Chemistry

School of Physical and Chemical Sciences (SPCS) at the University of Canterbury is one of the best places to study Chemistry in New Zealand (在新西兰学习化学), including recently introduced SPCS online-to-campus pathway (新西兰本科留学, 新西兰大学学习).

The central discipline in science, Chemistry is the study of substances and their transformation. It is the science that deals with the composition, structure and behaviour of the atoms and molecules which make up all forms of matter. Chemistry is interdisciplinary, merging with Biology, Physics, and other subjects in certain aspects.

A basic knowledge of Chemistry is essential in order to appreciate and understand the material world in which we live. It also provides a means of making the world a better place. Chemistry has an important role to play in solving the world's major problems in energy, food supply, health and the environment. Modern society relies on chemists for everything from medicine to materials.

Chemistry is also a popular choice for students pursuing double majors or double degrees. Common combinations include Chemistry with Physics, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or Law. Students of Engineering, Biology, Forestry and the Earth Sciences may need to study Chemistry as a support to their main discipline.

Studying Chemistry at undergraduate level will open the door to a broad range of careers. Our researchers are engaged in internationally recognised work and postgraduate students have opportunities to take part in meaningful projects.

Preparing to study Chemistry

At 100 level there are two core courses, CHEM 111 and CHEM 112, which are intended for students with a solid background in Year 13 Chemistry. CHEM 114 is intended for for students with fewer than 14 credits in NCEA level 3 Chemistry and will lead into the core courses.

The Science Headstart programme offers a bridging course.
A Certificate in Science is a good option for those who don't want to commit to a full-time degree.
Check the entry requirements on the Chemistry subject page.
International students should refer to UC's International web page.

Let's Talk Chemistry

Let's Talk Chemistry is a is an introduction to the basic concepts, vocabulary and language of Chemistry. It is written for all students who need or wish to study Chemistry for its own sake or need it as the basis of another discipline (Biological Science, Medicine, Physics, Engineering) at first-year University level.

It will also provide reinforcement for those who have a basic background and can be a useful resource for teachers.

1. Let's Talk Chemistry chapter one

2. Let's Talk Chemistry chapter two

3. Let's Talk Chemistry chapter three

4. Let's talk chemistry chapter four

5. Let's talk chemistry chapter five

6. Let's talk chemistry chapter six

7. Let's talk chemistry chapter seven

8. Let's Talk Chemistry chapter eight

9. Let's Talk Chemistry chapter nine

10. Let's talk chemistry chapter ten

11. Let's Talk Chemistry chapter eleven

12. Let's Talk Chemistry chapter twelve

13. Let's Talk Chemistry chapter thirteen

14. Let's Talk Chemistry chapter fourteen

15. Let's Talk Chemistry chapter fifteen

16. Let's Talk Chemistry chapter sixteen

Let's Talk Chemistry index of terms

Let's Talk Chemistry answers to exercises

Chemistry in other degrees

Chemistry is an important component in many other fields of study including Agriculture, Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Consumer and Applied Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Forestry, Horticulture, Human Nutrition, Law, Optometry, Pharmacy, Nuclear Chemistry, Veterinary Science and many others.

At UC, degrees in Biology, Biochemistry, Engineering and Forestry also include 100-level courses in Chemistry.

Core courses

The core courses for a degree in Chemistry are CHEM 111, CHEM 112, CHEM 211, CHEM 212, CHEM 251, CHEM 242, CHEM 281, or BCHM 281, CHEM 381 or CHEM 382.

At 300 level students choose courses that focus on a particular pathway within Chemistry. You can also focus on Biology with Medicinal Chemistry or , or a Physics-oriented Chemistry degree with Materials Science and Nanotechnology.

See the degree regulations for the BSc and then view the options for different pathways below.

Chemistry study pathways

Chemical Biology and Biological Chemistry

Chemical Biology and Biological Chemistry are the study of the chemical principles underlying biological processes, and the application of chemical techniques and tools to the study and manipulation of the molecular processes taking place within cells. This combination of courses provides a solid background for careers in pharmaceutical research, drug development, health, forensic science, biotechnology and proteomics. It is also an important avenue to postgraduate study and research.

