- Offered for Year: 2019/20
- Module Leader(s): Dr Ben Horrocks
- Lecturer: Dr Fabio Cucinotta, Dr Daniel Cole
- Practical Supervisor: Dr Cristina Navarro Reguero
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
|
Semester 1 Credit Value:
|
30
|
|
ECTS Credits:
|
15.0
|
Aims
To explain the energetic and dynamics of chemical reactions in terms of detailed molecular behaviour; to provide an understanding of chemical nanoscience, and to review selected advanced experimental techniques. To practise and develop skills in molecular modelling.
To practise and develop skills in practical physical chemistry.
Outline Of Syllabus
Energetics and Dynamics
Dr F Cucinotta
1 Molecular photophysics
2 Potential energy surfaces
3 Radiative decay
4 Nonradiative processes
5 Energy-gap law
6 Isomerisation
7-8 Energy transfer
9 Spin restriction
10-11 Marcus theory
12 Revision seminar
Molecular Modelling
Dr D Cole
1 Introduction to molecular modelling.
2-3 Quantum concepts, basis functions
4 Ab initio quantum chemistry: Hartree-Fock and density functional theory
5 Applications of ab initio quantum chemistry
6-7 Molecular mechanics and applications
8 Revision seminar
Chemical Nanoscience
Dr BR Horrocks
1 Introduction to Chemical Nanoscience
2-3 Electronic structure of solids – tight binding and nearly-free electrons
4-6 Nanoparticles and Quantum dots – properties and synthesis
7 Applications of nanoparticles
8 Conductance in solids
9-10 Nanowires – properties and synthesis
11 Electron and probe microscopy
12 Revision session
Physical Chemistry Laboratory Course
Dr C Navarro-Reguero
Each student pair is assigned four experiments from the following list:
1. Computational chemistry
2. A conductive polymer: polypyrrole
3. Phosphorescence and delayed fluorescence
4. A dye-based photovoltaic cell
5. Fluorescence titration of DNA
6. Alkaline hydrolysis of esters – a second order reaction
7. Determination of calcium using a potentiometric sensor
8. Infra-red spectroscopy of porous silicon
9. Investigation of the visible spectra of metal nanoparticles
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category |
Activity |
Number |
Length |
Student Hours |
Comment |
|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | End of semester examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 32 | 1:00 | 32:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 3 | 5:00 | 15:00 | Writing up dry lab reports |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 4 | 6:00 | 24:00 | Writing practical reports |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 32 | 0:50 | 26:40 | Revision for end of semester examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | 3x3h Dry labs take place over 3 weeks |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 5 | 10:00 | 50:00 | 5x10h Practical sessions take place over 5 weeks |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 141:20 | 141:20 | Background reading and practice past paper examination questions |
| Total | | | | 300:00 | |
Jointly Taught With
| Code |
Title |
|---|
| CHY3201 | Advanced Physical Chemistry |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students acquire knowledge and understanding through lectures, drylabs and seminars (timetabled in lecture slots). They learn to plan and organise their work by way of seminars while the lectures provide the necessary opportunity to practice note-taking. In practical classes competencies in practical procedures, observation, record-keeping, data handling, analysis and report writing, will be taught and learnt.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description |
Length |
Semester |
When Set |
Percentage |
Comment |
|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 50 | N/A |
Exam Pairings
| Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Comment |
|---|
| CHY3201 | Advanced Physical Chemistry | 1 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description |
Semester |
When Set |
Percentage |
Comment |
|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 25 | composed of several individual laboratory reports as specified in the practical course handbook |
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 25 | Class test on dry labs |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The examination will test the student's knowledge and understanding of the principles of physical chemistry.
The modelling component is examined by practical write-ups and the knowledge outcomes by unseen class test (45 min).
The laboratory component practical involves the assessment of a complex selection of skills learnt in about 4 experiments per student, spread over the major areas of inorganic chemistry.
Study Abroad students may request to take their exam before the semester 1 exam period, in which case the format of the paper may differ from that shown in the MOF. Study Abroad students should contact the school to discuss this.
Reading Lists
Timetable
