Ever wondered what something is really made of? Or what elements are inside? That’s the job of an analytical chemist.
With a Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Analytical Chemistry you’ll learn to break down and examine the composition of various materials. You’ll work to keep everyday items like food, cosmetics, water and medicine, safe and reliable.
Learn how to modify substances to support the development of new products, medicines and technologies. Gain hands-on learning, and the technical skills and real-world experience to start your science career with confidence.
Graduate with advanced skills and knowledge to work in a range of industries, including healthcare, agriculture, environmental science, forensics and manufacturing.
Study the Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Analytical Chemistry in Australia to gain advanced knowledge and hands-on experience needed for a career built on precision and scientific integrity.
Analytical chemistry is all about accuracy – measuring, testing, analysing and interpreting chemical data with exactness, then clearly reporting those results. You’ll study core chemistry subjects alongside practical training in laboratory methods, data handling, scientific reporting and the tools used in professional chemical analysis. Throughout the degree, you'll also build transferable skills in communication, ethics, critical thinking and project management – key strengths for any science-based profession.
You can customise your studies by choosing from a broad selection of electives or adding a second major. The additional honours year allows you to deepen your expertise through advanced coursework and a major research project, sharpening your skills in scientific investigation, critical thinking and independent problem-solving.
From lab work to collaborative projects and optional industry placements, you’ll graduate with the real-world experience and confidence to move into the science workforce or pursue further research.
Build advanced knowledge in analytical chemistry, along with strong technical and professional capabilities.Strengthen your lab skills and refine your understanding of scientific methods through hands-on investigation. Study areas such as bioanalytical and medicinal chemistry, environmental science and sustainability.Broaden your expertise by selecting a second major that complements your honours focus. Access cutting-edge facilities and equipment designed to reflect real industry settings. Complete an extended research project in your honours year to deepen your practical experience.The Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Analytical Chemistry is a four-year degree designed to build strong scientific knowledge and advanced analytical skills. Throughout your studies, you’ll complete a blend of core science subjects, specialised analytical chemistry courses, electives, and in your final year, an extended research project or professional placement.
In first year, you'll begin with foundational science and chemistry courses, such as:
In your second year, you’ll focus more deeply on analytical chemistry, with courses covering:
You’ll also take part in laboratory-based learning to build hands-on skills using modern equipment and technologies used across industry. Data interpretation, reporting methods, and scientific communication are key parts of the learning experience.
Electives offer the flexibility to broaden your study with a second major or focus on areas aligned with your career plans.
In the fourth year, the honours component includes advanced coursework and a major supervised research project in analytical chemistry, or the option to undertake a professional industry placement. This final year helps you develop high-level critical thinking, project management, and independent research skills, giving you a competitive edge for careers in science or further postgraduate study.
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) is also available with majors in the following:
Complete 192 units comprising:
Complete 42 to 54 units comprising:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Science of People, Society and the Future Planet
|
Course code
SCIE1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Data Skills for Scientists
|
Course code
STAT1000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 1
|
Course code
AUXX1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 2
|
Course code
AUXX2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 3
|
Course code
AUXX3000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Biology 1A: Molecules, Genes and Cells
|
Course code
BIOL1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Biology 1B: Evolution and Diversity of Organisms
|
Course code
BIOL1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Chemistry
|
Course code
CHEM1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Chemistry 1A
|
Course code
CHEM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Chemistry 1B
|
Course code
CHEM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Planet Earth
|
Course code
EART1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Earth, Climate and Life Systems
|
Course code
EART1012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Calculus 1
|
Course code
MATH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Calculus 2
|
Course code
MATH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Physics
|
Course code
PHYS1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physics 1A
|
Course code
PHYS1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physics 1B
|
Course code
PHYS1002
|
Units
6
|
Notes
Program core - Students in the following Majors will not enrol in STAT1000 Data Skills for Scientists:
Computational Physics, Experimental Physics, Nuclear and Radiation Physics, Space Science and Astrophysics, Theoretical Physics
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Chemistry 1B
|
Course code
CHEM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Analytical and Sustainable Chemistry 2
|
Course code
CHEM2009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Analytical Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3007
|
Units
6
|
Notes
The courses CHEM1002 Chemistry 1A and CHEM1003 Chemistry 1B require students to have passed certain SACE Stage 2 subjects, or equivalent subjects, to be eligible to enrol. Please see the course information webpages for prerequisite and/or assumed knowledge details. Foundational pathways are available to students without this background, which may increase the duration of the program beyond 3 years. Please contact the Science Program Director to discuss specific enrolment advice based on your previous study.
