Overview
This unit integrates key concepts from physical and inorganic chemistry to build your understanding of structure, bonding and reactivity in chemical systems. You will study the foundations of thermodynamics, kinetics and electrochemistry, and apply these principles to systems ranging from simple molecules to complex mixtures and materials. Topics include atomic structure and periodicity, bonding theories, molecular shape, solid-state structures, coordination chemistry, and the chemistry of transition metals. You will also examine state functions, enthalpy, phase behaviour, solutions, and interfacial processes that drive solute transport and reaction mechanisms. Electrochemical processes, from fuel cells to batteries, are explored alongside the roles of metal complexes in catalysis and other applications. Laboratory investigations support your theoretical learning and develop your ability to analyse, interpret and report experimental data. By linking physical and inorganic perspectives, this unit prepares you to evaluate chemical problems in environmental, industrial and biological contexts. It provides the foundation for advanced topics such as spectroscopy, nanotechnology and materials development.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: CHEM11043 Atoms, Molecules and MatterandCHEM11044 Chemical Reactions
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2027
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Academic Progression Policy and Procedure
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit feedback
Students recommended improving the video resources for the unit.
Content and assessment review and refresh should continue in the next offering.
Feedback from Unit feedback
Some students noted difficulty connecting the unit content to their course of study and found the assessment questions ambiguous.
Content and assessment review and refresh should begin in the next offering.
Feedback from Staff reflection
The high proportion of high grades in this unit suggest that assessment and assessment rubrics should be reviewed.
Review and update as required assessment and assessment rubrics.