CHM2722 · Systems approaches in sustainable chemistry

Overview

This unit examines chemistry’s importance in sustainability and society and equips you with core skills to effectively practise as a chemist in a range of real-world career contexts. The unit shifts focus from molecular design and lab-based techniques to the exploration of challenges such as emerging pollutants, life cycle analysis, circular chemistry, and more. You will learn systems thinking techniques to map the complex systems in which chemistry is embedded. You will then build an understanding of governance and key actors who guide chemistry practice across industries and gain the skills to represent chemistry expertise constructively with other professions, stakeholders and perspectives. These frameworks and tools will be applied to current, real-world problems, building evidence of your ability to negotiate, debate, and devise practical courses of action that balance sustainability and practical uptake. You will gain the ability to translate your chemistry knowledge into system maps, circular and sustainable strategies, and pair scientific expertise with collaborative skills required for industry and research impact.

Areas of study: Chemistry for Sustainability extended major Chemistry extended major Chemistry major Chemistry minor

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Identify, analyse and make forward-thinking recommendations about current and emerging chemistry-based issues in sustainability and society;
2. Describe core frameworks of green chemistry, circularity and sustainability and apply them to real-world situations;
3. Demonstrate the use of systems thinking techniques for understanding chemistry in diverse contexts;
4. Explain how key actors, regulations and policies govern and shape how chemistry is practised;
5. Demonstrate skills to debate, negotiate and discuss chemistry issues with other professions and perspectives in industry-relevant contexts.

Workload

144 hours per semester consisting of: average of 5 hours per week educator-structured, and 7 hours per week of self-structured. • 2 hour workshop; • 3 hour studio and • 7 hours independent study, including approximately one-hour of structured video lectures, plus preparation, consolidation, independent reading and assessment task completion.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.