Complete at least 6 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
|
Course code
ANIM3900
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Skills in Animal Science (UoA)
|
Course code
ANIM3901
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2
|
Course code
BIOL2900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
|
Course code
BIOL3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Microbiology and Immunology Practical 3
|
Course code
BIOL3012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Genetics Practical 3A
|
Course code
BIOL3900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Field Palaeontology 3
|
Course code
EART3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Field Geoscience Program 3
|
Course code
EART3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Optics and Photonics 3
|
Course code
PHYS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Computational Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX300
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Experimental Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX301
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Placement
|
Course code
SCIE3900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Project
|
Course code
SCIE3901
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Genetics Practical 3B
|
Course code
BIOL2016
|
Units
6
|
Notes
If studying ANACHSCIE - Analytical Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ANIBHSCIE - Animal Behaviour then complete ANIM3900 - Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
If studying BIOCHSCIE - Biochemistry then complete BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studying CHEYHSCIE - Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ECOLHSCIE - Ecology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ENVGHSCIE - Environmental and Geospatial Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingENVSHSCIE - Environmental Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying EVOLHSCIE - Evolutionary Biology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying EVOPHSCIE - Evolutionary Biology and Palaeontology the complete EART3002 - Field Palaeontology 3
If studying EXPEHSCIE - Experimental Physics then completePHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studying FOODHSCIE - Food Science and Technology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying GENEHSCIE - Genetics then complete BIOL2900 - Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2 and BIOL3900 - Genetics Practical 3A and BIOL3901 - Genetics Practical 3B and BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studyingGEOLHSCIE - Geology then complete EART3003 - Field Geoscience Program 3
If studyingGEOEHSCIE - Geology and Earth Resources then complete EART3003 - Field Geoscience Program 3
If studyingGEOPHSCIE - Geology and Palaeontology then complete EART3002 - Field Palaeontology 3
If studyingGEOYHSCIE - Geophysics then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMARWHSCIE - Marine and Wildlife Conservation then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMEDBHSCIE - Medicinal and Biological Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMICRHSCIE - Microbiology and Immunology then complete BIOL2900 - Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2 and BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3 and BIOL3012 - Microbiology and Immunology Practical 3
If studyingNUCCHSCIE - Nuclear Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingNUCRHSCIE - Nuclear and Radiation Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics or PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studyingPHYGHSCIE - Physics and Geophysics then complete PHYS3004 - Optics and Photonics 3 or PHYSX300 - Computational Physics
If studyingPLABHSCIE - Plant Biology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingPACHHSCIE - Pure and Applied Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingSOILHSCIE - Soil Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingSPACHSCIE - Space Science and Astrophysics then complete PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studyingTHEOHSCIE - Theoretical Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics or PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Honours Chemistry Project
|
Course code
CHEM4001
|
Units
36
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Chemistry (Hons) A
|
Course code
CHEM4000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Communicating Science
|
Course code
EART4004
|
Units
6
|
Complete 24 units comprising:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Organic Chemistry 2
|
Course code
CHEM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physical and Inorganic Chemistry 2
|
Course code
CHEM2002
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Organic Chemistry 2
|
Course code
CHEM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physical and Inorganic Chemistry 2
|
Course code
CHEM2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 2
|
Course code
CHEM2004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Nuclear and Radiation Chemistry 2
|
Course code
CHEM2007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Chemistry 2
|
Course code
CHEM2010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Materials Chemistry 2
|
Course code
CHEM2011
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Organic Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Inorganic Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physical Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3003
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Organic Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Inorganic Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physical Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Synthetic Methods
|
Course code
CHEM3011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Nuclear and Radiation Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Materials Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3014
|
Units
6
|
With the advanced skills learned in the Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Analytical Chemistry at Adelaide University, you’ll be well-prepared for roles that demand a high level of precision, scientific expertise and independent problem-solving. Industries such as forensics, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, cosmetics, environmental science, food production and materials science all rely on the specialised knowledge honours graduates bring.
You might contribute to medical breakthroughs by identifying new biomarkers for earlier diagnosis and treatment. You could work in forensic labs, analysing trace chemicals to support criminal investigations. Or you may be involved in developing improved methods for recycling plastics, helping to reduce environmental waste and drive sustainable innovation.
You could work in a wide range of sectors including:
Honours-level skills provide the opportunity for leadership roles and specialist positions earlier in your career.
Analytical chemistry is evolving rapidly, with emerging technologies like microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip devices, and artificial intelligence (AI) transforming data collection and analysis. These innovations enhance sensitivity and efficiency while reducing reagent use and waste, aligning with green chemistry principles (Emerging Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 2025). AI is also revolutionising the field by improving data analysis and optimising experimental methods.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Analytical Chemistry at Adelaide University, are well-placed to lead in these advancements, contributing to sustainable practices and technological innovations across various industries.
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Explore answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
