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Unit of study_
CHEM3122: Molecular Self Assembly
2025 unit information
This unit of study looks beyond covalent bonds to explore intermolecular forces and how they can be used to create supramolecular structures. Such structures are widespread in biology and technology, combining components such as polymers with diverse architectures, lipid and synthetic membranes, molecular and nanoparticle assemblies, and molecular machines. All are held together by a combination of intermolecular interactions ranging from van der Waals forces to hydrogen bonds, as well as more subtle effects including polymer chain entropy, molecular shape, and the hydrophobic effect. The use of molecules rather than atoms as building blocks means that there are an enormous number of possibilities for creating kinetically or thermodynamically stable aggregates, and to engineer both properties and functions at a molecular level. In this unit you will learn the design rules for using intermolecular forces to combine multiple components into molecular and colloidal assemblies in order to create various forms of soft, functional, and biomimetic materials. You will also learn how to select, apply, and interpret a range of experimental techniques to characterise the structure and properties of self-assembled materials.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Chemistry Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
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[(CHEM2401 or CHEM2911 or CHEM2915) and (CHEM2402 or CHEM2524 or CHEM2912 or CHEM2916 or CHEM2924)] or (CHEM2521 or CHEM2921 or CHEM2991) |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
?
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None |
| Prohibitions:
?
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CHEM3116 or CHEM3916 or CHEM3922 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Explain various forms of inter-molecular forces and their use in creation of soft, functional and biomimetic materials.
- LO2. Apply knowledge gained on a range of spectroscopic and optical techniques to characterise structure and properties of self assembled materials.
- LO3. Analyse structure and bonding, energetics, equilibrium and the processes occurring in solution.
- LO4. Develop design rules for using intermolecular forces to combine multiple molecular building blocks into kinetically or thermodynamically stable molecular assemblies.
- LO5. Carry out experimental work safely and competently in a chemical laboratory.
- LO6. Develop skills to work collaboratively in responsible data collection, analysis and communication and advance chemical enquiry.
- LO7. Evaluate and interpret scientific information and experimental data and judge their reliability and significance.
- LO8. Communicate scientific information and laboratory findings appropriately both orally and through written work.
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.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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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.
