Unit information: Advanced Computational & Interdisciplinary Chemistry for Chemical Physicists in 2019/20

Unit name	Advanced Computational & Interdisciplinary Chemistry for Chemical Physicists
Unit code	CHEM30017
Credit points	10
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Fermin
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	CHEM20370, CHEM20190, CHEM20220
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Chemistry
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This course covers a range of disciplines that do not fall into traditional sectional divisions, including subjects that span the breadth of chemistry, intersect other disciplines (e.g. geochemistry, biochemistry) and highlight how chemistry underpins a wide range of modern science. The unit focuses on computational chemistry with an emphasis on modelling and on global biogeochemical cycles. The overall structure will comprise an initial module focussing on computational chemistry, representing one of the major tools/techniques that spans the discipline (and beyond) and is essential to addressing major scientific challenges.

This unit aims to provide a widening knowledge of interdisciplinary chemistry, which is appropriate for a BSc student and will enable progress to even more advanced aspects in a variety of areas of chemistry. This unit aims to develop (i) a deeper understanding of analytical techniques; (ii) an ability to reason through processes and interactions in complex environmental systems; and (iii) an understanding of how chemistry underpins a wide range of other disciplines and its role in addressing major societal challenges.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Recognise the role of computational modelling in modern chemistry
• Explain the way that quantum mechanics provides the theoretical basis for many key concepts in chemistry
• Describe human impacts on the Earth's atmosphere, e.g. measurement of key species (analytical/spectroscopic), ideas about reactivity and lifetimes (kinetics, physical organic chemistry) and analysis of complex systems (thermodynamics, construction of simple models)

Teaching Information

The unit comprises lectures and workshops.

Assessment Information

Assessment will be based on 90 minutes of written examination.

Reading and References

Recommended reading:

Atmospheric Change: An Earth System Perspective (Graedel, T. E.; Crutzen, Paul J.) Freeman, W. H., 1993. ISBN-10: 0716723328 (currently 2 copies in Chemistry library and 2 copies in Wills Memorial library)

Molecular Biology of the Cell (Alberts et al) Garland Science, 2007. ISBN-10: 0815341059 (currently 6 copies in Biological Sciences library, 31 copies in Medical library and 1 copy in Veterinary Sciences library)

The Earth System, 3rd Edition (Kump, Kasting and Crane) Prentice Hall, 2009. ISBN-10: 0321597796 (currently 4 copies in Geographical Sciences library and 9 copies in Wills Memorial library)

Molecular Quantum Mechanics, P. W. Atkins and R. S. Friedman, OUP, 2011 (currently 6 copies in Chemistry library)