental, pharmaceutical, agricultural and analytical settings.
• Professional accreditation through the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Professional degree requires 375 credit points and comprises core science study, eight Chemistry major units, electives and a 100-credit-point professional placement. Swinburne describes the published sequence as indicative; sequencing may change depending on unit availability, advanced standing and exemptions.

Year 1 – 100 credit points:

Semester 1:

• Concepts of Biology – BIO10001 – 12.5 credit points.
• Choose one:
  • Preliminary Mathematics – MTH00007 – 12.5 credit points; or
  • Calculus and Applications – MTH10012 – 12.5 credit points.
• Choose one:
  • Chemistry 1 – CHE10001 – 12.5 credit points; or
  • Introduction to Chemistry – CHE10004 – 12.5 credit points.
• Choose one:
  • Energy and Motion – PHY10001 – 12.5 credit points; or
  • Introduction to Physics – PHY10002 – 12.5 credit points.

Semester 2:

• Sustainability Challenges in Science – NPS10003 – 12.5 credit points.
• Chemistry 2 – CHE10002 – 12.5 credit points.
• One elective.

Year 2 – 100 credit points:

Semester 1:

• Analytical and Forensic Chemistry – CHE20006 – 12.5 credit points.
• Spectroscopy and Instrumentation – CHE20009 – 12.5 credit points.
• Two electives.

Semester 2:

• Societal Challenges in Science – NPS20011 – 12.5 credit points.
• Investigative Organic Chemistry – CHE20008 – 12.5 credit points.
• Inorganic Chemistry – CHE30010 – 12.5 credit points.
• One elective.

Professional work placement – 100 credit points:

• Work Experience in Industry A – WEI20001 – 25 credit points.
• Integrated Professional Placement A – Science – NPS20003 – 25 credit points.
• Work Experience in Industry B – WEI20002 – 25 credit points.
• Integrated Professional Placement B – Science – NPS20004 – 25 credit points.

The professional placement is a 12-month paid work-placement opportunity.

Year 4 – 75 credit points:

Semester 1:

• Advanced Analytical Chemistry – CHE30005 – 12.5 credit points.
• Surface and Colloid Chemistry – CHE30009 – 12.5 credit points.
• One elective.

Semester 2:

• Computational Chemistry: Methods and Applications – CHE30006 – 12.5 credit points.
• Three electives.

Core areas covered include:

• General chemistry.
• Analytical chemistry.
• Forensic chemistry.
• Spectroscopy.
• Instrumentation.
• Organic chemistry.
• Inorganic chemistry.
• Advanced analytical chemistry.
• Surface and colloid chemistry.
• Computational chemistry.
• Scientific data analysis.
• Laboratory practice.
• Chemical safety.
• Scientific research.

Disciplines/Specialisations

Selected major: Chemistry.

The Chemistry major covers applications including:

• Analytical chemistry.
• Forensic chemistry.
• Environmental chemistry.
• Agricultural chemistry.
• Polymer-related applications.
• Water analysis.
• New-material development.
• Pharmaceutical and industrial chemistry.
• Spectroscopy and instrumentation.
• Organic and inorganic chemistry.
• Computational chemistry.

The wider Bachelor of Science (Professional) currently offers eight majors:

• Applied Mathematics.
• Astronomy and Astrophysics.
• Biochemistry.
• Biotechnology.
• Chemistry.
• Environmental Science.
• Physics.
• Space Technology.

Programme Highlights

• Bachelor of Science (Professional).
• Chemistry major.
• Course code: BA-SC2PROF.
• CRICOS: 095882G.
• Hawthorn campus.
• 4 years full-time.
• 375 credit points.
• 8 core units.
• 8 Chemistry major units.
• 6 elective units.
• 4 work-placement units.
• 12-month paid professional work-placement opportunity.
• Three industry-linked projects.
• Practical laboratory training.
• Chemical safety training.
• Analytical and forensic chemistry.
• Spectroscopy and instrumentation.
• Computational chemistry.
• Professional accreditation through the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne specifically lists the following career opportunities:

• Chemical researcher.
• Agricultural or environmental scientist.
• Pharmaceutical scientist.
• Analytical forensic scientist.

The chemistry curriculum can also provide a foundation for work or further study involving:

• Analytical laboratories.
• Environmental testing.
• Pharmaceutical research.
• Forensic analysis.
• Chemical research.
• Materials-related industries.
• Agricultural science.
• Water and environmental analysis.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this programme in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

CRICOS course code: 095882G.

Key requirements can include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Genuine Student requirement.
• Evidence of financial capacity where required.
• English-language evidence where required.
• Applicable health requirements.
• Applicable character requirements.
• Compliance with Student visa conditions.