How can fish and other aquatic life survive when water freezes in winter? What are the components of the air you breathe in? Which has greater global warming potential - Methane or Carbon Dioxide? What happens when lightning streaks through the atmosphere? What is done to prevent barnacles from growing on the hulls of ships and what are the environmental consequences of this action? Have you ever wondered about questions like these?

Chemistry supplies answers to these and countless other questions, and by its very nature, occupies a central position among the sciences. Our lives have benefited enormously from Chemistry. It is in our own interest, as literate citizens and consumers, to understand the far-reaching effects, whether positive or negative, that Chemistry has on our lives and to be able to make informed decisions about the role Chemistry has played in our world. It is not surprising for topics in Chemistry to range from the mathematical such as Quantum Chemistry to the biological such as bioactive molecules.

Program Structure & Curriculum Rationale

Aside from the foundational and introductory modules at Level 1000, the curriculum is built upon the following major branches of a chemistry education:

• Theoretical Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry

Together with the spectroscopic applications they form the bulk of Level 2000 modules and lay out the important concepts of bondings, intramolecular and intermolecular interactions and transformations. Students are required to read all of these modules to obtain a solid foundation for more advanced topics in the latter stages of the course, such as

• Instrument Analysis
• Biomolecules
• Transition Metal Chemistry
• Organic Reaction Mechanisms
• Quantum Chemistry and Molecular Thermodynamics

The course has been planned to incorporate maximum flexibility. The student can select predominantly from modules which provide a more detailed coverage of the area of focus, or opt for a rather larger proportion of modules which provide broadening into other chemical disciplines relevant to the industry and research. Lecturers will impart knowledge gained from their own rich research experience in several frontier areas including Chemistry of Interfaces, Surface Chemistry, Asymmetric Synthesis, Specialty Polymers, Biomaterials, Drug Design, Supramolecular Chemistry, Computational quantum chemistry, Combinatorial Chemistry. Nanomaterials and various Modern Analytical Techniques in order to provide a stimulating learning environment for the students.

In addition to formal lectures, learning is also achieved through laboratory modules in order that the basis of all scientific knowledge on proper experimentation is fully appreciated. These include Advanced Experiments in Inorganic, Organic, Analytical and Physical Chemistry. The emphasis of this programme is on a hands-on problem solving approach to Chemistry drawing on knowledge gained during the lectures and tutorials, to obtain a critical evaluation and a high standard of presentation of experimental work, to gain proficiency in the use of advanced analytical instruments available in the department and to attain familiarity with aspects of experimental design and laboratory safety.

Course Structure

^{Updated 15 May 2012}

For requirements for Chemistry as second major in the new Double Major framework, please click here.

To be awarded a degree with major in Chemistry, candidates must satisfy the following:

Level	Major Requirements		Cumulative Major MCs
	Current	Effective AY2011/12
Level-1000 (24 MCs)	Pass CM1101             Principles of Modern Chemistry CM1111          Basic Inorganic Chemistry CM1121          Basic Organic Chemistry CM1131          Basic Physical Chemistry MA1421  Basic Applied Mathematics for Sciences                 OR MA1102R Calculus LSM1401 * Fundamentals of Biochemistry	Pass CM1111 Inorganic Chemistry 1 CM1121 Organic Chemistry 1 CM1131 Physical Chemistry 1 CM1191 Experiments in Chemistry 1 MA1421  Basic Applied Mathematics for Sciences                 OR MA1102R Calculus LSM1401 * Fundamentals of Biochemistry	24

* Students can use LSM1101 in lieu of LSM1401 to fulfil the major requirements only for those who have withdrawn from the Chemical Sciences Programme and Chemistry/Applied Chemistry students who are reading Life Sciences as a minor or second major.