Year 1

Required

CHEM 111 Chemical Principles and Process
CHEM 112 Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry

May be required

CHEM 114 Foundations of Chemistry (this is an alternative entry point for students with a weaker background in chemistry)

Recommended

BIOL 111 Cellular Biology and Biochemistry
BIOL 113 Diversity of Life
BIOL 116 Human Biology
MATH 101 Methods of Mathematics

Year 2

Required

CHEM 211 Molecules
CHEM 212 Chemical Reactivity (equiv BCHM 212)
CHEM 242 Organic Chemistry (equiv BCHM 206)
CHEM 251 Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology

And either:

CHEM 281 Practical Chemistry

BCHM 281 Practical Biochemistry

Recommended

CHEM 255 Contemporary Chemistry: Technology, Environment, and Health
BCHM 253 Cell Biology
BCHM 222 Biochemistry
BCHM 202 Foundations in Molecular Biology (equiv BIOL 231)
BIOL 213 Microbiology and Genetics

Year 3

Required

CHEM 338 Chemical Biology (equiv BCHM 338)
CHEM 339 Bioinorganic and Bioorganic Chemistry (equiv BCHM 339)
CHEM 381 Advanced Synthetic Techniques
At least 15 points from other CHEM 300 level courses.

Recommended

CHEM 337 Organic Synthesis
BCHM 305 Protein Science
BCHM 306 Biochemical Pathology
BCHM 381 Biochemical Techniques
BIOL 333 Molecular Genetics
BIOL 313 Advanced Molecular and Industrial Microbiology

Environmental Chemistry

Environmental chemists undertake research and provide advice on how chemicals move through the environment and their effects on human health and the environment. Graduates find careers in environmental consulting, environmental testing, education and policy development. There are a range of opportunities in postgraduate study and research.

(If you are interested in Chemistry and environmental chemistry/science, there are two pathways you can follow: i) a BSc with a major in Chemistry that emphasises environmental chemistry (described below) and ii)a BSc with a double major in Chemistry (any pathway can be chosen) and Environmental Science. This double major is described on the tab below.)

Year 1

Required

CHEM 111 Chemical Principles and Process
CHEM 112 Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry

May be required

CHEM 114 Foundations of Chemistry (alternative entry point for students with a weaker background in chemistry)

Recommended courses from other science subjects, such as MATH, STAT, BIOL, GEOG and PHYS

ENVR 101 Introduction to Environmental Science
BIOL 111 Cellular Biology and Biochemistry (equiv BCHM111)
BIOL 112 Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
GEOG 106 Global Environmental Change
GEOG 109 Physical geography. Earth, Ocean, Atmosphere
GEOL 115 The Dynamic earth System
GEOL 113 Environmental Geohazards
ANTA 101 Antarctica; The cold climate
ANTA 102 Antarctica: Life in the cold
PHYS 111 Introductory Physics for Physical Sciences and Engineering
MATH 101Methods of Mathematics and/or MATH 102 Mathematics 1A
STAT 101 Statistics 1

Year 2

Required

CHEM 211 Molecules
CHEM 212 Chemical Reactivity (equiv BCHM 212)
CHEM 251 Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
CHEM 242 Organic Chemistry (equiv BCHM 206)

And either:

CHEM 281 Practical Chemistry (preferred)

BCHM 281 Practical Biochemistry

Recommended

CHEM 255 Contemporary Chemistry: Technology, Environment, and Health
BIOL 209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis
ENVR 201 Environmental Science and Practice
GEOG 206 Resource and Environmental Management
STAT 201 Applied Statistics
WATR 201 Freshwater Resources

Year 3

Required

CHEM 340 Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology
CHEM 382 Instrumental Methods
At least 30 points from other CHEM 300 level courses

Recommended

WATR 301 Water Resource Management
BCHM 335 Biochemical and Environmental Toxicology

Double Major in Environmental Science and Chemistry

Environmental scientists study how the earth works, how people are affecting the environment and how to solve environmental problems. Environmental scientists with skills in chemistry are highly sought after. Example careers include helping businesses to be more sustainable, working with engineering firms to reduce impacts of major projects and advising government agencies on environmental risks.

If you are interested in Chemistry and environmental chemistry/science, there are two pathways you can follow:

i) a BSc with a major in Chemistry that emphasises environmental chemistry (described on the tab above) and

ii) a BSc with a double major in Chemistry (any pathway can be chosen) and Environmental Science. This double major is described here, with more information at:

http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/science/schools-and-departments/environmental-science/

Year 1

Required

CHEM 111 Chemical Principles and Process
CHEM 112 Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry
ENVR 101 Introduction to Environmental Science
GEOG 106 Global Environmental Change
STAT 101 Statistics 1 or MATH 102 or equivalent

May be required

CHEM 114 Foundations of Chemistry (alternative entry point for students with a weaker background in chemistry)
MATH 101 Methods of Mathematics

Recommended

PHYS 111 Introductory Physics for Physical Sciences and Engineering

Year 2

Required

CHEM 211 Molecules
CHEM 212 Chemical Reactivity (equiv BCHM 212)
CHEM 251 Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
CHEM 242 Organic Chemistry (equiv BCHM 206)
CHEM 281 Practical Chemistry (preferred); OR BCHM 281 Practical Biochemistry
ENVR 201 Environmental Science and Practice
BIOL 209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis
GEOG 206 Resource and Environmental Management

