Code: | Q4011 | Acronym: | Q4011 | Level: | 400 |
Keywords | |
---|---|
Classification | Keyword |
OFICIAL | Chemistry |
Active? | Yes |
Responsible unit: | Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry |
Course/CS Responsible: | Master in Chemistry |
Acronym | No. of Students | Study Plan | Curricular Years | Credits UCN | Credits ECTS | Contact hours | Total Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M:A_ASTR | 0 | Study plan since academic year 2023/2024 | 1 | - | 6 | 42 | 162 |
2 | |||||||
M:CTN | 0 | Official Study Plan since 2020_M:CTN | 1 | - | 6 | 42 | 162 |
2 | |||||||
M:Q | 19 | Study plan since academic year 2023/2024 | 1 | - | 6 | 42 | 162 |
The main goal of this subject is to resort to the basic tools of Theoretical-Computational Chemistry for solving real problems that arise in chemistry and that may be useful to any chemist, physicist or astronomer.
Basically, the following problems will be dealt with:
1. Calculation of Thermodynamic Properties
2. Study of Mechanisms of Chemical Reactions
3. Simulation of Infrared Spectra
In general, the expected learning outcomes & skills to be developed within this subject are that students strengthen their theoretical foundations, especially in Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Thermodynamics, and learn various techniques applied to computational chemistry, thus envisaging a future teaching/research in the field of Theoretical-Computational Chemistry.
Knowledge of chemistry and physical concepts obtained in the UCs of the Bachelor graduation
1. Motivation
2. Essencial Concepts of Quantum Mechanics (Revisions)
3. Approximate Methods
3.1. Ab initio methods, pseudo-potential methods and semi-empirical methods
3.2. Post−Hartree−Fock methods
3.3. Density functional theory
4. Statistical Thermodynamics (ST)
4.1. Basic concepts
4.2. Theoretical distributions ST
4.3. Ideal Gases
4.4. Diluted solutions
4.5. Ideal Solids
5. Theoretical Modelling of Chemical Reactions
5.1. Chemical equilibria in gas phase and in solution
5.2. Mechanisms of chemical reactions (thermal and photochemistry)
6. Infrared Spectra (IR)
6.1. Theoretical simulation of IR spectra
6.2. Applications (Greenhouse effect; Heterogeneous catalysis; nanomaterials)
7. Molecular Symmetry
7.1. Group theory
7.2. Applications
Theoretical presentation of conventional materials illustrating, whenever possible, with practical/technological applications. Resolution of exercises with opportunities to discuss solutions.
The practical classes have a maximum of 20 students divide into ~10 working groups. Classes will be held in a dedicated room equipped with 20 Dual/Intel computers on Linux environment and connected to the Internet, plus a projector and a blackboard. Learning takes place according to a PBL (problem-based learning) paradigm in which students are confronted with a series of problems during the execution of the several projects whose resolution requires knowledge of the underlying theoretical foundations. The teacher will moderate discussions between the working groups and, when necessary for the development of projects, will give a brief demonstration of the theoretical or computational work to be performed in the lab.
Each working group should perform at least three of the practical projects, taking notes of the results, towards preparing the oral presentation of one of the projects (chosen by the group). The oral presentations will take place in the last classe(s) of the semester and will have a maximum duration of 15 minutes, with equal time to both elements of the group. Later, each studentn is followed by a short period of questions from the audience, and is scored by the students and the teacher.
designation | Weight (%) |
---|---|
Exame | 50,00 |
Prova oral | 30,00 |
Teste | 10,00 |
Trabalho prático ou de projeto | 10,00 |
Total: | 100,00 |
designation | Time (hours) |
---|---|
Estudo autónomo | 120,00 |
Frequência das aulas | 42,00 |
Total: | 162,00 |
Eligibility is guaranteed by the following rules for the students:
1 – They should not exceed 1 / 4 of the practical classes envisaged.
2 – They should perform at least three of the five proposed computational projects.
The final grade is a weighted average of two components:
Practical Component - Continuous assessment (50%), gathered by:
(i) Oral presentation (30%)
(ii) Mini-test (resolution of exercises) - (10%)
(iii) Evaluation of programming component - (10%)
Theoretical Component - Final exam (50%)
At the second evaluation, the students can improve the theoretical component.
(The average will be corrected only if the new calculation of the score will lead to a higher value)
Not applicable
Working students and association leaders may opt for a practical assessment alternative that consists of making a practical work to be randomly chosen among those held during the semester and prepare its report.
Improvement of the classification in the academic year in which the student is attending the course can be made as described in the Final Grade Calculation. If the student wishes to improve the grade in the following academic year, it will have to make the theoretical exam. The grade of the practical component cannot be improved.