Don't just imagine your future at University, experience it first-hand!

Step into the shoes of an undergraduate student and join us for our upcoming on-campus Discover Days in Science, Engineering and Fashion. These days are tailored exclusively for Year 12s who are interested in taking their academic journey to the next level. Find your favourite subject now!

Find out more about our Discover Days in Science, Engineering and Fashion

MChem Chemistry with International Study

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Core Physical Chemistry

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEM20212
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Offered by Department of Chemistry
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Solutions and Electrochemistry (Professor Robert Dryfe, 8 lectures)

• Definition and interrelation of mole fraction, molality, molarity.

• Chemical potential: ideal and non-ideal liquid mixtures.

• Electrolyte solutions and their non-ideality: the Debye-Huckel Law.

• Electrode potentials.

• Electrochemical cells and applications.

 

Computational Chemistry I (Electronic Structure Theory - Dr Nicholas Chilton, 8 lectures)

• Introduction to computational chemistry: overview and challenges.

• Solutions of hydrogenic atoms: radial and angular wave functions.

• Many-electron atoms and electronic states.

• Molecular orbital theory:  LCAO and the Hückel method.

• Principles of quantum chemistry and the electronic structure of some simple molecules.

 

Computational Chemistry II (Methods and Application - Dr Neil Burton, 8 lectures)

• Molecular coordinates, the potential energy surface and stationary points.

• Introduction to geometry optimization and conformational analysis.

• Molecular mechanics and force-fields.

• Quantum chemistry methods: application and approximations (including DFT).

• Molecular simulation: classical molecular dynamics and ensemble properties.

Aims

After attending all lectures and completing the workshop/tutorial work, you will be able to:

  • Progress your understanding of the core concepts of physical and theoretical chemistry, especially solutions and electrochemistry, electronic structure and computational chemistry
  • To foster related skills in practical physical chemistry.
  •    

   

 

Teaching and learning methods

  • Standard 3 blocks of 8 x 1 hour lectures (including 3 x 1 hour workshop/examples class) with supplementary information, including additional notes will be available.
  • Tutorials/workshops/examples classes.
  • Online computer tests will be available in blackboard.
  • Feedback Questions on the lectures, together with worked answers, will be discussed in tutorials/workshops/examples classes.

Knowledge and understanding

Students should be able to:

  • Understand the basic thermodynamic principles of solutions and practical applications to electrochemistry.
  • Understand basic quantum mechanical principles to understand the electronic structures and properties of multi-electron atoms and molecules.
  • Understand the fundamental principles of common computational methods of quantum chemistry and molecular simulation.

Intellectual skills

Students should be able to:

  • Use the concepts of physical and theoretical chemistry to explain the properties of solutions and apply these to electrochemical systems.
  • Use the concepts discussed in the course to apply computational chemistry methods to study chemical structure, properties and reactions.

Practical skills

Students should be able to:

  • apply the relevant theoretical skills in practical physical chemistry
  • apply basic computational chemistry software to study the properties of molecules.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Problem solving, numeracy and mathematical and ICT.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 100%

Feedback methods

  • formative assessment/feedback in Blackboard
  • exam questions/multiple choice during lecture
  • feedback from tutors marking and commenting on submitted work

Recommended reading

  • P. Atkins and J de Paula, Atkins' Physical Chemistry (9th Ed), Oxford, 2009
  • A. Hinchliffe, Molecular Modelling for Beginners, Wiley, 2003.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 2
Lectures 24
Tutorials 3
Independent study hours
Independent study 71

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Robert Dryfe Unit coordinator
Neil Burton Unit coordinator
Nicholas Chilton Unit coordinator

Return to course details