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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.
HOW TO APPLY
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 飞颈迟丑听Physics,听Biochemistry,听Environmental Science, or听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听careers. Our听researchers听are engaged in internationally recognised work and听postgraduate students听have opportunities to take part in meaningful projects.
Study Chemistry at UC
At 100 level there are two core courses,听听补苍诲听, which are intended for students with a solid background in Year 13 Chemistry.
听is intended for students with fewer than 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 Chemistry and will lead into the core courses.
- 罢丑别听Science Headstart听programme offers a bridging course.
- A Certificate in Science听is a good option for those who don't want to commit to a full-time degree.
- Check the entry requirements on the听Chemistry subject page.
- International students should refer to UC's International web page.
Let's Talk Chemistry is a听is an introduction to the basic听concepts, vocabulary and language of Chemistry.听It is written for all students who need or wish to study Chemistry听for its own sake or need it as the basis of another discipline (Biological Science, Medicine, Physics, Engineering) at first-year听University level.
It will also provide reinforcement for those who have a basic background and can be a useful resource for teachers.
1.听Let's Talk Chemistry chapter one
2.听Let's Talk Chemistry chapter two
3.听Let's Talk Chemistry chapter three
4.听Let's Talk chemistry chapter four
5.听Let's Talk chemistry chapter five
6.听Let's Talk chemistry chapter six
7.听Let's Talk chemistry chapter seven
8.听Let's Talk Chemistry chapter eight
9.听Let's Talk Chemistry chapter nine
10.听Let's Talk chemistry chapter ten
11.听Let's Talk Chemistry chapter eleven
12.听Let's Talk Chemistry chapter twelve
13.听Let's Talk Chemistry chapter thirteen
14.听Let's Talk Chemistry chapter fourteen
15.听Let's Talk Chemistry chapter fifteen
16.听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听,听,听,听,听,听,听, or听,听听辞谤听.
At 300 level students choose courses that focus on a particular pathway within Chemistry. You can also focus on Biology with Medicinal Chemistry or听, or a Physics-oriented Chemistry degree with Materials Science and Nanotechnology.
See the听degree regulations for the BSc听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. 听It is also an important avenue to postgraduate study and research.
听
Year 1
听
Required听
- 听Chemical Principles and Process
- 听Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry
听
May be required听
- 听Foundations of Chemistry (this is an alternative entry point for students with a weaker background in chemistry)听
听
Recommended听
- 听Cellular Biology and Biochemistry
- 听Diversity of Life
- 听Human Biology
- 听Methods of Mathematics
听
Year 2
听
Required听
- 听Molecules
- 听Chemical Reactivity (equiv听BCHM 212)
- 听Organic Chemistry (equiv听BCHM 206)
- 听Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
听
And either:
- 听Practical Chemistry
听
OR
- 听Practical Biochemistry
听
Recommended
- 听Contemporary Chemistry: Technology, Environment, and Health
- 听Cell Biology听
- 听Biochemistry听
- 听Foundations in Molecular Biology (equiv听BIOL 231)
- 听Microbiology and Genetics
听
Year 3
听
Required听
- CHEM 338听Chemical Biology (equiv BCHM 338)
- 听Bioinorganic and Bioorganic Chemistry (equiv BCHM 339)
- 听Advanced Synthetic Techniques
- At least 15 points from other听听level courses.
听
Recommended听
- 听Organic Synthesis
- 听Protein Science
- 听Biochemical Pathology
- 听Biochemical Techniques
- 听Molecular Genetics
- 听Advanced Molecular and Industrial Microbiology
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.)
