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School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
Academic school or department
Chemistry
29 October 2023
Chemistry deals with the composition, structure, and behaviour of atoms and molecules that make up all forms of matter. UC's School of Physical and Chemical Sciences (SPCS) is one of the best places to study Chemistry in New Zealand. Find out how to study Chemistry at UC.
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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.
Study Chemistry at UC
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 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 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
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.
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 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
OR
- 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
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)
OR
- 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
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.
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 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
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
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
OR
- BCHM 281 Practical Biochemistry
Recommended
- CHEM 255 Contemporary Chemistry: Technology, Environment, and Health
Complementary Physics courses
Complementary Geology courses
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
Semester 1 courses
Year 1
- CHEM111
- PHYS101
- MATH102/EMTH118
- COSC121
Year 2
* PHYS205 required for PHYS319 (runs alternate years)
Year 3
- CHEM343
- CHEM336
- CHEM340
- CHEM381
Semester 2 courses
Year 1
- CHEM112
- PHYS102
- MATH103/EMTH119
- SCIE101
Year 2
- CHEM251
- CHEM242
- PHYS206
- BCHM281
Year 3
- CHEM333
- CHEM335
- PHYS330 or PHYS319* or CHEM3XX
- CHEM382
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
Year 2
Required
- 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
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
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 2nd 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 optimised 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) 2nd Professional year.
A. Starting with BE(Hons) CAPE Intermediate: plan for BSc with CHEM major, followed by direct entry to 2nd professional year BE(Hons).
Year 1
- BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate
- CHEM112
- 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.
Year 2
- CHEM 251 Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology or CHEM 242 Organic Chemistry (equiv BCHM 206)
- CHEM 281 or BCHM281
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- MATH201 or MATH 202 or MATH270
- Elective
Year 3
- CHEM 300 or BCHM3380 or BCHM339
- CHEM381 or CHEM382
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- 300-level CHEM, MATH, PHYS
- Elective
B. Starting with BE(Hons) CAPE Intermediate: plan for BSc with BCHM major, followed by direct entry to 2nd professional year BE(Hons).
Year 1
- BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate
- CHEM112 (BCHM112)
- BCHM111 (BIOL111)
Year 2
- BCHM202
- BCHM222
- BCHM212
- BCHM253
- CHEM281 or BCHM281
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- Elective: SCIE101 (must be included in year 2 or 3), 200 or 300 level BCHM, BIOL or CHEM course.
Year 3
- BCHM305
- BCHM306
- BCHM338
- BCHM339
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- 300-level BCHM, MATH, CHEM
- 300-level CHEM, MATH, BIOL
- Elective
C. Plan for BSc with CHEM major, followed by direct entry to 2nd professional year BE(Hons).
Year 1
- CHEM111
- CHEM112 (BCHM112)
- MATH102
- MATH103
- EMTH171 or MATH170
- 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.
Year 2
- CHEM211
- CHEM212
- CHEM251
- CHEM242
- CHEM281 or BCHM281
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- Elective
Year 3
- 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 2nd professional year BE(Hons).
Year 1
- CHEM111
- CHEM112 (BCHM112)
- MATH102
- MATH103
- EMTH171 or MATH170
- BCHM111 (BIOL111)
- Elective: BIOL112 and BIOL113 recommended for BCHM major; PHYS102 generally useful.
Year 2
- BCHM202
- BCHM222
- BCHM212
- BCHM253
- CHEM281 or BCHM281
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- Elective
Year 3
- BCHM305
- BCHM306
- BCHM338
- BCHM339
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- 300-level BCHM, MATH, CHEM
- 300-level CHEM, MATH
- Elective
