Undergraduates

Course Information

Core Courses

Course Type AU Information Semester Offered
CM1021 - Basic Inorganic Chemistry with Laboratory 4 AU
  • Concepts of structures and properties of atoms and molecules, bonding, periodicity, isomerism and chemical reactions
  • Fundamentals of spectroscopy.
  • Laboratory work includes both qualitative and quantitative work.

Prerequisite: H2 chemistry or equivalent. 		1
CM1031 - Basic Organic Chemistry with Laboratory 4 AU
  • Chemistry, structures and reactions of the compounds of carbon and the concept of mechanism.
  • Characteristic properties, synthesis and reactivity of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, benzene and other aromatic compounds, halides, alcohols, ethers, epoxides, phenols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, amines, and their derivatives.
  • Laboratory work covers fundamental laboratory techniques.

Prerequisite: H2 chemistry or equivalent. 		1
CM1041 - Basic Physical Chemistry with Laboratory 4 AU
  • The gaseous state – ideal and real gases.
  • Liquids, solids, and molecular interactions.
  • Equilibria (including solubility product).
  • Chemical energetics - Basic concepts of the First Law and an introduction to the Second Law, including entropy and free energy.
  • Equilibrium electrochemistry (including redox reactions).
  • Reaction kinetics and catalysis.

Prerequisite: H2 chemistry or equivalent. 		2
CM1051 - Basic Biology and Biochemistry 3 AU
  • Survey of the significant biomolecules and their roles in living systems.
  • Role played by structure and reactivity in the principles of organic chemistry.

Prerequisite: H2 chemistry or equivalent. 		2
CM2011 - Analytical Chemistry 3 AU Fundamental principles of analytical chemistry:
  • Errors and data analysis.
  • Electrochemical theory and practice.
  • Spectroscopic techniques applied to analysis.
  • Chromatography and separation science.

Prerequisite: CM1021, CM1041 or CM9001. 		1
CM2021 - Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry 3 AU
  • Coordination chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry.
  • Nomenclature, structure and properties of transition metal complexes.
  • Stability constants and isomerism.

Prerequisite: CM1021 or CM9001. 		1 & 2
CM2031 - Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry 3 AU
  • Functional group transformations.
  • Disconnection approach to synthesis.
  • Synthesis and reactivity of polyfunctional organic molecules, heteroaromatic compounds, free radical reactions, pericyclic reactions, stereochemistry and reaction mechanisms.

Prerequisite: CM1031 or CM9001. 		1 & 2
CM2041 - Physical and Biophysical Chemistry 1 3 AU
  • Properties of the Gibbs functions.
  • Chemical potential and fugacity.
  • Changes of states, phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, and electrochemical equilibria.
  • Molecular reaction dynamics and potential energy surfaces; kinetics.
  • Principles of photochemistry.

Prerequisite: CM1021, CM1041 or CM9001. 		2
CM2061 - Chemistry & Biological Chemistry Laboratory 1 3 AU Laboratory topics including:
  • Synthesis.
  • Qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic and inorganic compounds.
  • Techniques of separation.
  • Organic and inorganic reactions.
  • Preparation and systematic identification of compounds by their spectroscopic and chemical properties.

Prerequisite: CM1021 and CM1031, or CM9001. 		1
CM2062 - Chemistry & Biological Chemistry Laboratory 2 3 AU
  • Key techniques in physical and biophysical Chemistry, as well as analytical and bioanalytical chemistry.
  • Data handling and analysis, including the use of relevant computer software.

Prerequisite: CM1041 or CM9001. 		2
CM3011 - Chemical Spectroscopy and Applications 3 AU Commonly used spectroscopic techniques for structure determination:
  • Mass spectrometry.
  • Infrared spectroscopy.
  • UV-vis spectroscopy.
  • NMR spectroscopy.

Prerequisite: CM2021 and CM2031. 		1
CM3021 - Organometallic Chemistry 3 AU Synthesis, bonding, structure, reactivity and applications of organometallic complexes.

Prerequisite: CM2021. 		1 & 2
CM3031 - Organic Reaction Mechanisms and Synthesis 3 AU
  • Strategies in organic synthesis.
  • Reactivity, molecular rearrangements, reaction intermediates, enzymatic reactions, and stereoelectronic effects.

