Physical Chemistry Courses

Physical Chemistry Courses

For an official description of the courses below, the reader is referred to the current

University of Colorado at Boulder Catalog. The following descriptions are more informal

and are intended to supplement the catalog in helping students choose courses.

CHEM 4411-3. Physical Chemistry with Biochemistry Applications 1

This class covers thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. It parallels the traditional physical chemistry course CHEM 4511, covering the same general topics but choosing examples from biochemistry to illustrate them. Either class satisfies the first half of the physical chemistry lecture requirement for either a biochemistry or a chemistry major. The prerequisites include three semesters of calculus and at least one semester of physics, preferably two, and at least one semester of organic chemistry. Taught in the fall semester only.

CHEM 4431-3. Physical Chemistry with Biochemistry Applications 2

This class is a follow-up to CHEM 4411, taught in the spring semester. It covers quantum chemistry and statistical thermodynamics. It parallels the traditional physical chemistry course CHEM 4531, covering the same general topics but choosing examples from biochemistry to illustrate them. Either class satisfies the second half of the physical chemistry lecture requirement for either a biochemistry or a chemistry major. The prerequisite is either CHEM 4411 or 4511.

CHEM 4511-3. Physcal Chemistry 1

This class covers thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. It is parallel to CHEM 4411, but does not emphasize applications to biochemistry. It is taught each semester and normally in the summer. It satisfies the first half of the requirement for physical chemistry lecture for either a chemistry or a biochemistry major, and is also required for chemical engineers. The prerequisites include three semesters of calculus and at least one semester of physics, preferably two, and at least one semester of organic chemistry.

CHEM 4531-3. Physcal Chemistry 2

This is the follow-up to CHEM 4511, and is also taught each semester and normally in the summer. It covers quantum chemistry and statistical thermodynamics. It completes the requirement for physical chemistry lecture for a chemistry or a biochemistry major. The prerequisite is either CHEM 4511 or 4411.

CHEM 4541-2. Physical Chemistry Laboratory

One lecture and one three-hour lab each week. This course is intended for students of chemical engineering, and should not be taken by chemistry or biochemistry majors. Taught in the fall and spring semesters.

CHEM 4551-3. Advanced Physical Chemistry

CHEM 4561-3. Experimental Physical Chemistry

One lecture and two three-hour labs per week. This is the physical chemistry lab course required for a chemistry major. (The biochemistry major does not require physical chemistry lab.) CHEM 4531 or 4431 must be taken either before or concurrently with 4561. Taught in the fall and spring semesters.

CHEM 4901- (1-6). Independent Study in Chemistry and Biochemistry

This is a variable credit course and may be taken for one to six hours of credit. It is a controlled enrollment class, and prior arrangements must be made with a faculty mentor and the department before a student may enroll. It is highly recommended for students with a good record.

CHEM 5321-3. Advanced Physical Organic Chemistry

Modern concepts of physical organic chemistry and their use in interpreting data in terms of mechanisms of organic reactions and reactivities of organic compounds. Required of all organic chemistry graduate students. Prerequisites: one year of organic chemistry and one year of physical chemistry.

CHEM 5411-3. Physical Chemistry with Biochemistry Applications 1

Introduces thermodynamics and kinetics, emphasizing macromolecules and biochemical applications. Intended for biology graduate students. Not open to students in chemistry or other physical sciences. Prerequisites: three semesters of calculus, one year of physics, and instructor consent or graduate standing. Same as CHEM 4411. Students may receive credit for only one of CHEM 5411, 4411, and 4 511.

Chem 5431-3. Physical Chemistry with Biochemistry Applications 2

Principles of physical chemistry (second semester) for graduate students in biology. Not open to students of chemistry or the physical sciences. Prerequisites: graduate standing and CHEM 5411, or instructor consent. Same as CHEM 4431. Students may receive credit for only one of CHEM 5431, 4431, and 4531.

