Chemistry gives you a sound understanding of the chemical nature of matter and a grounding in laboratory-based chemical science. It is an extraordinarily multidisciplinary science and the interaction with other sciences has an enormous influence on our modern lifestyle and standard of living.
You will explore the impact of chemistry, from the chemistry of elements and their compounds and the relationship between molecular structure and reactivity, to the role of energy, concepts of bond formation and chemical equilibrium.
Issues such as green science and sustainability, energy and fuels, drug design and development and the creation of new materials will provide a robust foundation to your study, alongside bonding and reactivity, synthesis and reactivity, and the physico-chemical principles and techniques that underlie a wide range of modern analytical methods used in chemistry and the biomedical sciences.
You may then concentrate on advanced materials chemistry, biomolecular chemistry, environmental chemistry, inorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, structural and computational chemistry, or the synthesis of bioactive molecules amongst other research interests.
Postgraduate study in Chemistry covers research from across a wide range of chemical sciences.
You might find yourself in a research group designing enzyme inhibitors for diseases such as cancer, preparing new catalysts to help harness solar energy, developing a greater understanding and control of wine aromas, or designing new analytical instrumentation using laser micromachining. To aid this wide range of activities we have an excellent suite of chemical instrumentation and state of the art laboratories.
Postgraduate study in Chemistry can be divided into two general areas – traditional chemistry, such as analytical, educational, environmental, inorganic, materials, medicinal, organic and physical chemistry – or, additional disciplines such as forensics, food, wine, polymers and coatings, or green chemistry.
Undergraduate study in Chemistry
You can study Chemistry as a major in the Bachelor of Science (BSc), or as a specialisation in the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) (BAdvSci(Hons)). You can find out more about these options below.
Studying the Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of atoms and molecules. It deals with molecular structure andsynthesis, chemical reactions and theoretical models that explain molecular behaviour.
Chemistry is a central science – it aims to understand the structure and properties of the world around us, and underpins fields as diverse as biology, geology, environmental science, medicine and engineering. The study of Chemistry leads to new substances, better processing reactions and greater understanding of materials, biological processing and the environment.
Your Chemistry studies will develop your ability to think logically, analyse complex systems and communicate clearly. It will also help you to be creative, numerate and computer literate. All core courses have a hands-on laboratory component and, as part of your major, you’ll complete the Chemistry capstone course, CHEM 399, where you’ll undertake an original laboratory research project or experiment and communicate your findings to others.
You’ll gain experience in:
- Laboratory skills and quantitative measurements
- Experimental design, data processing and computer modelling
- Synthesis and chemical analysis
- Chemical safety and advanced instrumentation
Studying the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) (BAdvSci(Hons)) specialising in Chemistry
This specialisation focuses on chemistry as a multi-disciplinary science. It includes anintroduction to recent research, interdisciplinary aspects of chemical science research andthe pathways to commercial applications of chemistry through research.
The BAdvSci(Hons) in Chemistry will teach you about the interplay of chemistrywith other scientific disciplines and also with the commercial world, both of which are increasingly relevant in today’s society.
There are a range of compulsory core courses that you’ll have to take, but you can explore additional areas of your choice once you’re in your third year. You’ll also complete two advanced courses, which will prepare you to engage in research in the final year of yourdegree. This experience with research and research methods will also provide you witha strong foundation for postgraduate study in Chemistry.
Structuring your programme in Chemistry
- Bachelor of Science – majoring in Chemistry from 2019
- Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) – specialising in Chemistry from 2019
- Bachelor of Science, majoring in Chemistry, for students enrolled prior to 2019
Where can undergraduate study in Chemistry take you?
You may end up working in the fields of food, paper, brewing, paint and plastics, ceramics, metals and agricultural products. Special applications include forensic science and the running of hospital laboratories. You could also work in a Crown Research Institute.
Jobs related to Chemistry
- Analytical, inorganic, organic, materials, physical chemist
- Biochemist
- Chemistry technician
- Lecturer or secondary school teacher
- Research scientist
- Science technician or technical assistant
- Scientific advisor
Further study options
- Bachelor of Science (Honours)
- Master of Science
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science
- Doctor of Philosophy
Help and advice
For further information and advice, please contact the Science Student Centre.