听
Year 1
听
Required听
- 听Chemical Principles and Process
- 听Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry
听
May be required听
- 听Foundations of Chemistry (alternative entry point for students with a weaker background in chemistry)
听
Recommended courses from other science subjects, such as MATH, STAT, BIOL, GEOG and PHYS
- 听Introduction to Environmental Science
- 听Cellular Biology and Biochemistry (equiv BCHM111)
- 听Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
- 听Global Environmental Change
- 听Physical geography. Earth, Ocean, Atmosphere
- 听The Dynamic earth System
- 听Environmental Geohazards
- 听Antarctica; The cold climate
- 听Antarctica: Life in the cold
- 听Introductory Physics for Physical Sciences and Engineering
- Methods of Mathematics and/or听听Mathematics 1A
- 听Statistics 1
听
Year 2
听
Required听
- 听Molecules
- 听Chemical Reactivity (equiv听BCHM 212)
- 听Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
- 听Organic Chemistry (equiv听BCHM 206)
听
And either:
- 听Practical Chemistry (preferred)
听
OR
- 听Practical Biochemistry
听
Recommended听
- 听Contemporary Chemistry: Technology, Environment, and Health
- 听Introduction to Biological Data Analysis
- 听Environmental Science and Practice
- 听Resource and Environmental Management
- 听Applied Statistics
- 听Freshwater Resources
听
Year 3
听
Required听
- 听Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology
- 听Instrumental Methods
- At least 30 points from other听听level courses
听
Recommended
- 听Water Resource Management
- 听Biochemical and Environmental Toxicology
Environmental scientists study how the earth works, how people are affecting the environment and how to solve environmental problems.听 Environmental scientists with skills in chemistry are highly sought after.听 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.
听
Year 1
听
Required听
- 听Chemical Principles and Process
- 听Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry
- 听Introduction to Environmental Science
- 听Global Environmental Change
- 听Statistics 1听or听听or equivalent
听
May be required听
- 听Foundations of Chemistry (alternative entry point for students with a weaker background in chemistry)听
- 听Methods of Mathematics
听
Recommended
- 听Introductory Physics for Physical Sciences and Engineering
听
Year 2
听
Required听
- 听Molecules
- 听Chemical Reactivity (equiv听BCHM 212)
- 听Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
- 听Organic Chemistry (equiv听BCHM 206)
- 听Practical Chemistry (preferred);听OR听听Practical Biochemistry
- 听Environmental Science and Practice
- 听Introduction to Biological Data Analysis
- 听Resource and Environmental Management
Note:听听(Contemporary Chemistry: Technology, Environment, and Health) can be taken instead of CHEM 211 or CHEM 242 with approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
听
Year 3
听
Required听
- 60 points from听听level courses, including at least one of听听辞谤听
- ENVR 301听Environmental Science: Cities and Coasts
- 听Research Methods in Geography
听
Recommended
- 听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).
听
Year 1
听
Required听
- 听Chemical Principles and Process
- 听Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry
听
May be required听
- 听Foundations of Chemistry (this is an alternative entry point for students with a weaker background in chemistry)听
听
Recommended听
- 听Methods of Mathematics
- 听Mathematics 1A
- 听Mathematics 1B
听
Complementary Physics courses
- 听Engineering Physics A: Mechanics, Waves, Electromagnetism and Thermal Physics
- 听Engineering Physics B: Electromagnetism, Modern Physics and 'How Things Work'
- 听Introductory Physics for Physical Science and Engineering (if required)
听
Complementary Geology courses
- 听Planet Earth: An Introduction to Geology
- 听The Dynamic Earth System
听
Complementary Biology and Biochemistry Courses
- 听Cellular Biology and Biochemistry
听
Year 2
听
Required听
- 听Molecules
- 听Chemical Reactivity
- 听Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
- 听Organic Chemistry听
- 听Practical Chemistry
OR
- 听Practical Biochemistry
听
Recommended听
- 听Contemporary Chemistry: Technology, Environment, and Health
听
听Complementary Physics courses
- 听Relativistic and Quantum Physics
- 听Electromagnetism and Materials
听
Complementary Geology courses
- 听Rocks, Minerals and Ores
- 听Structural Geology and Global Geophysics
听
Complementary Biology and Biochemistry Courses
- 听Foundations in Molecular Biology (equiv. BCHM 202)
- 听Cell Biology I (equiv. BCHM 253)
- 听Microbiology and Genetics
听
Year 3
听
Required
- 听Materials and Interactions
- 听Advances in Chemical Technology
- 听Instrumental Methods
- At least 15 points from other听听level courses
听
Recommended
- 听Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis
- 听Supramolecular Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
- 听Advanced Synthetic Techniques
听
Complementary Physics courses
- 听Advanced Electromagnetism and Materials
听
Complementary Geology courses
- 听Engineering and Mining Geology
听
Complementary Biology and Biochemistry Courses
- 听Biochemical Techniques
- 听Advanced Molecular and Industrial Microbiology
- 听Biochemistry 3 (equiv. BCHM 301)
- 听Molecular Genetics
- 听Cell Biology 2
- 听Plant Development and Biotechnology
Semester 1 courses
听
Year 1
听
- CHEM111
- PHYS101
- MATH102/EMTH118
- COSC121
听
Year 2
听
- 听Molecules
- 听Chemical Reactivity (equiv听BCHM 212)
- CHEM247 or PHYS 205*
- PHYS285
* PHYS205 required for PHYS319 (runs alternate years)
听
Year 3
听
- CHEM343
- CHEM336
- CHEM340
- CHEM381
听
Semester 2 courses
听
Year 1
听
- CHEM112
- PHYS102
- MATH103/EMTH119
- SCIE101
听
Year 2
听
- CHEM251
- CHEM242
- PHYS206
- BCHM281
听
Year 3
听
- 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.
