Postgraduate Courses
CHEM
Chemistry
a) Undergraduate courses marked with [BLD] or [SPO] may be offered in the mode of blended learning or self-paced online delivery respectively, subject to different offerings. Students should check the delivery mode of the class section before registration.
b) Undergraduate courses marked with [EXP] may adopt the approach of experiential learning subject to different offerings. Students should check the delivery mode of the class section before registration.
- CHEM 5110Advanced Organic Chemistry I[3-0-0:3]BackgroundCHEM 2118 (prior to 2017-18), CHEM 3120 and CHEM 4140DescriptionMechanism and theory in organic chemistry, molecular orbital theory, structure-activity relationships, isotope effects, solvent effects, neighboring group participation, and reactive intermediates.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Select appropriate methods to evaluate the reaction machanism.
- 2.Interpret experimental results and draw conclusions about reaction mechanism with confidence.
- CHEM 5120Advanced Organic Chemistry II[3-0-0:3]Prerequisite(s)CHEM 5110DescriptionStereochemistry and conformational analysis, reactions of various classes of organic compounds, synthetic organic chemistry, modern methods of synthesis including specific methodologies and multistep complex syntheses.
- CHEM 5130Asymmetric Catalysis[3-0-0:3]BackgroundStudents are expected to have solid knowledge of organic chemistry, especially common reaction mechanisms, for example, CHEM 3120 Organic Chemistry II with a grade of B+ or higher, or equivalent.DescriptionThis course teaches the basic concepts and general modes of action of asymmetric catalysis and synthesis. Asymmetric catalysis is an essential tool in organic synthesis, which is used daily in various industries, such as pharmaceutical, chemical, agriculture, materials, etc. The course will provide in-depth explanation of how catalysts work in organic reactions and how asymmetric control is accomplished in different scenarios. Lectures will focus on mechanistic details of chirality control using case studies. Students are expected to be able to use this important tool to solve various synthetic problems.
- CHEM 5140Chemical Biology[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course is designed to expose students to current methodologies in the field of Chemical Biology. A key focus will be the chemical reactions and probes that have been used to build current techniques in the field. Areas that will be covered include bio-orthogonal chemistry, protein engineering, methods of protein- and cell-specific labelling, biological assay development, cell imaging techniques, and topics in current Chemical Biology research.
- CHEM 5160Advanced Medicinal Chemistry[3-0-0:3]DescriptionDrug design, structure-activity relations, chemistry and biological effects of major classes of physiologically active and psycho-active drugs.
- CHEM 5210Computational Chemistry[2-0-3:3]BackgroundCHEM 3420DescriptionFundamentals and applications of various computational chemistry methods, including molecular orbital calculations, molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics. Computational laboratory practice will be emphasized.
- CHEM 5220Statistical Mechanics: Theory and Applications in Complex Systems[3-0-0:3]BackgroundCHEM 2418 Physical Chemistry (prior to 2018-19)DescriptionClassical statistical mechanics and its applications in complex chemical and biological systems.
- CHEM 5230Quantum Chemistry[3-0-0:3]BackgroundCHEM 3420 OR EquivalentDescriptionIntroduction to basic theories of Quantum Chemistry. Popular theories used in modern Quantum Chemistry such as Hantree-Fock theory, Density Functional theory. Perturbation Theories, and other quantum chemistry theories will be introduced in this course.
- CHEM 5310Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I[3-0-0:3]DescriptionSymmetry, group theory; molecular orbitals, electronic states; ligand field theory; electronic structure of metal complexes; theory of bonding and structure of inorganic compounds; chemistry of the elements; major physical methods used in the determination of molecular structure and bonding.
- CHEM 5340Chemical X-ray Crystallography[3-0-0:3]DescriptionApplications of X-ray diffraction methods to the determination of crystal structures, including crystal symmetry, reciprocal lattice, intensity of diffraction, the phase problem, and refinement of structure parameters, powder X-ray diffraction analysis.