Science Student Centre
Room G20, Level G
(beside the entrance to the Large Chemistry Lecture Theatre)
Building 301
23 Symonds Street
Auckland 1010
Phone: +64 9 923 7020
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.chemistry.auckland.ac.nz
Postgraduate study in Chemistry
Structuring your postgraduate programme in Chemistry
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (BSc(Hons)) in Chemistry
60 points from:
- CHEM 793B BSc(Hons) Dissertation in Chemistry
To complete this course students must enrol in CHEM 793 A, or CHEM 793
60 points from:
- CHEM 710 Advanced Physical Chemistry
- CHEM 720 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 730 Modern Methods for the Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules
- CHEM 735 Advanced Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM 738 Biomolecular Chemistry
- CHEM 740 Current Topics in Analytical Chemistry
- CHEM 750 or CHEM 750A
- CHEM 750B Advanced Topics in Chemistry 1
- CHEM 751 or CHEM 751A
- CHEM 751B Advanced Topics in Chemistry 2
- CHEM 760 Advanced Green Chemistry
- CHEM 780 Advanced Materials Chemistry
Or 45 points from:
- CHEM 710 Advanced Physical Chemistry
- CHEM 720 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 730 Modern Methods for the Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules
- CHEM 735 Advanced Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM 738 Biomolecular Chemistry
- CHEM 740 Current Topics in Analytical Chemistry
- CHEM 750 or CHEM 750A
- CHEM 750B Advanced Topics in Chemistry 1
- CHEM 751 or CHEM 751A
- CHEM 751B Advanced Topics in Chemistry 2
- CHEM 760 Advanced Green Chemistry
- CHEM 780 Advanced Materials Chemistry
And a further 15 points from 700 level courses in a related subject:
- Biological Sciences, Chemical Materials and Engineering, Physiology, Pharmacology
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Chemistry
At least 90 points from:
- CHEM 691
- CHEM 710 Advanced Physical Chemistry
- CHEM 720 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 730 Modern Methods for the Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules
- CHEM 735 Advanced Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM 738 Biomolecular Chemistry
- CHEM 740 Current Topics in Analytical Chemistry
- CHEM 750 or CHEM 750A
- CHEM 750B Advanced Topics in Chemistry 1
- CHEM 751 or CHEM 751A
- CHEM 751B Advanced Topics in Chemistry 2
- CHEM 760 Advanced Green Chemistry
- CHEM 780 Advanced Materials Chemistry
- CHEM 795 Research Methods in Chemistry
Up to 30 points from:
- 600 or 700 level courses in Chemistry or related subjects:
Biological Sciences, Chemical Materials and Engineering, Physiology, Pharmacology
If you are intending to study for a Master of Science in Chemistry you must take
Master of Science (MSc) in Chemistry 120-point (one-year) research masters
Master of Science (MSc) in Chemistry 240-point research masters
15 points:
- CHEM 795 Research Methods in Chemistry
At least 75 points from:
- CHEM 710 Advanced Physical Chemistry
- CHEM 720 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 730 Modern Methods for the Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules
- CHEM 735 Advanced Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM 738 Biomolecular Chemistry
- CHEM 740 Current Topics in Analytical Chemistry
- CHEM 750 or CHEM 750A
- CHEM 750B Advanced Topics in Chemistry 1
- CHEM 751 or CHEM 751A
- CHEM 751B Advanced Topics in Chemistry 2
- CHEM 760 Advanced Green Chemistry
- CHEM 780 Advanced Materials Chemistry
Up to 30 points from:
- 600 or 700 level courses in Chemistry or related subjects:
Biological Sciences, Chemical Materials and Engineering, Physiology, Pharmacology
120 points:
- CHEM 796B MSc Thesis in Chemistry
Master of Science (MSc) in Chemistry 240-point research masters
15 points from:
- CHEM 795 Research Methods in Chemistry
At least 75 points from:
- CHEM 710 Advanced Physical Chemistry
- CHEM 720 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 730 Modern Methods for the Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules
- CHEM 735 Advanced Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM 738 Biomolecular Chemistry
- CHEM 740 Current Topics in Analytical Chemistry
- CHEM 750 or CHEM 750A
- CHEM 750B Advanced Topics in Chemistry 1
- CHEM 751 or CHEM 751A
- CHEM 751B Advanced Topics in Chemistry 2
- CHEM 760 Advanced Green Chemistry
- CHEM 780 Advanced Materials Chemistry
Up to 30 points from:
- 600 or 700 level courses in Chemistry or related subjects:
Biological Sciences, Chemical Materials and Engineering, Physiology, Pharmacology
120 points:
- CHEM 796B MSc Thesis in Chemistry
Prerequisites
Prior to applying to the MSc in Chemistry you are required to have completed CHEM 795 Research Methods in Chemistry
Courses
Explore the postgraduate courses you can take for a Chemistry major:
- Postgraduate Chemistry courses
- Postgraduate Food Science courses
- Postgraduate Forensic Science courses
- Postgraduate Medicinal Chemistry courses
- Postgraduate Pharmacology courses
- Postgraduate Physiology courses
- Postgraduate Wine Science courses
Where can postgraduate study in Chemistry take you?
Postgraduate study in Chemistry prepares you to work in many industries and fields such as: brewing, ceramics, food science, metals and agricultural, paper, paint and plastics, pharmaceutical, polymers and coatings, and Crown Research Institutes.
Jobs related to Chemistry
- Analytical, inorganic, organic, materials, physical chemist
- Biochemist
- Chemistry technician
- Forensic scientist
- Higher education lecturer
- Management of research and development units
- Materials chemist
- Organic chemist
- Physical chemist
- Research scientist
- Science technician
- Scientific advisor
- Secondary teacher
- Technical assistant
Help and advice
For further information and advice, please contact the Science Student Centre.
Science Student Centre
Level G, Room G 20
(beside the entrance to the Large Chemistry Lecture Theatre)
Building 301
23 Symonds Street
Auckland 1010
Phone: +64 9 923 7020
Email: [email protected]
To find a supervisor to work with you on your research project please see Postgraduate Research Topics.