Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300224 - Chemistry 1. This unit provides an introduction to the principles fundamental to all branches of chemistry. It focuses on atomic structure, periodicity, electronic configuration, structure and bonding, chemical equations, stoichiometry, the mole concept, gas laws, states of matter, intermolecular forces and properties of solutions, chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, electrochemistry, scientific notation, and nomenclature. The unit will emphasise their application to biomedical science, but it is intended to provide a broad, rigorous foundation for studies in all areas of chemistry.

This level one hundred unit provides a solid foundation in the theory and applications of differential calculus, as well as some introductory work on complex numbers. It is the first of two units developing aspects of calculus.

This unit provides an introduction to physics for science and medical science students as well as providing a basis for further study of more advanced physics for students pursuing courses in nanotechnology, chemical, physical and mathematical sciences. It provides a foundation to understand the physical principles which underlay scientific instrumentation and analysis Topics covered include systems of units; Introductory mechanics, Newton’s laws, work, conservation of energy and momentum; Electricity, electrostatics, DC and AC circuits and components, introductory electromagnetism; Waves and optics, electromagnetic radiation, reflection, refraction, image formation, polarisation, interference and diffraction.

This unit provides a broad introduction to nanoscience, the current status of nanotechnology and their applications. It introduces main areas that are central to understanding the importance of nanoscale applications and to study the connection between the underlying nanoscience of various nanotechnology devices. Emphasis will be placed to reflect the true interdisciplinary nature that encompasses a broad understanding of basic sciences intertwined with medical, engineering ,and information sciences pertinent to nanotechnology.

Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300225 - Chemistry 2. This unit uses medicinal chemistry to continue the development of students' understanding of the basic foundations of chemistry begun in Principles of Chemistry. The unit focuses on introductory chemical and pharmacological kinetics, introduces coordination compounds such as haemoglobin, and goes on to an in-depth treatment of the structure, reactivity and nomenclature of the principal organic functional groups. These are discussed in the context of their role in life, medicine and disease. The unit provides a necessary foundation for subsequent studies in chemistry, biochemistry, and related areas.

This level one hundred unit provides a solid foundation in the theory and applications of integral calculus, as well as some introductory work on linear algebra and infinite sequences and series. It is the second of two units developing aspects of calculus.

This unit develops a deeper understanding of physics for students pursuing courses in nanotechnology, chemical, physical and mathematical sciences. Topics covered include Mechanics: Equilibrium, stress and strain, harmonic oscillators, rotational motion, moment of inertia. Gravitation, types of force in nature. Thermal Physics: temperature, specific & latent heat, heat transfer, kinetic theory of gases, first law of thermodynamics, isothermal, isobaric & adiabatic processes. Introduction to Modern Physics: special relativity, time dilation, length contraction, momentum, mass, rest energy, velocity addition. Basic quantum theory, Planck's hypothesis, wave nature of matter, quantum mechanical view of atoms. Nuclear physics, radiation, half-life, nuclear reactions.

Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300221 - Biology 1. Cells are the foundations of life, and an understanding of cell structure and function is required for anyone working in the medical science field. Most diseases result from or lead to malfunctioning of some aspect of cellular processes such as transport across membranes or cell replication. Underlying normal cell function, however, are the molecules of which cells are composed. Consequently, the unit will introduce lipids, carbohydrates, amino and nucleic acids, then study the processes by which these molecules are manipulated to build and recycle organelles, store and transport energy and transmit genetic information in both the prokaryote and eukaryote domains. Accordingly, the unit will include cell replication, sex cell formation, Mendelian genetics as well as cellular respiration and DNA replication, transcription and translation. The role of DNA technology in biomolecular science will be an important component of the unit and will unify the several topics listed above.

This unit will cover the instrumentation used for the characterisation of materials, devices and biological systems with nanoscale features requiring analysis tools with extreme precision. New and innovative cutting edge characterisation techniques for the analysis of surface and bulk of the devices will be discussed.

Students studying at Parramatta campus should refer to 300236 - Physical Chemistry 2. The unit provides the understanding of the chemical principles as applied to biological molecules (biomolecules). Chemical and electrochemical energy transformations approaching equilibria and rates of biological processes are studied and further explored for useful experimental and data-analysis skills. Selected areas including enzyme kinetics or membrane equilibria will be studied.

