Undergraduate
Chemistry - Synthetic
Contact us
Address
Student Central
The University of Western Australia(M355) 35 Stirling Highway Perth Western Australia 6009
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 3939
International
1800 653 050
Hours
Frequently asked questions
Careers and further study
This major opens up a world of future study pathways and career options.
Career Pathways
Chemistry at UWA produces highly employable graduates for jobs in Western Australia, nationally and internationally. UWA is Western Australia’s top ranked University, and a member of Australia’s Group of Eight Universities. This means UWA Bachelor of Science graduates with a Chemistry – Synthetic Major are widely recognised, and our graduates are highly sought-after by employers including:
• Companies in WA’s (*) two biggest industries:
o Mining (e.g. BHP*, Chevron*, Woodside*, Rio Tinto*, Alcoa*, Shell*, Fortescue*, etc)
o Agriculture (e.g. Wesfarmers*, CSBP*, etc)
• Pharmaceutical and biotech companies like Pfizer*, Perrigo* and Epichem*.
• Chemical and environmental analysis companies like MPL laboratories* and SGS*.
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)*
• Top-ranked International Universities.
Our graduates also embark on careers in teaching, marketing, sales, and patent law with a company or government department. A UWA Science degree with a major in Synthetic Chemistry is your ticket to an exciting and rewarding career with diverse and interesting pathways.
UWA’s research-led teaching will provide you with state-of-the-art scientific knowledge and high level problem solving skills.
The chemical industry is seeking graduates who are specialised in chemistry, but with diverse skill sets. UWA’s unique degree structure sets us apart from other Western Australian universities to train graduates for these jobs.
For example, it is possible to do a major in Synthetic Chemistry with a second major in physical and analytical chemistry, biochemistry/molecular biology, or genetics, pharmacology, or neuroscience, or psychology, or management. You can use your personal interests as a basis for your choice of subjects to study, and, ultimately, to direct your career.
At UWA, like at other universities, you will learn all the required skills and knowledge you need to set off on a career as a chemist in industry or a government organisation. However, as Western Australia’s top university for Physical Sciences including Chemistry, UWA is exclusively placed to provide you with the more diverse skill set you will need to become a leader in the field. This could be in industry as a Chief Technology Officer or Chief Executive Officer, as the founder of your own start-up company, a research theme leader at CSIRO, or as a Professor at a University.
In combination, these factors mean a UWA Bachelor of Science major in Synthetic Chemistry can launch a career focussed on solving humanity’s greatest challenges:
• Understanding and adapting to climate change
• Disease pandemics like covid-19
• Providing food and water for the world’s ever-growing population
• Extending and improving quality of life through medicine
• Sustainable energy production
• Providing the materials that modern society depends on, and that underpin the next technological innovations
• Preserving our planet’s amazing biodiversity.
With a UWA Bachelor of Science major in Synthetic Chemistry you might pursue a career in the following industries:
Pharmaceutical companies, Food and drink industry, Mining, Organic fine chemicals, Polymer production, Government agencies, Fertiliser industry, Health and Medicine area, Nanotechnology Industry, Petrochemical Companies, Paper Industry, Education, Heavy chemicals, Energy Sector, Lighting, Solar cells, Electric vehicles and Manufacturing industries
Salary Information
As a chemist, you can expect an annual salary of $108,000 (+ bonus) as the average across all industries and experience levels, with a salary growth of 2.1% per year. The average entry level salary of scientists commences at $75,000 and ranges up to $130,000 for experienced workers.
Career Opportunities
Fees and scholarships
Undergraduate – Commonwealth supported students
The Annual Fee is an estimate only based on a standard annual study load of 48 points.
For Commonwealth Supported Places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit. For an accurate fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”.
For Full Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee. Visit the Fee Calculator and select your course to see the annual and total course fees.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Undergraduate – onshore students
Annual course fees are calculated based on a standard annual study load of 48 credit points.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Admission requirements
The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers, mature-age applicants and those with previous tertiary study. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.
Minimum entry requirements
- 80
Admission requirements
Mathematics requirement
This major requires a certain level of Mathematics. If you do not meet this level, you may be able to take additional Mathematics units in your first year to satisfy this requirement.
WACE prerequisite: Mathematics Methods ATAR and Chemistry ATAR
English competency
How to apply
Ready to apply for this major? Follow the steps and you’ll be on your way to joining us at UWA.
Course details
About the course
Quick details
- Available 2021
- Perth (Crawley campus)
- Albany (Regional campus)
- Full-time
- Part-time
- On-campus
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Undergraduate
- MJD-CHMSY
- 3 years (BSc), 4 years (BSc[Hons])
Why study this course
- Taught by experts and award-winning academic staff covering all the fields of synthetic chemistry
- All levels of the major include wide and comprehensive laboratory experience
- There is a high demand for chemistry graduates in a variety of industries
You'll learn to
- understand the properties of atoms and molecules, and their reactivity
- solve chemical problems, including the calculation of yields, dilutions and stoichiometry in chemical reactions, as well as understand the theory and practical methods for creating new molecular structures
- demonstrate knowledge in reaction mechanisms, spectroscopy, chemical reactivity and the properties of many classes of compounds and materials
Course Structure
Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.
Popular combinations
Work Integrated Learning
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing opportunities for students to gain hands-on, practical industry relevant experience and for employers to help shape the graduates of tomorrow.
Course Accreditation
Your degree options
School of Molecular Sciences

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