Note: CHEM 255 (Contemporary Chemistry: Technology, Environment, and Health) can be taken instead of CHEM 211 or CHEM 242 with approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Year 3

Required

60 points from CHEM 300 level courses, including at least one of CHEM 381 or CHEM 382
ENVR 301 Environmental Science: Cities and Coasts
GEOG 309 Research Methods in Geography

Recommended

CHEM 340 Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology

Materials Science and Nanotechnology

Materials science and nanotechnology develop knowledge and understanding of material structure and properties. Understanding the behaviour of atoms, molecules and nanoscale objects paves the way to rational design and synthesis of functional materials with desired compositions and structures needed for specific applications. This underpins discovery and development of new materials needed by high-tech industries. Materials science and nanotechnology are strongly interdisciplinary and offer opportunities to work with physicists, biologists, geologists and engineers.

Depending on your interests, your Chemistry courses can be complemented by courses in Physics (giving a strong background in the origins of the physical properties of materials and behaviour at the nanoscale), in Geology (expanding your knowledge of the properties of geological materials (rocks etc)) or Biology (providing a background relevant to bionanotechnology and biomaterials).

Year 1

Required

CHEM 111 Chemical Principles and Process
CHEM 112 Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry

May be required

CHEM 114 Foundations of Chemistry (this is an alternative entry point for students with a weaker background in chemistry)

Recommended

MATH 101 Methods of Mathematics
MATH 102 Mathematics 1A
MATH 103 Mathematics 1B

Complementary Physics courses

PHYS 101 Engineering Physics A: Mechanics, Waves, Electromagnetism and Thermal Physics
PHYS 102 Engineering Physics B: Electromagnetism, Modern Physics and 'How Things Work'
PHYS 111 Introductory Physics for Physical Science and Engineering (if required)

Complementary Geology courses

GEOL 111 Planet Earth: An Introduction to Geology
GEOL 115 The Dynamic Earth System

Complementary Biology and Biochemistry Courses

BIOL 111 Cellular Biology and Biochemistry

Year 2

Required

CHEM 211 Molecules
CHEM 212 Chemical Reactivity
CHEM 251 Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
CHEM 242 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 281 Practical Chemistry

BCHM 281 Practical Biochemistry

Recommended

CHEM 255 Contemporary Chemistry: Technology, Environment, and Health

Complementary Physics courses

PHYS 203 Relativistic and Quantum Physics
PHYS 206 Electromagnetism and Materials

Complementary Geology courses

GEOL 242 Rocks, Minerals and Ores
GEOL 244 Structural Geology and Global Geophysics

Complementary Biology and Biochemistry Courses

BIOL 231 Foundations in Molecular Biology (equiv. BCHM 202)
BIOL 253 Cell Biology I (equiv. BCHM 253)
BIOL 213 Microbiology and Genetics

Year 3

Required

CHEM 333 Materials and Interactions
CHEM 343 Advances in Chemical Technology
CHEM 382 Instrumental Methods
At least 15 points from other CHEM 300 level courses

Recommended

CHEM 335 Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis
CHEM 336 Supramolecular Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
CHEM 381 Advanced Synthetic Techniques

Complementary Physics courses

PHYS 313 Advanced Electromagnetism and Materials

Complementary Geology courses

GEOL 338 Engineering and Mining Geology

Complementary Biology and Biochemistry Courses

BCHM 381 Biochemical Techniques
BIOL 313 Advanced Molecular and Industrial Microbiology
BIOL 331 Biochemistry 3 (equiv. BCHM 301)
BIOL 333 Molecular Genetics
BIOL 351 Cell Biology 2
BIOL 352 Plant Development and Biotechnology

Climate Change Chemistry

Semester 1 courses

1st year	CHEM111	PHYS101	MATH102/EMTH118	COSC121
2nd year	CHEM211	CHEM212	CHEM247 or PHYS205*	PHYS285
3rd year	CHEM343	CHEM336	CHEM340	CHEM381

Semester 2 courses

1st year	CHEM112	PHYS102	MATH103/EMTH119	SCIE101
2nd year	CHEM251	CHEM242	PHYS206	BCHM281
3rd year	CHEM333	CHEM335	PHYS330 or PHYS319* or CHEM3XX	CHEM382

*PHYS205 required for PHYS319 (runs alternate years)

Personalised Programme of Study

If your Chemistry interests do not neatly fit into any of the focussed pathways: no problem! To complete a Chemistry major you must include the compulsory courses at 100 and 200 level, and then you can choose any 60 points (or more) from CHEM 300 level courses, including at least one of CHEM 381 or CHEM 382