Students studying atParramatta campus should refer to 300230 - Inorganic Chemistry 2. This unit introduces students to a thorough study of coordination chemistry (discussing complexes, ligands, structure, isomerism, stability, reaction mechanisms, oxidation states, elements in the first transition series, and trends in the periodic table). That foundation is then used to study applications of coordination chemistry in biological systems, in medicine and in areas such as radiopharmaceuticals. The unit then moves on to areas of fundamental inorganic chemistry, including bonding, solution chemistry, and solid state chemistry. This unit also introduces many of the laboratory techniques and equipment that are used in synthetic procedures in coordination chemistry.

Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300219 - Biochemistry 1. This unit investigates protein structure, function, synthesis and degradation in both health and disease. Students will analyse how proteins fold and how this relates to function, illustrated by proteins such as oxygen carriers, enzymes, and gene regulators. The importance of bioinformatics for analysing protein structure, function and evolution will be emphasised. Discussion of enzyme structure and catalytic mechanisms will provide a deeper understanding of how catalytic proteins work. DNA, gene structure and gene expression (transcription and translation) will be investigated in some detail at the molecular level, including the impact of mutation on protein function. The relevance of post-translational modification, protein targeting and protein degradation for healthy cell function will also be discussed.

Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300301 - Organic Chemistry 2. This unit introduces organic chemistry from a biological and pharmaceutical perspective, emphasising the structure & reactivity of biological molecules as organic molecules and functional group manipulation as a tool for drug design and synthesis. Appropriate practical skills to achieve this are learnt in the associated practical work.

The unit covers basic theory of surface chemistry, latest technologies of surface depositions and industrial and commercial applications of nanomaterials and nanopowders. Upon successful completion, the students will achieve an in-depth understanding of techniques of preparation of nanomaterials and nanopowders that includes plasma arching, chemical vapour deposition, electrodeposition, sol-gel synthesis, ball milling and the use of natural particles. Technical aspects of process control on the microstructure and properties of coatings will discussed. Case studies of applications of nanopowders and nanomaterials such as biomedical implants, insulators, high power magnets, molecular sieves, supercomputers, jet engines and other industrial applications will be pursued.

The unit will cover the enormous nanotechnological breakthroughs in biology covering the nature's nanomachines; lipids, DNA and proteins. The students will learn how only a few basic building blocks would self-assemble into more complex structures, which in turn, self-assemble into more complex hierarchical structures from which one could build biodevices. These fascinating self-organising supramolecular structures generally involve some kind of non-covalent binding. In nature, virtually every living cell is powered by a myriad of tiny rotating nanoturbines called ATPase. The unit will cover the great advances that have been achieved in extremely sensitive biosensors to complex biodevices mimicking biological world.

This unit will be offered from Spring 2006. This unit deals with methods of synthesising and assembling nanostructures (eg rotaxanes and catenanes) and spectroscopic techniques used to characterise their composition and structure. The students will learn about the functional groups and their applications such as wiring molecular components to a frame. These molecules will act as moving components in nanomachines, molecular switches, prodders, chemical rotors, paddles, gears, molecular brakes and molecular shuttles. The movements are controlled and driven by pH of the medium, introduction of metal ions, light and electron potential. Case studies on evolution of nanodevices from concept to commercialisation will also be pursued in this unit.

This unit builds upon an understanding of the fundamental physical processes involved in the interaction of electromagnetic radiation of various energies with matter, and develops into analysis of spectroscopic data for structure elucidation, as an analytical technique and for monitoring chemical and biochemical processes. The relevance of these processes and techniques to all other areas of science, particularly chemistry and biology, is emphasised. Spectroscopic methods include advanced NMR spectroscopy, ESR spectroscopy, electronic and visible spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Whilst some basic spectroscopy is taught in a number of other chemistry units, this subject goes to a substantially deeper level.

This unit covers a range of biochemical techniques and methodologies used for both analysis and purification of biological molecules. It includes advanced aspects of spectroscopy, centrifugation, radioisotopes; RNA isolation and detection, chromatographic principles and methods (gel filtration, ion exchange, affinity, hydrophobic interaction, chromatofocusing); electrophoresis principles and methods (SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing, pore gradient, two-dimensional, capillary); protein extraction and separation strategies. The methods and applications of proteomic research are included. The laboratory work parallels lecture material, and students gain hands-on experience in many of these techniques. The importance of quality control is emphasised and quality control programs are carried out concurrently with other laboratory work.

Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300298 - Analytical Chemistry 3. This unit provides the student with skills to carry out the more advanced wet chemical analysis and provides an understanding of the principles of instrumental analysis, covering the areas of spectroscopy, chromatography, electrochemistry, thermal methods and automated methods of analysis. The techniques of analytical method development, inorganic and organic residue analysis, herbal analysis and forensic toxicology analysis will be discussed. Aspects of quality control and quality assurance will also be included.

Cell signalling looks at the molecular mechanisms by which cells communicate and make responses to each other. Disorders of cell signalling have major impacts on human health and are involved in many metabolic disorders, brain function, the immune system, cancer and embryonic development. Knowledge of cell signalling pathways has important spin-offs for design of new drugs. This unit investigates the action of hormones, growth factors, cytokines and morphogens; their receptors and signalling pathways; and the cellular responses they trigger, such as altered metabolism, shape, differentiation, death. Students will expand their understanding of current developments by scientific reading and group discussion. Laboratory work will enable students to develop basic skills in cell culture techniques.

The immune system relies on a complex interplay between cells, receptors and signalling molecules for its effective operation. Antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses will be examined from a molecular and biochemical perspective. Topics include B- and T-cell receptor gene expression, antibody structure, function, maturation; MHC genes and proteins; differentiation and activation of B and T cells; antigen processing and presentation; the roles of cytokines. The relevance of this knowledge for understanding disorders of the immune system will be emphasised throughout. Medical and diagnostic applications of hybridoma technology, antibody engineering and advances in vaccine development will be discussed. The laboratory course will develop technical and interpretative skills in relevant techniques.

Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300231 - Inorganic Chemistry 3. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry is based on the foundations laid in the unit Coordination Chemistry. It covers structure and bonding in inorganic chemistry, higher coordination numbers, lanthanide and actinides, followed by the bioinorganic chemistry of zinc and iron in mammalian and microbial systems. Kinetics and mechanism of inorganic reactions are examined. The important area of organo-transition metal chemistry and catalysis is introduced. Students build on their familiarity with the literature of inorganic chemistry and are introduced to several advanced databases of chemical information. The laboratory sessions develop knowledge of advanced techniques such as anaerobic syntheses and instrumental techniques of characterisation such as NMR, IR and electronic spectra. This is also used to develop an appreciation of the role of computer-based molecular modelling in inorganic chemistry.

This unit concentrates on the solution of some mathematical problems that are suitable for interpretation in a deterministic manner. Selected real-world problems are approximated by mathematical models that are amenable to being written in terms of linear and non-linear equations and ordinary differential equations. In some instances analytic solutions are obtained, while in others computer programs provide numerical results. In either situation, there is emphasis on interpreting models, modifying them as required and using them for prediction.

Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300235 - Organic Chemistry 3. This unit introduces selected areas of more advanced organic chemistry, targeted largely on the tools to synthesise and identify organic molecules of biological and medicinal interest. The practical skills required are learnt through laboratory exercises which complement the theory.

Contemporary medicinal chemistry relies upon a rigorously planned and rational design of drugs based upon a full understanding of both chemistry and biology. An ability to determine and define the chemical structure of the drug, its target system, its site of action and its destruction mechanisms, has allowed the scientist to systematically tailor a drug to its specific purpose using quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) and this methodology is emphasised within the unit. With the accelerating development of computer-based technologies this capability has been extended further. Drugs such as cimetidine and other histamine antagonists are used to illustrate the achievement and future uses of structure-activity relationships in rational drug design, whilst the laboratory work leads to a simulated quantitative structure-activity determination relating to antimicrobials.

This unit investigates the mechanisms and pathways of degradation of introduced compounds within the body and of their removal from the body; the relationship between chemical structure and stability of compounds within the body, including quantitative structure-stability relationships; the physical, metabolic and chemical stability within the body of representatives of each of the major types of drug class, relating this stability to molecular structure; the influence of the stability of drug compounds within the body upon the choice of drug delivery system used.