Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2008

Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering

Bachelor of Chemical Sciences (RBSCS) – Bendigo

The chemical industry has long been one of the major destinations for science graduates. The Bachelor of Chemical Sciences caters for the needs of this industry sector, but also provides an excellent qualification for those students considering progressing to a higher degree in chemistry. Although the units specified for the degrees are different for the Bendigo and Melbourne (Bundoora) campuses, students can transfer between campuses if they wish. Graduates are eligible for membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Course structure

The course is of three years full-time or equivalent part-time duration and requires the completion of 360 credit points. Students must complete units totalling at least 120 credit points in each of the first, second and third years. Units from any campus of the University may be included.

Some units are only offered every second year, and this will need to be taken into consideration when planning individual programs.

First year (120 credit points)

Core units (30 credit points)

Teaching period Unit title Unit code Credit points
TE-SEM-1 Chemistry 1A CHE1C1A 15
TE-SEM-2 Chemistry 1B CHE1C1B 15

Electives (90 credit points)

Students must choose first-year science units to the value of 60 credit points, which must include at least 15 credit points of mathematics or physics units. The remaining 30 credit points may be chosen from first-year units offered by any faculty.

Second year (120 credit points)

Core units (60 credit points)

Teaching period Unit title Unit code Credit points
TE-SEM-1 Environmental Chemistry CHE2ENV 15
TE-SEM-1 Pharmaceutical Chemistry CHE2PHC 15
TE-SEM-2 Medicinal Chemistry A CHE2MCA 15
TE-SEM-2 Aquatic Chemistry CHE2AQC 15

Electives (60 credit points)

Students choose second-year science units to the value of 30 credit points. The remaining 30 credit points may be chosen from second-year-level units offered by any faculty.

Third year (120 credit points)

Core units (60 credit points)

Teaching period Unit title Unit code Credit points
TE-SEM-2 Chemical Analysis CHE3ENA 15
Plus three other chemistry units:
TE-SEM-1 Chemical Dynamics CHE3CD 15
TE-SEM-1 Colloids and Polymers CHE3CP 15
TE-SEM-1 Medicinal Chemistry B CHE3MCB 15
TE-SEM-2 Pollution and Waste Management CHE3PW 15

Electives (60 credit points)

Students must choose third-year science units to the value of 30 credit points. The remaining 30 credit points may be chosen from third-year units offered by any faculty.

Honours and postgraduate studies

Eligible students wishing to proceed to further study may undertake an honours degree, which provides a range of research opportunities.