CH4P1: Advanced Physical Chemistry

Module Provider:

School of Chemistry

Number of credits:

10 [5 ECTS credits]

Level:

M (Masters)

Terms in which taught:

Autumn

Module Convenor:

Prof MGB Drew

Pre-requisites:

CH3P1

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

Current from:

2005/6

Aims:
To provide students with: a basic understanding of the chemistry of the polluted and unpolluted atmosphere; further understanding of spectroscopy; a basic understanding of the physical and chemical basis of biological processes;

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students should be able to: describe the chemistry of the clean troposphere and stratosphere and how the two regions interact; describe the effect that Man has on the chemistry of the atmosphere; answer simple quantitative questions about atmospheric chemistry; explain qualitatively and quantitatively how absorbed radiation is dissipated and account in particular for its chemical consequences; be able to apply physical chemistry to biochemical problems; understand advanced spectroscopic methods;

Additional outcomes:
Students will improve their IT skills.

Outline content:
R J Green (10) Biophysical Chemistry
Application of Physical Chemistry to Biochemical problems. Exploration of the physical and chemical basis of biological processes; topics will include chemical kinetics and enzymes, membrane potentials; thermodynamics of protein folding
G Marston (5) Atmospheric Chemistry
This course begins by considering the interactions between that atmosphere and the rest of the Earth system, moving on to the chemistry of the unpolluted atmosphere. The chemistries of the individual regions of the atmosphere are discussed in separate lectures, but emphasis is placed on understanding how these regions interact. Man's impact on the atmosphere is described and it is shown that the chemistry of the polluted atmosphere is often a grotesque distortion of natural atrnospheric chemistry.
P. Hollins (5) Advanced Spectroscopy
Potential energy curves for diatomic molecules. Term symbols for diatomic molecules. Selection rules. The Franck Condon principle. Dissociation energies. Birge-Spooner extrapolation. Ro-vibronic transitions. Selection rules. P(Q)R structure of bands. Band heads

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Twenty one-hour lectures backed up with three tutorials.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
Students will attend tutorials and workshops on the material covered in this module. Attendance is compulsory at both but only the former will contribute to the assessment of this unit.
Relative percentage of coursework: Written work 5 %
Examinations
One one-hour written paper.
Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall.
Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination will take place in the September following final examinations, for the examinable component only, when a student has failed the programme overall.