Prerequisite: CM2031. 		1 & 2
CM3041 - Physical and Biophysical Chemistry 2 3 AU
  • Duality of matter and the Heisenberg principle.
  • Schrödinger equation for simple systems.
  • Postulates of quantum mechanics.
  • Symmetries and operators; probability; order and disorder.
  • Statistical interpretation of entropy and the Boltzmann equation; Boltzmann distribution and the partition function for an ideal gas; thermodynamic functions for ideal gases.

Prerequisite: CM2041. 		1
CM3061 - Chemistry & Biological Chemistry Laboratory 3 3 AU Advanced experiments involving multi-step procedures, with minimal supervision. Students are expected to acquire and interpret all necessary spectra, manage their own time and complete reports to a professional standard.

Prerequisite: CM2061. 		2
CM3062 - Chemistry & Biological Chemistry Laboratory 4 3 AU Advanced experiments involving multi-step procedures, with minimal supervision. Students are expected to acquire and interpret all necessary spectra, manage their own time and complete reports to a professional standard.

Prerequisite: CM2062. 		1
MH1802 - Calculus for the Sciences 4 AU Basic mathematical techniques for solving scientific problems.
See the MAS course information page for details. 		1
MH1804 - Mathematics for Chemistry 2 AU Mathematical methods used in higher-level core physical chemistry courses, such as quantum chemistry, spectroscopy, kinetics, and thermodynamics.
See the MAS course information page for details.		 2

Year 4 Prescribed Electives

Course Type AU Information Semester Offered
CM4016 - Pharmaceutical Chemistry 3 AU
  • Biological activity of drug molecules.
  • Basic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
  • Biomedical microbiology; antibiotic bacterial inactivation; basic concepts in clinical antitumor treatment.
  • New techniques in biomedical molecular imaging, and functional nanotechnology in nano-medicine.

Prerequisites: CM1031, CM1051, CM2011, CM2031, and CM3031. 		1
CM4011 - Advanced Analytical Chemistry 3 AU
  • Advanced principles of analytical chemistry.
  • Advanced electrochemical methods.
  • Advanced spectroscopic methods of analysis.
  • Environmental analysis and sampling.
  • Advanced chromatography and separations.
  • Mass spectrometry detection.
  • Surface characterisation techniques.

Prerequisites: CM2011, CM2062, and CM3062. 		2
CM4012 - Structural Determination 3 AU
  • Applications of modern instrumentation for structural determination.
  • Variable temperature and 2D NMR spectroscopy.
  • X-ray diffraction.
  • Raman and infra-red spectroscopy.

Prerequisites: CM3011 and CM3021. 		1
CM4013 - Current Topics in Analytical Chemistry 3 AU Follow-up to CM4011 (Analytical Chemistry), intended for students to obtain in-depth knowledge on bioanalytical chemistry. Topics covered include:
  • Bioanalysis.
  • Biomaterials.
  • Electroanalytical methods.
  • Point-of-care diagnosis and food quality control.

Prerequisites: CM2011, CM2062 and CM3062. 		1
CM4014 - Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 3 AU Small systems and materials at nanometer length scales. Topics covered include:
  • Properties of nanomaterials.
  • Nanofabrication techniques.
  • Nanoscale characterization tools
  • Nanochemistry, biomimicry, etc.

Prerequisite: CM3011. 		1
CM4015 - Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry 3 AU Chemistry and transport of chemical species in the atmosphere. Impacts of atmospheric chemistry on global climate and local environments.

Prerequisites: CM2011, CM2062, and CM3062. 		On hold
CM4017 - Biomedical Imaging and Sensing 3 AU Overview of cutting-edge medical imaging and bio-sensing techniques, with special emphasis on physical fundamentals. Topic covered include:
  • Photonics-based biosensors.
  • State of the art medical imaging techniques, and their applications for disease diagnosis and drug discovery.
  • Comparative analysis of various techniques.
 1
CM4021 - Current Topics in Inorganic Chemistry 3 AU Latest developments in inorganic chemistry. Topics will be selected from the latest research literature. 2
CM4031 - Asymmetric Synthesis 3 AU Introduction to methods for controlling the absolute stereochemistry of the desired product in organic syntheses. Topics include:
  • Principles of asymmetric synthesis and asymmetric catalysis.
  • Application of chiral synthons in total synthesis.

Prerequisite: CM3031. 		On hold
CM4032 - Current Topics in Synthetic Organic Chemistry 3 AU Introduction to the latest developments in synthetic chemistry, intended for students majoring in chemistry and related disciplines. Topics will be selected from the latest research literature.

