Natural Sciences

NSC2002 - Physical Chemistry (2016)

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MODULE TITLEPhysical Chemistry CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODENSC2002 MODULE CONVENERUnknown
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 11 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 20
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Physical chemistry is the study of the physical principals underpinning the properties and behaviour of chemical systems. These systems range from individual atoms to complex molecules, at many levels of organisation and in many different environments. From a simple gas to the atmosphere of a planet, from a single molecule to a biological cell, the same principles apply. These are the thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and chemical kinetics of physical chemistry.

In this module, you will gain a working knowledge of the principles and applications of physical chemistry that you will be able to employ across all of science.

Pre-requisites: NSC1003 Foundations in Natural Sciences or BIO1346 Biophysical Chemistry

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to build on the concepts of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics covered in NSC1003 Foundations in Natural Sciences, introducing quantum chemistry and then molecular spectroscopies (e.g. UV-visible, IR, Raman), before considering intermolecular forces, macromolecules and colloids, plus complex chemical reactions in both gas and solution phases. The module links with many aspects of biology, medicine, materials science, environmental science and analytical science.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Understand and describe the origins of the Schrödinger equation and the interpretation of the wavefunction for simple chemical systems, e.g. calculate HOMO-LUMO absorption wavelengths using the free-electron model
2. Give the physical interpretation of the quantum numbers n, l and ml for the hydrogen atom, using the vector model of the atom, the radial distribution function and the boundary-surface representation of atomic orbitals
3 .Describe the evidence for electron spin and the origin of the spin quantum numbers s and ms
4. Explain and use (Slater determinants) the orbital approximation for many-electron atoms, including the role of the exclusion principle and wavefunction symmetry
5. Discuss the representation of molecular orbitals as linear combinations of atomic orbitals
6. Understand and explain the difference between rotational, vibrational and electronic energy levels of molecules and how spectroscopy is the study of the allowed transitions between them
7. Outline the principles of infrared, Raman and electronic spectroscopies
8. Interpret IR and Raman spectra of biomedical samples

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge93.

9. Demonstrate and apply a knowledge and understanding of physical chemistry
10. Describe and apply essential facts and theories in the sub-discipline of chemistry
11. Describe and begin to evaluate aspects of current research in chemistry and chemistry-related areas (e.g. climate change, functional materials and medicine) with reference to textbooks and other literature sources

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

12. Communicate ideas effectively and professionally by written means
13. Participate effectively and professionally in discussion of scientific ideas
14. Interact effectively in a group
15. With some guidance, begin to develop the skills for independent study
16. With some guidance, select and properly manage information drawn from books and other literature sources

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
  1. The origins of the Schrodinger equation and the interpretation of the wavefunction for simple chemical systems.
  2. The quantum mechanics of the hydrogen atom – atomic orbitals.
  3. Electron spin and many-electron atoms.
  4. Molecular orbital theory.
  5. Molecular energy levels (electronic, vibrational and rotational), transitions and selection rules.
  6. Experimental methods in spectroscopy.
  7. Rotational spectroscopy.
  8. IR absorption and Raman scattering spectroscopy.
  9. Elements of electronic spectroscopy; lasers; intermolecular interactions.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 38.00 Guided Independent Study 112.00 Placement / Study Abroad 0.00
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching 22 Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching 12 Workshop sessions (4 x 3 hours)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching 4 Tutorials (4 x 1 hour)
Guided Independent Study 52 Guided reading of scientific literature and textbook references, plus revision.
Guided Independent Study 20 Preparation for workshops and tutorials
Guided Independent Study 40 Completion of continuous assessments

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Lecturer feedback during workshops 4 x 3 hour workshops All Oral
Lecturer feedback during tutorials 4 x 1 hour tutorials All Oral
Feedback via ELE Forum ad hoc All Written
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 40 Written Exams 60 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Examination 60 2 hours 1-10, 12 Written via tutor
Continuous assessment 1 10 1500 words 1-4, 9-12 Written
Continuous assessment 2 10 1500 words 1-4, 9-12 Written
Continuous assessment 3 10 1500 words 5, 6, 9-12 Written
Continuous assessment 4 10 1500 words 7, 8, 9-12 Written

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Examination Examination 1-10, 12 August Ref/Def
Continuous assessment 1 Examination 1-10, 12 August Ref/Def
Continuous assessment 2 Examination 1-10, 12 August Ref/Def
Continuous assessment 3 Examination 1-10, 12 August Ref/Def
Continuous assessment 4 Examination 1-10, 12 August Ref/Def

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment, you will be expected to complete relevant deferred assessments as determined by the Natural Sciences Mitigation Committee. If there are valid reasons why you cannot submit one or more of the original summative assessments, your assessment mark may be set aside or substituted by proxy mark as agreed by the Mitigation Committee and as described in the Mitigation section of the Assessment Handbook. The mark given for re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. This examination covers the same ILOs as all the original summative assessments. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

P.W. Atkins and J de Paula, “Atkins’ Physical Chemistry”, 9th Edition, Oxford University Press, 2009.

C.N. Banwell and E.M. McCash, “Fundamentals of Molecular Spectroscopy”, McGraw-Hill, 1994.

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Other Resources:

Primary literature

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES NSC1003
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 5 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Wednesday 11 November 2015 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 15 September 2016
KEY WORDS SEARCH Physical Chemistry, quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, macromolecules, colloids, kinetics