Why Bachelor of Science (Honours)?
Curious about the science behind medicines, materials and sustainable technologies?
Step into the world of pure and applied chemistry, where you’ll explore how chemical reactions power life, energy and innovation. Build advanced skills in laboratory techniques, research and scientific communication, while learning how chemistry shapes everything from healthcare to clean energy.
Whether you want to design new materials, develop life-changing treatments or help create a greener future, the Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Pure and Applied Chemistry will prepare you to make a real impact through science.
Overview
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Pure and Applied Chemistry builds the expertise, technical skills and professional experience needed for a future in science, research and innovation.
You’ll develop a strong understanding of chemistry’s role in solving global challenges. Gain experience in critical thinking, scientific communication and project management. With access to advanced facilities and the opportunity to complete a research project or professional placement, you’ll graduate career-ready or well prepared for further study.
Whether you aspire to advance scientific knowledge, create new technologies or contribute to sustainable solutions, this degree provides the foundation to make a meaningful impact across health, industry and the environment.
Key features
Build expertise across organic, inorganic, physical, analytical and medicinal chemistry. - Develop advanced laboratory techniques and scientific research skills.
- Complete an independent research project or industry placement.
- Strengthen your professional skills in ethics, project management and communication.
- Access purpose-built laboratories with industry-standard equipment.
- Prepare for careers across biotechnology, environmental science, pharmaceuticals and more.
What you'll learn
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Pure and Applied Chemistry at Adelaide University provides a strong foundation in the science that drives innovation across industries.
In your first year, you'll study core science and chemistry courses. You’ll also build skills in scientific data handling and visualisation.
In second year, you'll deepen your knowledge in areas such as organic, inorganic, medicinal and biological chemistry. Other courses include environmental chemistry, food chemistry, dosage form design and materials science.
During third year, you’ll focus on building advanced laboratory techniques, data analysis, reporting methods and undertake a major chemistry research project or industry placement.
The final honours year centres on advanced chemistry coursework, scientific communication and a major honours project. You'll develop independent research skills and graduate with a professional level understanding of chemistry’s role in solving real-world challenges.
Majors
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) is also available with majors in the following:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Chemistry
- Environmental and Geospatial Science
- Physics and Geophysics
- Soil Science
- Space Science and Astrophysics
- Theoretical Physics.
What courses you'll study
Complete 192 units comprising:
- 42 to 54 units for Core courses, and
- 84 to 144 units for Majors, and
- At least 6 units from Work integrated learning, and
- 0 to 48 units for Electives
Complete 42 to 54 units comprising:
- 6 to 12 units for all Program core, and
- 12 to 18 units from Common Core, and
- 6 to 30 units from Core Selective
| 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
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
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
|
|
|
Course name
Differential Equations
|
Course code
MATHX202
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Linear Algebra
|
Course code
MATHX104
|
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, Physics and Geophysics, Space Science and Astrophysics, Theoretical Physics
Complete 24 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Chemistry 1A
|
Course code
CHEM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Organic Chemistry 2
|
Course code
CHEM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physical and Inorganic Chemistry 2
|
Course code
CHEM2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Analytical and Sustainable Chemistry 2
|
Course code
CHEM2009
|
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
Professional Skills in Animal Science
|
Course code
ANIM3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
|
Course code
ANIM3900
|
Units
12
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
Course name
Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation
|
Course code
EART3004
|
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 or BIOL3901 - Genetics Practical 3B or 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 EART3004 - Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation and may also 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
Advanced Chemistry (Hons) A
|
Course code
CHEM4000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Communicating Science
|
Course code
EART4004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Honours Chemistry Project
|
Course code
CHEM4001
|
Units
36
|
Complete 54 units comprising:
- 18 units from Level 2 selective courses, and
- 12 units from Level 3 selective courses - List 1, and
- 24 units from Level 3 selective courses - List 2
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
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
Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Analytical Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3007
|
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
|
Career outcomes
Chemistry graduates are valued across many sectors for their problem-solving skills, scientific knowledge and analytical abilities, opening a wide range of career options.
You could work in research laboratories, helping to develop new materials, medicines or sustainable technologies. You might pursue roles in pharmaceutical companies, environmental agencies or government organisations, applying your knowledge to real-world challenges. Perhaps you’ll be involved in scientific communication or technical consulting, translating complex chemical information for broader audiences.
Other careers include:
- Chemist
- Research scientist
- Materials scientist
- Analytical chemist.
Your skills could also support careers in forensic science, biotechnology, environmental protection, food science, health and safety, and chemical engineering. This degree also provides strong preparation for postgraduate study or research pathways.
Industry Trends
Australia’s chemical sciences sector is a vital part of the economy, contributing more than $38 billion to GDP and supporting over 60,000 jobs nationally (Australian Academy of Science, 2015 ).
Demand for chemists is expected to remain strong, particularly in pharmaceuticals, environmental management, materials science, and biotechnology. Jobs and Skills Australia projects that employment in professional, scientific and technical services will grow by 20.9% by 2034 (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024).
Graduates from Adelaide University with expertise in pure and applied chemistry are well-positioned to contribute to emerging areas such as green chemistry, nanotechnology, renewable energy, and medical research, helping to drive innovation and sustainability in a rapidly advancing world.
Accreditation
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
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:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
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.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
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.
Assessment
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:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