Prerequisite: CM3031. 		2
CM4033 - Metal Mediated Reactions 3 AU
  • Applications of organometallic and transition metal complexes in major homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions.
  • Reaction mechanisms; selectivity; stereochemistry.

Prerequisites: CM3021 and CM3031. 		2
CM4041 - Quantum Chemistry & Statistical Thermodynamics 3 AU
  • Duality of matter and the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
  • Schrödinger equation for simple systems.
  • Postulates of quantum mechanics
  • Symmetries and operators; probability; order and disorder.
  • Statistical interpretation of entropy and the Boltzmann equation; Boltzmann distribution and the partition function for an ideal gas; thermodynamic functions for ideal gases.

Prerequisite: CM3041. 		On hold
CM4042 - Chemical Kinetics and Dynamics 3 AU
  • Stratospheric ozone depletion.
  • Rate equations and their solutions.
  • Experimental determination of rate laws
  • Microscopic view of reactivity.
  • Transition state theory.
  • Experimental measurements of rate constants.
  • Fuel cell chemistry.
  • Reactivity in solution, catalysis, diffusion, electron transfer (Marcus theory), and proton transfer.

Prerequisite: CM3041. 		2
CM4043 - Molecular Modelling: Principles and Applications 3 AU Introduction to computational chemistry for synthetic organic chemists, with an emphasis on practical computational methods for studying organic chemistry related problems. The course is a combination of lectures and hands-on work. Topics covered include:
  • Building molecular structures.
  • Studying molecular properties.
  • Searching structural conformations.
  • Analyzing the thermodynamics and kinetics of organic reactions.

Prerequisite: CM3041. 		1
CM4044 - Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry ​3 AU
  • ​Python Packages for Data Science and AI
  • AI applications in Chemistry

Prerequisite: (PS0001 and PS0002) OR division approval. 		1​
CM4051 - Advanced Bioorganic Chemistry 3 AU
  • Basic features of biomolecules.
  • Chemical ecology; chemicals used by living organisms for defense and sexual attraction.
  • Biosynthesis.
  • Structure and function of enzymes.
  • Affinity labelling reagents.
  • Mechanism inactivators.
  • Transition state analogue inhibitors.
  • The mechanisms of action of some important enzymes.

Prerequisites: CM1051, CM2031, CM3031, and CM9051. 		On hold
CM4022 - Main-Group Chemistry 3 AU Principles of main group (s and p block) element chemistry, with an emphasis on synthesis, structure, bonding, and reaction mechanisms.

Prerequisite: CM2021. 		Not offered
CM4034 - Natural Product Chemistry 3 AU
  • Diversity of natural products and their roles in biological systems.
  • Chemistry and biosynthesis of the major natural product classes.
  • Synthesis of important natural products.

Prerequisite: CM3031. 		Not offered
CM4052 - Current Topics at the Interface of Chemistry and
 3 AU Introduction to the latest development in synthetic chemistry. Topics will be selected from the latest research literature.

Prerequisites: CM1051 and CM9051. 		Not offered

General Education Requirement (GER) Courses

Course Type AU Information Semester Offered
CM8001 - The Impact of Chemistry on Society 3 AU Discussion of chemistry and its roles in current or potential socio-technological problems. The issues selected, the facts and principles presented, and the habits of mind developed will serve as a guide on how to live responsibly into the future. On hold
CM8002 - Forensic Science 3 AU
  • General principles of forensic science; the use of chemicals and chemical technology to commit and to detect criminal offences; modern developments in crime detection. This course is partly online.
  • Aspects of crime scene physical evidence, such as fingerprinting, firearms and ammunition, hair, fibers, drug identification, serology, DNA methods.
  • Lectures by local experts, with local and overseas case studies.
 1
CM8012 - Introduction to Forensic Science 2 AU
  • General principles of forensic science; the use of chemicals and chemical technology to commit and to detect criminal offences; modern developments in crime detection. This course is offered entirely online.
  • Aspects of crime scene physical evidence, such as fingerprinting, firearms and ammunition, hair, fibers, drug identification, serology, DNA methods.

