Modern society is reliant on manufactured chemicals to meet our everyday needs in food production, medicines, clothing and technological applications. Traditional approaches to building molecules have largely ignored the detrimental environmental impacts of the manufacturing processes, but this has changed. In this unit you will study contemporary methods used to create life-changing molecules, from pharmaceuticals and bulk chemicals to polymers in the context of the environmental impact of chemical manufacture and the challenges of ensuring both sustainability of source materials and sustainability of waste treatment. You will gain an understanding of the principles and practices of chemical manufacture, the application of catalytic processes, and the methods used to tailor molecular properties, including the spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques of chemical analysis. In this unit you will address the general issues of renewable and non-renewable resources and waste recycling. By doing this unit you will develop an integrated understanding of the challenges of sustainable chemical manufacture and the fundamental basis for continued study in the topics of organic synthesis, environmental chemistry, polymer science and industrial processes. Concepts in Sustainable Chemical Manufacture covers the same lecture material as CHEM2522/2922 but does not involve laboratory classes. Instead, students will undertake a series of workshop exercises aimed at exploring the broader impact of chemical innovation on technology and society. This unit does not represent a prerequisite for any of the 3000-level lab-based Chemistry units.
Unit details and rules
Academic unit | Chemistry Academic Operations |
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Credit points | 6 |
Prerequisites
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CHEM1111 or CHEM1911 or CHEM1991 or CHEM1101 or CHEM1901 or CHEM1903 or CHEM1011 or CHEM1001 |
Corequisites
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None |
Prohibitions
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CHEM2522 or CHEM2922 or CHEM2404 or CHEM2912 or CHEM2533 or CHEM2534 |
Assumed knowledge
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None |
Available to study abroad and exchange students | Yes |
Teaching staff
Coordinator | Cameron Kepert, cameron.kepert@sydney.edu.au |
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Lecturer(s) | Markus Muellner, markus.muellner@sydney.edu.au |
Stephen George-Williams, stephen.george-williams@sydney.edu.au |