Year 1

Required

CHEM 111 Chemical Principles and Process
CHEM 112 Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry

May be required

CHEM 114 Foundations of Chemistry (alternative entry point for students with a weaker background in chemistry)

Recommended

MATH 101 Methods of Mathematics or STAT 101 Statistics 1 or MATH 102 Mathematics 1A

Year 2

Required

CHEM 211 Molecules
CHEM 212 Chemical Reactivity (equiv BCHM 212)

CHEM 251 Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
CHEM 242 Organic Chemistry (equiv BCHM 206)
CHEM 281 Practical Chemistry (preferred);

BCHM 281 Practical Biochemistry

Recommended

CHEM 255 Contemporary Chemistry: Technology, Environment, and Health

Year 3

Required

At least 60 points from CHEM 300 level courses, including at least one of CHEM 381 or CHEM 382

BSc with a CHEM or BCHM major followed by direct entry to 2nd Pro Year BE (Hons) in Chem and Proc Eng.

This pathway enables students to graduate with a BSc after 3 years, and after a further 2 years they can graduate with a BE(Hons) CAPE (5 years in total for both degrees). It gives CAPE graduates a better and deeper foundation in the science behind their Engineering qualification, and science graduates a more practical framework to complement their discipline-based knowledge.

To enter 2^nd Professional year CAPE, BSc graduates typically need at least a B average and must have appropriate mathematics courses. All students require the approval of the Dean of Engineering to enter the BE(Hons) programme.

The tables below outline BSc structures optimized for this pathway.

Note:

All degrees must meet the general requirements for a BSc;
SCIE101 must be one of the electives in your BSc;
It is expected that MATH courses are taken in all of years 1-3, however only 200 level MATH courses are required;
MATH101 may be required for entry to MATH102;
CHEM114 may be required for entry to CHEM111 and CHEM112 (equiv. BCHM112);
In all cases students will be required to take ENCH199 during their BE(Hons) 2^nd Professional year.

A. Starting with BE(Hons) CAPE Intermediate: plan for BSc with CHEM major, followed by direct entry to 2^nd professional year BE(Hons)

1	BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate	BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate	BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate	BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate	BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate	BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate	CHEM112	*Elective
2	CHEM211	CHEM212	CHEM251	CHEM242	CHEM281 or BCHM281	MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270	MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270	*Elective
3	CHEM300 or BCHM338 or BCHM339	CHEM300 or BCHM338 or BCHM339	CHEM300 or BCHM338 or BCHM339	CHEM381 or CHEM382	MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270	300 level CHEM, MATH, PHYS	300 level CHEM, MATH, PHYS	*Elective

*Elective: PHYS101 and PHYS102 recommended to support materials chemistry pathway; BCHM111 (BIOL111) required for a biochemistry major and is recommended for the bioprocessing minor in Chemical and Process Engineering.

B. Starting with BE(Hons) CAPE Intermediate: plan for BSc with BCHM major, followed by direct entry to 2^nd professional year BE(Hons)

1	BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate	BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate	BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate	BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate	BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate	BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate	CHEM112 (BCHM112)	BCHM111 (BIOL111)
2	BCHM202	BCHM222	BCHM212	BCHM253	CHEM281 or BCHM281	MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270	MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270	*Elective
3	BCHM305	BCHM306	BCHM338	BCHM339	MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270	300 level BCHM, MATH, CHEM	300 level CHEM, MATH, BIOL	*Elective

*Elective: SCIE101 (must be included in year 2 or 3), 200 or 300 level BCHM, BIOL or CHEM course.

C. Plan for BSc with CHEM major, followed by direct entry to 2^nd professional year BE(Hons)

CHEM111

CHEM112

(BCHM112)

MATH102

MATH103

EMTH171 or MATH170

*Elective

CHEM211

CHEM212

CHEM251

CHEM242

CHEM281 or BCHM281

MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270

*Elective

CHEM300 or BCHM338 or BCHM339

CHEM381 or CHEM382

MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270

300 level CHEM, MATH, PHYS

*Elective

D. Plan for BSc with BCHM major, followed by direct entry to 2^nd professional year BE(Hons)

1	CHEM111	CHEM112 (BCHM112)	MATH102	MATH103	EMTH171 or MATH170	BCHM111 (BIOL111)	*Elective	*Elective
2	BCHM202	BCHM222	BCHM212	BCHM253	CHEM281 or BCHM281	MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270	MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270	*Elective
3	BCHM305	BCHM306	BCHM338	BCHM339	MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270	300 level BCHM, MATH, CHEM	300 level CHEM, MATH	*Elective

*Elective: BIOL112 and BIOL113 recommended for BCHM major; PHYS102 generally useful.

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