Students are not allowed to take both this course and CM8002. 		2
CM8022 - Applications of Forensic Science 1 AU
  • General principles of forensic science; the use of chemicals and chemical technology to commit and to detect criminal offences; modern developments in crime detection.
  • Forensic medicine and related fields in the context of Singapore.
  • Aspects of crime scene physical evidence, such as fingerprinting, firearms and ammunition, hair, fibers, drug identification, serology, DNA methods.
This course is not online. Assessment for this course will include material from CM8012. Students are not allowed to take both this course and CM8002. 		1
CM8003 - From Alchemy to Chemistry 3 AU History of chemistry, both practical and theoretical, from the ancient civilisations (Egypt, Greece, China), via Arabia and Medieval Europe, to the modern science of chemistry, including the development of the chemical industry. 2
PS8001 - Defence Science 3 AU Role of mathematical and physical sciences in Defence Science. This course is offered on a Pass/Fail basis. Topics covered include:
  • Chemical defence.
  • Food for the soldier.
  • Mathematical optimization of millitary operations.
  • Mathematical approaches to computational modeling and simulation
  • Physics and defence for new defense technologies.
  • Biological defence.
  • Novel materials.
  • Cryptography.
 2
PS8002 - Entrepreneurship 3 AU This course is offered on a Pass/Fail basis.
  • Fundamental concepts of entrepreneurship.
  • The entrepreneurial perspective through class discussions, case analysis and out-of-class reading.
  • Business planning; processes and tools leading to the development of the business plan.
  • The Internet and role of e-commerce in entrepreneurship and business.
  • Role of technology as a source of entrepreneurial ventures.

Mutually exclusive with Minor in Entrepreneurship. 		Not offered

Electives

Course Type AU Information Semester Offered
CM9001 - Advanced Conceptual Chemistry with Laboratory 3 AU Fundamentals of modern chemistry. Students who have taken this course will be able to start level 2 courses in the following semester. Topic covered include:
  • Models of chemical bonding.
  • Chemical energetics; basic concepts of the First Law and an introduction to the Second Law, including entropy and free energy
  • Equilibrium electrochemistry (including redox reactions); reaction kinetics and catalysis.
  • Chemistry, structures and reactions of the compounds of carbon and the concept of mechanism.
  • Characteristic properties, synthesis and reactivity of alkenes, alkynes, benzene, and other aromatic compounds, alcohols, ethers, epoxides, phenols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives.
  • Introduction to basic spectroscopic techniques such as IR and NMR.
  • Laboratory work includes chemical synthesis, separation and purification processes, thermodynamic and kinetic measurements and introduction to basic spectroscopic techniques such as IR and NMR.
 1 - by invitation only
CM9021 - Materials Chemistry 3 AU
  • Fundamentals of solid state chemistry.
  • Crystalline solids; crystal structure; the Bragg equation.
  • Madelung constant; lattice energy; bonding; intermolecular forces.
  • Lattice planes and surfaces.
  • Defects.
  • Solid-solid phase transitions.
  • Non-crystalline solids; local order; glasses.

Prerequisite: CM1021 or CM9001. 		Not offered
CM9031 - Analytical & Manufacturing Techniques in Pharmaceutical Industry 3 AU Laboratory course providing hands-on experience in the operation, maintenance and applications of analytical instruments like GC/MS and HPLC. Students will master the working principles of the devices, qualitative/quantitative analysis, and purification methods.

Prerequisite: CM3031. 		2
CM9051 - Advanced Biological Chemistry 3 AU
  • Enzyme kinetic and mechanisms.
  • DNA structure and function in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
  • Carbohydrate metabolism
  • Liposomes; structures of living cells.

Prerequisites: CM1051 and CM2031. 		On hold
CM9081 - Medicinal Chemistry 3 AU
  • Physicochemical principles of drug action.
  • Basic principles of drug design.
  • Molecular basis of drug action.
  • Structure-physicochemical activity relationship.

Prerequisites: (CM1031 or CM9001) and CM1051. 		1
CM9082 - Drug Design and Synthesis 3 AU
  • Target discovery and “drugability”
  • Structure-activity relationships.
  • New high-throughput design and screening methods for drug discovery.

Prerequisites: CM1051, CM2031, and CM9081. 		2
CM9083 - Heterocyclic Chemistry 3 AU
  • Structure, properties, synthesis and reactions of heterocyclic compounds, including pyrroles, furans, thiophenes, pyridines, their benzofused analogs and related compounds such as oxazoles, imidazoles and pyrimidines, with more than one heteroatom.
  • Role of heterocycles as synthetic intermediates, as moieties in molecules of pharmaceutical importance, and in biomolecules such as DNA and natural products.

