Overview
Fundamental physical chemistry and its application to chemical processes. Includes spectroscopy; quantum mechanics; and thermodynamics.
CHEM 201 Physical Chemistry 1 is designed to provide a strong basis in many of the principles underlying chemical structure and reactivity. The focus of the paper is on principles considered to be of fundamental significance in all areas of chemistry.
About this paper
| Paper title | Physical Chemistry 1 |
|---|---|
| Subject | Chemistry |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,243.65 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 111 or CHEM 191 (with a grade of at least B)
- Recommended Preparation
- one of MATH 120, MATH 130 or MATH 140
- Schedule C
- Science
- Eligibility
- A basic knowledge of calculus is highly recommended.
- Contact
- Dr Anna Garden
Tel: 63 3 479 7928
Location: Science II, 5N3
anna.garden@otago.ac.nz - Teaching staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Anna Garden
Lecturers: Professor Keith Gordon
- Paper Structure
The topics covered in CHEM 201 are:
- Structure, bonding, quantum mechanics and spectroscopy
- Developing a basic understanding of the Schröedinger equation, its solutions and atomic and molecular orbitals
- An introduction to computational chemistry
- Developing a basic understanding of vibrational and rotational spectroscopy
- Introduction to methods of obtaining chemical kinetic data
- Using thermodynamics to obtain information about energy transfer, directions of chemical changes and equilibrium conditions in chemical reactions and phase changes
- Teaching Arrangements
There are three lectures, one tutorial and one 4-hour laboratory class each week.
- Textbooks
Recommended: Atkins' Physical Chemistry, P. Atkins and J. De Paula (10th Edition)
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Expectations at the completion of the paper:
- A basic understanding of the physical aspects of chemical systems
- An understanding of basic elements of molecular spectroscopy, quantum mechanics, kinetics and thermodynamics and the skill to use the basic equations in these topics
- Self-confidence in laboratory skills and problem solving via a laboratory course that complements the lecture course
- The ability to analyse rigorously and communicate results in appropriate formats
- An understanding of how chemical knowledge is applied in a practical, problem-solving context
- Students who are majoring in chemistry will have acquired knowledge and skills that will enable them to proceed to 300- and 400-level papers in chemistry
- Students not majoring in chemistry will have acquired knowledge of many of the physical principles of chemistry and experimental skills that will serve them well in many areas of science