James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2021

CH3310 - Special Topics in Organic Chemistry

Subject Description

Organic chemistry has made dramatic impacts to our lives from the use of synthetic materials to life saving drugs. This subject will expand on level II organic chemistry and takes the student on an in-depth journey looking at special topics and some of the applications of organic chemistry and physical organic chemistry in the modern world. Specific topics will include advanced spectroscopic techniques including 2D NMR, asymmetric synthesis, organometallic chemistry, retrosynthetic analysis, modern synthetic techniques and organic materials such as polymers. The practical component of the course will take the student to the next level and will have them planning and undertaking multistep synthesis to produce, isolate, purify and characterize complex organic compounds.

Learning Outcomes

• evaluate the experimental basis for the proposal, testing and refinement of reaction mechanisms
• analyse spectroscopic and mass spectral data to identify complex unknown organic compounds
• describe the impacts of organic chemistry on the modern world
• employ advanced synthetic methodology and purification techniques to produce and characterise typical organic compounds

Subject Assessment

• Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (40%) - Individual
• Written > Workbook - (30%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Practical assessment/practical skills demonstration - (30%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Assumed Knowledge:  Students should have completed an organic chemistry subject at second year level

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  CH2101, CH3102, CH3101, CH3103

Availabilities