200-level

BCHM206
Organic Chemistry
Description
Reaction mechanisms, synthesis and biosynthesis of organic compounds.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM212 or BCHM212
Restrictions
CHEM242
CHEM211
Molecules
Description
Atoms and covalent molecules; molecular spectroscopy and characterisation; periodicity and trends: the modern periodic table.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM111
BCHM212
Chemical Reactivity
Description
Structures and properties of organic and biological molecules; application of kinetics and thermodynamics to organic and biochemical reactions; substitution and elimination chemistry; bioinorganic chemistry and electrochemistry.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
BCHM112 (CHEM112) or ENCH241
Restrictions
CHEM212
CHEM212
Chemical Reactivity
Description
Structures and properties of organic and biological molecules; application of kinetics and thermodynamics to organic and biochemical reactions; substitution and elimination chemistry; bioinorganic chemistry and electrochemistry
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM112 or BCHM112 or ENCH241
Restrictions
BCHM212
CHEM242
Organic Chemistry
Description
Reaction mechanisms; synthesis and biosynthesis of organic compounds.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM212 or BCHM212
Restrictions
BCHM206
CHEM246
Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry
Description
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of Medicinal Chemistry. The course will consider how many drugs/pharmaceuticals work, correlating their precise molecular structure with that of their biological targets. The course will also introduce pharmacokinetics, and consider how Medicinal Chemists can optimize the molecular properties of a drug molecule to produce compounds that display enhanced biological effects in living organisms.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM211 and (CHEM212 or BCHM212)
CHEM247
Analytical Chemistry
Description
This course introduces quantitative analytical techniques. Topics covered include sample collection, sample preparation including separation techniques, instrumental analyses and assessing the reliability of results. Students will gain experience with in-situ and laboratory techniques.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM111 or CHEM112 (BCHM112)
CHEM251
Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
Description
This course covers foundational topics in materials science and nanotechnology, including molecular symmetry, quantum mechanics, transition metal chemistry and electromagnetic properties of materials.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM211 or (CHEM111 and PHYS102)
Restrictions
CHEM241 and CHEM245
BCHM281
Practical Biochemistry
Description
This course is laboratory based and includes the following topics: preparative chemistry; purification of biochemicals and chemicals including chromatography; practical spectroscopy and basic analytical methodology; kinetic and thermodynamic measurements on solutions; data analysis, errors and Excel competence. Safety and library elements will be integrated into the course.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
1. CHEM111 and CHEM112 (BCHM112) or 2. CHEM212
Restrictions
CHEM281
CHEM281
Practical Chemistry
Description
This course is required to major in chemistry and preferably it is taken in conjunction with other 200-level chemistry courses. The topics covered in this course are: preparative organic and inorganic chemistry; purification of chemicals including chromatography; practical spectroscopy and basic analytical methodology; data analysis, errors and Excel competence. Kinetic and thermodynamic measurements on solutions.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
1. CHEM111 and CHEM112 (BCHM112) or 2. CHEM212
Restrictions
BCHM281