听
Year 1
听
Required听
- 听Chemical Principles and Process
- 听Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry
听
May be required听
- 听Foundations of Chemistry (alternative entry point for students with a weaker background in chemistry)听
听
Recommended
- 听Methods of Mathematics听or听听Statistics 1听or听听Mathematics 1A
听
Year 2
听
Required听
- 听Molecules
- 听Chemical Reactivity (equiv听BCHM 212)
- 听Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
- 听Organic Chemistry (equiv听BCHM 206)
- 听Practical Chemistry (preferred);听
OR
- 听Practical Biochemistry
听
Recommended听
- 听Contemporary Chemistry: Technology, Environment, and Health
听
Year 3
听
Required听
At least 60 points from听听level courses, including at least one of听听辞谤听
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).听 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听Professional year CAPE, BSc graduates typically need at least a B average and must have appropriate mathematics courses.听 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.听
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听Professional year.
听
A. Starting with BE(Hons) CAPE Intermediate: plan for BSc with CHEM major, followed by direct entry to 2nd听professional year BE(Hons).
听
Year 1
听
- BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate
- CHEM112
- Elective:听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.
听
Year 2
听
- 听Molecules
- 听Chemical Reactivity (equiv听BCHM 212)
- 听Foundations of Materials Science and Nanotechnology or听听Organic Chemistry (equiv听BCHM 206)
- 听or BCHM281
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- MATH201 or MATH 202 or MATH270
- Elective
听
Year 3
听
- CHEM 300 or BCHM3380 or BCHM339
- CHEM381 or CHEM382
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- 300-level CHEM, MATH, PHYS
- Elective
听
B.听Starting with BE(Hons) CAPE Intermediate: plan for BSc with BCHM major, followed by direct entry to 2nd听professional year BE(Hons).
听
Year 1
听
- BE(Hons) CAPE intermediate
- CHEM112 (BCHM112)
- BCHM111 (BIOL111)
听
Year 2
听
- BCHM202
- BCHM222
- BCHM212
- BCHM253
- CHEM281 or BCHM281
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- Elective:听SCIE101 (must be included in year 2 or 3), 200 or 300 level BCHM, BIOL or CHEM course.
听
Year 3
听
- BCHM305
- BCHM306
- BCHM338
- BCHM339
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- 300-level BCHM, MATH, CHEM
- 300-level CHEM, MATH, BIOL
- Elective
听
C.听Plan for BSc with CHEM major, followed by direct entry to 2nd听professional year BE(Hons).
听
Year 1
听
- CHEM111
- CHEM112 (BCHM112)
- MATH102
- MATH103
- EMTH171 or MATH170
- Elective:听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.
听
Year 2
听
- CHEM211
- CHEM212
- CHEM251
- CHEM242
- CHEM281 or BCHM281
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- Elective
听
Year 3
听
- CHEM300 or BCHM338 or BCHM339
- CHEM381 or CHEM382
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- 300-level CHEM, MATH, PHYS
- Elective
听
D. Plan for BSc with BCHM major, followed by direct entry to 2nd听professional year BE(Hons).
听
Year 1
听
- CHEM111
- CHEM112 (BCHM112)
- MATH102
- MATH103
- EMTH171 or MATH170
- BCHM111 (BIOL111)
- Elective:听BIOL112 and BIOL113 recommended for BCHM major; PHYS102 generally useful.
听
Year 2
听
- BCHM202
- BCHM222
- BCHM212
- BCHM253
- CHEM281 or BCHM281
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- Elective
听
Year 3
听
- BCHM305
- BCHM306
- BCHM338
- BCHM339
- MATH201 or MATH202 or MATH270
- 300-level BCHM, MATH, CHEM
- 300-level CHEM, MATH
- Elective