Level	Major Requirements		Cumulative Major MCs
	Current	Effective AY2012/13
Level 2000	Pass CM2101 Principles of Spectroscopy CM2102 Spectroscopic Applications CM2111 Inorganic Chemistry CM2121 Organic Chemistry CM2132 Physical Chemistry CM2142 Analytical Chemistry	Pass CM2101 Physical Chemistry 2 CM2111 Inorganic Chemistry 2 CM2121 Organic Chemistry 2 CM2142 Analytical Chemistry 1 CM2191 Experiments in Chemistry 2 CM2192 Experiments in Chemistry 3	48
Level 3000	Pass CM3291 Advanced Experiments in Inorganic and Organic Chemistry CM3292 Advanced Experiments in Analytical and Physical Chemistry Any other 4 CM elective modules from Level 3000 i.e. CM32xx, CM3251 (excluding CM3x6x modules, CM3301, CM3311, CM3312 and CM3289) # ) Students are allowed to replace 4 MCs of Level-3000 CM elective modules with Level-4000 CM prefixed modules.		72
Level 4000	Pass CM4199A Honours project any other 4 CM modules from Level 4000 and above (including up to 8MC of Department-approved Level 4000 or above modules outside Chemistry)		104

# UROPS CM3288 can be counted as 4 MC. However, if two semesters work of UROPS is completed, CM3289 is not counted.

Note : Although Applied Chemistry lecture modules (CMXX6X) may be read as electives by those majoring in Chemistry, they cannot be counted towards the 18 modules or 72 MCs needed for the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Applied Chemistry practical modules mat not be taken by these students.

“Faculty requirements of 12 MCs and 16 MCs required for the B.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) programmes respectively are partially fulfilled through the reading of MA1421 and LSM1401 within the major.”

Students undertaking the B.Sc. programme are required to fulfil the remaining 4 MCs of faculty requirements from any one of the following subject groups: Computing Sciences, Physical Sciences and 'Multidisciplinary & Interdisciplinary Sciences'; but not from the following subject groups: Chemical Science, Life Sciences, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences.

Students undertaking the B.Sc. (Hons.) programme are required to fulfil the remaining 8 MCs of Faculty requirements as such:

• 4 MCs from any one of the following subject groups: Computing Sciences, Physical Sciences and Multidisciplinary & Interdisciplinary Sciences; but not from the following subject groups: Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
• 4 MCs of Non-CM prefixed module from any subject group

B.Sc. (Honours) in Chemistry

To qualify for the Honours Programme in Chemistry, the student must have achieved 3.50 and above for the overall CAP.

The Honours programme comprises 4 Level 4 lecture modules (16 MC), up to two (equivalent to 8 MC) of which can be Department-approved Level 4 modules outside Chemistry, and CM4199A (research project, thesis and seminar presentation) which is equivalent to another 4 modules (16 MC). The project involves supervised research. The Department, at its discretion, may prescribe other laboratory work. The total period for the two project components (research and prescribed laboratory work) is about 2 semesters. The student will submit a thesis (or report) and present a seminar at the end of the project.

Essentially the same description as above is applicable to the Applied Chemistry Honours programme, except that of the 4 level 4 modules, some must be Applied Chemistry (CM4x6x) modules. The actual number of CM4x6x modules required is to be decided by the Head of Department or his representative; the other modules must also be approved by him.

Students undertaking the B.Sc. (Hons.) programme are required to fulfil the remaining 8 MCs of faculty requirements as such:

(i)	4 MCs from any one of the following subject groups: Computing Sciences, Physical Sciences and 'Multidisciplinary & Interdisciplinary Sciences'; but not from the following subject groups: Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
(ii)	4 MCs of Non CM prefixed module from any subject group

CM4199A/B Honours Project Module

The honours project is a required part of the honours class in our department. It aims to teach the student how to plan experiments, how to work scientifically to solve a problem and how to present these results in the scientific community in writing and presentations.

Prerequisites:

To qualify to do the honours project, students matriculated in 2002-3 & after must have:

•  A CAP of at least 3.50
• Completed major requirements under the B.Sc. programme
• Fulfilled 100 MCs or more

Students are required to fulfill the Level 3 Major requirements before proceeding to Hons Programmes.  Department will not accept “unofficial” Hons student i.e. fulfilling the Year 3 major module(s) concurrently in Hons Programme.