- CHEM 5410Atmospheric Chemistry[3-0-0:3]Co-list withENVR 5410Exclusion(s)ENVR 5410BackgroundBasic knowledge of physical chemistryDescriptionA fundamental introduction to the physical and chemical processes determining the composition of the atmosphere and its implications for climate, ecosystems, and human welfare. Atmospheric transport and transformation. Stratospheric ozone. Oxidizing power of the atmosphere. Regional air pollution: aerosols, smog, and acid rain. Nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, sulfur geochemical cycles. Climate and the greenhouse effect.
- CHEM 5420Advanced Analytical Chemistry[3-0-0:3]DescriptionVarious modalities of spectroscopy, spectrometry and microscopy, separation methods, probes and sensors, miniaturized analytical systems, environmental analysis and bioanalysis.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Describe strengths and weaknesses of specific advanced analytical procedures
- 2.Identify suitable analytical techniques for specific compounds and problems
- 3.Recognize spectroscopic methods suitable for the analysis of particular molecules
- 4.Explain how the scaling of analytical systems affects their properties
- 5.Design probes and sensors tailored to specific analytes
- 6.Apply microscopic techniques for the analysis of small scales
- CHEM 5540Chemistry for Advanced Materials[3-0-0:3]Co-list withNANO 5100Exclusion(s)CHEM 4220, NANO 5100DescriptionChemistry of materials with nano-dimensional structures and advanced functionalities. Working principles of liquid-crystalline displays and organic light-emitting diodes. High-tech applications of luminescent materials in optoelectronic systems, chemical sensors and biological probes.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the core ideas and concepts of materials science and technology.
- 2.Recognize the power of chemical synthesis and materials preparation and carry out investigative research work with independent judgment.
- 3.Apply chemical principles to formulate and analyze analytical and synthetic problems.
- 4.Analyse and interpret experimental data.
- 5.Communicate problem solutions using correct materials chemistry terminology in English.
- CHEM 5880Polymer Chemistry[3-0-0:3]Prerequisite(s)CHEM 2112 (prior to 2017-18) or CHEM 3120DescriptionModern Polymer synthesis, step and chain polymerizations, macromolecular structures, and polymer properties.
- CHEM 6000Chemistry Seminar[0-1-0:1]DescriptionSeries of seminar topics presented by students, faculty and visiting speakers; may be repeated for credit. Graded P or F.
- CHEM 6010Special Topics in Chemistry (JCAS)[2-4 credits]DescriptionAdvanced courses in postgraduate Chemistry including those offered by sister institutions in Hong Kong under the Joint Center for Advanced Studies initiative. Credit to be determined on case by case basis based on workload.
- CHEM 6030Special Topics in Chemistry[1-4 credit(s)]DescriptionSelected topics of current interest to the Department not covered by existing courses. May be repeated for credit if different topics are covered.
- CHEM 6770Professional Development in Science (Chemistry)[0-2-0:2]DescriptionThis two-credit course aims at providing research postgraduate students basic training in ethics, teaching skills, research management, career development, and related professional skills. This course lasts for one year, and is composed of two parts, each consisting of a number of mini-workshops. Part 1 of the course is coordinated by the School; and Part 2 consists of some department-specific workshops which are coordinated by the department. Graded PP, P or F.
- CHEM 6771Professional Enrichment in Chemistry[0-1-0:1]Exclusion(s)CHEM 6770DescriptionThe one-credit course aims to equip students with basic discipline-specific skills and knowledge for their personal and career development in the chemistry area. Training will be provided in the form of mini-workshops or activities. Graded PP, P or F.
- CHEM 6772Professional Development in Chemistry[0-1-0:1]Exclusion(s)CHEM 6770, CHEM 6771DescriptionThis one-credit course aims at providing research postgraduate students basic training in teaching skills, research management, career development, and related professional skills in chemistry. This course normally lasts for one year, and is composed of a number of mini-workshops or tasks which are coordinated by the department. Graded PP, P or F.
- CHEM 6980Research Project[1-4 credit(s)]DescriptionAn independent research project carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. This course is only available for exchange, visiting and visiting internship students.
- CHEM 6990MPhil Thesis ResearchDescriptionMaster's thesis research supervised by a faculty member. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
- CHEM 7990Doctoral Thesis ResearchDescriptionOriginal and independent doctoral thesis research. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.