300-level

CHEM327
Special Topic
Description
Selected lectures, tutorials and assignments from courses relevant to chemistry. Exchange students and new enrolments only may enrol in this course. Credits for this course may not be used to satisfy the requirements of a University of Canterbury degree. Internally assessed.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Entry subject to approval of the Head of Department.
CHEM328
Special Topic
Description
Selected lectures, tutorials and assignments from courses relevant to chemistry. Exchange students and new enrolments only may enrol in this course. Credits for this course may not be used to satisfy the requirements of a University of Canterbury degree. Internally assessed.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Entry subject to approval of the Head of Department.
CHEM330
Introductory Research in the Chemical Sciences
Description
This course involves a research project (approximately 150 hours) in the Chemical Sciences under the supervision of a staff member from the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences. Assessment is through a supervisor’s grade, a written report and an oral presentation. Entry to the course requires a supervisor approved by the Head of School, being available. This course may not be used to satisfy the requirements for a Chemistry or Medicinal major, nor the requirements for entry to postgraduate study in Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry.
Occurrences
Summer Nov 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Either: CHEM281 or BCHM281, plus 45 points from 200 level CHEM, BCHM212, BCHM206 + GPA >8, Or: CHEM281 or BCHM281, CHEM381 or CHEM382, + 45 points from 200 level CHEM, BCHM212, BCHM206. With permission of the HoS, CHEM382 may be taken concurrently.
CHEM333
Chemical Physics and Spectroscopy
Description
This course develops concepts and models needed to realistically describe and characterize useful properties of molecules and materials. Topics include dynamic electrochemistry, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and spectroscopy, photochemistry and lasers
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM251 or CHEM243
CHEM335
Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis
Description
This course covers important concepts in organometallic chemistry and catalysis, including organometallic reactivity, homogeneous catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, nanostructured materials, and industrial aspects of catalysis.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM251 or CHEM241
Restrictions
CHEM321
CHEM336
Supramolecular Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
Description
This course covers important concepts in supramolecular chemistry molecular engineering, including the synthesis of organic building blocks and assembly of complex molecular architectures and functional molecules. Concepts include the role of non-covalent bonding in supramolecular chemistry and structure-function relationships in molecular properties.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM242 (BCHM206) or CHEM251
Restrictions
CHEM322
CHEM337
Organic Synthesis
Description
This course covers important concepts in organic synthesis, including modern synthetic reagents and transformations; reactive intermediates in synthesis; stereoselective synthesis.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM342
Restrictions
CHEM322
CHEM338
Chemical Biology and Protein Chemistry
Description
This course covers important concepts in chemical biology: the application of chemical techniques, tools, analyses, and synthetic chemicals, to the study and manipulation of the molecular processes taking place within cells.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM212 or BCHM212 RP: BCHM202 (BIOL231)
Restrictions
BCHM338, CHEM325, BCHM302
CHEM339
Bioinorganic and Bioorganic Chemistry
Description
This course covers the chemical principles underlying selected important biological processes. The topics covered will be: bio-inorganic chemistry and electrochemistry; metal ions in biology & toxicology; case-studies in contemporary bio-organic chemistry.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM212 or BCHM212. RP: CHEM242 or BCHM206
Restrictions
BCHM339, CHEM325, BCHM302
CHEM340
Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology
Description
Environmental chemistry and toxicology covers the study of chemistry in the biosphere and the impact of humankind on them. The course will cover: the properties of atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic systems; environmental pollutants, and the analytical methods used to monitor them; mechanisms of toxicity of environmental pollutants and their impact on the environment; assessment of environmental risks.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM281 or BCHM281 or CHEM247 or (at least A grade in CHEM111)
Restrictions
CHEM324
CHEM342
Aromatic, heterocyclic, and pharmaceutical chemistry
Description
This course is about the structure and reactivity of aromatic and heterocyclic molecules, and how this reactivity is used in the synthesis of important and interesting compounds, particularly modern pharmaceuticals / drugs. The topics covered by this course are: aromatic chemistry, heterocyclic chemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM242 or BCHM206
Restrictions
CHEM322, CHEM362
CHEM343
Materials Science and Nanotechnology
Description
This course applies the fundamental physical and chemical principles learnt previously to predict and explain the properties of materials at the nano-scale. Topics include nanotechnology, materials fabrication and characterization, polymers, and applied computational chemistry.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM251 or CHEM243
CHEM346
Contemporary Medicinal Chemistry
Description
This course covers several topics in modern medicinal chemistry, focusing on a range of important disease states that have been the focus of attention of medicinal chemists and the pharmaceutical industry. These include: antimicrobial drugs, anti-cancer drugs, neurochemical and cardiovascular drugs, and bioactive natural products from NZ and the Pacific regions, including their uses in Rongoa, and modes of action.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM246. RP: CHEM212, CHEM242
CHEM347
Drug Discovery and Development
Description
This course covers the drug discovery and development process, all the way from lead generation, to structure optimisation, synthetic production, the protection and development of intellectual property, and crossing regulatory hurdles and clinical trials. As part of the course students will participate in an interactive mock drug discovery exercise. The course will also comprise significant Bicultural components, including ethical and legal considerations of obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, Treaty Claims, and the rights of indigenous peoples.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
CHEM342, CHEM346. RP: CHEM212, CHEM242
ENVR356
Field-focused Research Methods in Environmental Science
Description
This course links field-based learning and/or data collection with instruction in research methods and tutorials dedicated to working in research teams analysing, processing and interpreting data in the broad subject area of environmental science.
Occurrences
General non-calendar-based 2025
Special non-calendar-based Two 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Enrolment in the Frontiers Abroad programme and Head of Department approval. RP: Completion of course(s) at home institution in the broader field of Earth Systems Science and Environmental Science and Studies.
Restrictions
GEOL356. This course is not open to non-Frontiers Abroad students
CHEM381
Advanced Synthetic Techniques
Description
Synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry incorporating library skills, and modern structural elucidation techniques such as 2D-NMR and X-ray crystallography.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
(CHEM281 or BCHM281) and CHEM212. RP: Additional 30 points from CHEM211, CHEM242 and CHEM251.
CHEM382
Energy, Environmental and Materials Chemistry Lab
Description
Applications of modern instrumental techniques to problems in environmental chemistry and materials science, with a focus on renewable energy production and storage. This laboratory course includes a series of set experiments and project work. Emphasis is on data analysis, communication skills and self-directed investigations.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
(CHEM281 or BCHM281) and (CHEM211 or CHEM251 or (CHEM111 and CHEM247)). RP: 30 points from CHEM211 - CHEM255.

Not Offered Courses in 2025

200-level

CHEM243
Molecules and Reactions
Description
The science of the very small: quantum theory; molecules to materials: statistical mechanics; molecular mixing: thermodynamics and kinetics.
Occurrences
Not offered 2025, offered in 2013 , 2014 , 2015 , 2016
For further information see CHEM243 course details
Points
15 points
CHEM245
Special Topic
Description
Selected lectures, tutorials and assignments from courses relevant to chemistry.
Occurrences
Not offered 2025, offered in 2017 , 2018
For further information see CHEM245 course details
Points
15 points
CHEM255
Contemporary Chemistry: Technology, Environment, and Health
Description
This course focuses on the interface between chemical technology, the environment and health. Case-studies examine contemporary challenges of optimising the benefits of chemical technology, including such topics as "green chemistry", technology spin-offs and environmental impact.
Occurrences
Not offered 2025, offered in 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 , 2021
For further information see CHEM255 course details
Points
15 points