Prerequisite: CM2031. 		1
CM9091 - Industrial and Environmental Chemistry 3 AU Broad inter-disciplinary survey of topics related to industrial and environmental chemistry in Singapore and around the world, with emphasis on practical non-traditional applications of chemistry.

Prerequisites: (CM1021 and CM1031) or CM9001. 		2
CM9092 - Polymer Chemistry 3 AU
  • Classification of polymers.
  • Structure-property relationship.
  • Polymer technology and synthesis
  • Composites, biocomposites, and applications.
Prerequisite: CM1031. 		1
CM9093 - Green Chemistry 3 AU
  • Application of innovative technologies to established industrial processes.
  • Environmentally improved routes to important chemical products.
  • Design of new green chemicals and materials.
  • Resource sustainability; biotechnology alternatives; evaluation of environmental impact.

Prerequisites: CM2021 and CM2013. 		2
CM9101 - Food Chemistry and Analysis 3 AU
  • Structure and properties of food components (water, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, other nutrients, food additives).
  • Chemistry of changes occurring during processing, storage and utilization.
  • Principles, methods and techniques of qualitative and quantitative physical, chemical and biological analyses of food and food ingredients.

Prerequisites: CM1051 and (CM1031 or CM9001). 		1
CM9102 - Food Analysis and Safety 3 AU
  • Pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in foods.
  • Beneficial microorganisms in food systems.
  • Influence of the food system on the growth and survival of microorganisms.
  • Control of microorganisms.

Prerequisites: CM1051 and (CM1031 or CM9001). 		2
CM9103 - Food Processing and Preservation 3 AU
  • Characterisation of raw food material.
  • Principles of food preservation.
  • Principles of food processing techniques (freeze drying, high pressure, asceptic processing, extrusion etc).
  • Packaging materials and methods; cleaning and sanitition; water and waste management.

Prerequisites: CM9101 and CM9102. 		2

Projects and Internships

Course Type AU Information Semester Offered
CM4078 - Honours Project 1
(for students admitted in 2016 to 2018) 		11 AU One semester of research activity in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, culminating in a presentation and a comprehensive written report.
Click here for more information.

Prerequisites: CM3061 and CM3062. 		1 & 2
CM4079 - Professional Internship
(for students admitted in 2016 to 2018) 		11 AU Internship in an approved chemical company or institution.
Click here for more information.

Prerequisites: CM3061 and CM3062. 		1 & 2
CM4080 - Honours Project 1
(for students admitted in 2019 or later) 		10 AU One semester of research activity in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, culminating in a presentation and a comprehensive written report.
Click here for more information.

Prerequisites: CM3061 and CM3062. 		1 & 2
CM4081 - Professional Internship
(for students admitted in 2019 or later) 		10 AU Internship in an approved chemical company or institution.
Click here for more information.

Prerequisites: CM3061 and CM3062. 		1 & 2
CM4073 - Honours Project 2 3 AU Small research project, intended for students who have taken or will take the Professional Internship module (CM4079) to gain academic research experience, or students who took Honours Project I (CM4078) to extend their project. This course is offered on a Pass/Fail basis.
Click here for more information.

Prerequisites: CM3061 and CM3062. 		1 & 2
CM9071 - First Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry 4 AU Research with one or more faculty members in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry. This is an Unrestricted Elective.
Click here for more information. 		Special Term
CM9072 - Second Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry 4 AU Research with one or more faculty members in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry. This is an Unrestricted Elective.
Click here for more information.

Prerequisites: CM9071. 		Special Term
CM9073 Third Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry 4 AU Research with one or more faculty members in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry. This is an Unrestricted Elective.
Click here for more information.

Prerequisites: CM9072. 		Special Term

Legacy FYP/Internship Courses

The following modules are only available for students admitted in 2015 or earlier, for the completion of their Final Year Project and internship/attachment degree requirements.

Course Type AU Information Semester Offered
CM4071 - Honours Project 1
(for students admitted before 2016) 		12 AU One semester of research activity in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, culminating in a presentation and a comprehensive written report.

Prerequisites: CM3061 and CM3062. 		1 & 2
CM4072 - Professional Internship
(for students admitted before 2016) 		12 AU Internship in an approved chemical company or institution. 1 & 2

The Division reserves the right to change or modify the courses offered each semester.

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