Chem 5541-3. Chemical Dynamics

Discussion of mechanism and rate of chemical reactions from a fundamental point of view. Discusses nature of collision and develops concepts of cross section and rate constant. Theories of elementary bimolecular and decay processes are critically examined. Prerequisites: undergraduate physical chemistry.

Chem 5551-3. Mathematical Methods of Chemistry

Develops and applies a variety of mathematical techniques important in physical chemistry. Topics include complex analysis, ordinary and partial differential equations, integral transforms, and some numerical analysis. Prerequisites: undergraduate physical chemistry.

Chem 5561-3. Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules

Discusses physical techniques used to determine the structure, function, and dynamics of macromolecules. Topics covered include Fourier analysis, optical spectroscopy, NMR and diffraction. Previous exposure to quantum mechanics is assumed. Prerequisites: one semester of physical chemistry.

Chem 5571-3. Surface Science

Principles of surface science with emphasis on fundamental surface phenomena, surface techniques, and surface chemistry. Basic description of surfaces, adsorbate-surface interactions, surface kinetics and methods of surface analysis. Surface science of interactions, surface kinetics, and methods of surface analysis. Surface science of heterogeneous catalysis, semiconductor processing, and environmental interfaces. Prerequisites: undergraduate physical chemistry and graduate standing or instructor consent.

Chem 5581-3. Introductory Quantum Chemistry

Basic principles and techniques of quantum mechanics with applications to questions of chemical interest. Quantum dynamics of atoms, molecules, and spins; electronic structure of atoms and molecules. Prerequisites: two semesters of physical chemistry and graduate standing, or instructor consent.

Chem 5591-3. Advanced Molecular Sprectroscopy

Rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectra of molecules, and their interpretation in terms of the quantum theory of molecular structure. Prerequisites: two semesters of physical chemistry and graduate standing, or instructor consent.



				Physical Chemistry Courses For an official description of the courses below, the reader is referred to the current University of Colorado at Boulder Catalog. The following descriptions are more informal and are intended to supplement the catalog in helping students choose courses. CHEM 4411-3. Physical Chemistry with Biochemistry Applications 1 This class covers thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. It parallels the traditional physical chemistry course CHEM 4511, covering the same general topics but choosing examples from biochemistry to illustrate them. Either class satisfies the first half of the physical chemistry lecture requirement for either a biochemistry or a chemistry major. The prerequisites include three semesters of calculus and at least one semester of physics, preferably two, and at least one semester of organic chemistry. Taught in the fall semester only. CHEM 4431-3. Physical Chemistry with Biochemistry Applications 2 This class is a follow-up to CHEM 4411, taught in the spring semester. It covers quantum chemistry and statistical thermodynamics. It parallels the traditional physical chemistry course CHEM 4531, covering the same general topics but choosing examples from biochemistry to illustrate them. Either class satisfies the second half of the physical chemistry lecture requirement for either a biochemistry or a chemistry major. The prerequisite is either CHEM 4411 or 4511. CHEM 4511-3. Physcal Chemistry 1 This class covers thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. It is parallel to CHEM 4411, but does not emphasize applications to biochemistry. It is taught each semester and normally in the summer. It satisfies the first half of the requirement for physical chemistry lecture for either a chemistry or a biochemistry major, and is also required for chemical engineers. The prerequisites include three semesters of calculus and at least one semester of physics, preferably two, and at least one semester of organic chemistry. CHEM 4531-3. Physcal Chemistry 2 This is the follow-up to CHEM 4511, and is also taught each semester and normally in the summer. It covers quantum chemistry and statistical thermodynamics. It completes the requirement for physical chemistry lecture for a chemistry or a biochemistry major. The prerequisite is either CHEM 4511 or 4411. CHEM 4541-2. Physical Chemistry Laboratory One lecture and one three-hour lab each week. This course is intended for students of chemical engineering, and should not be taken by chemistry or biochemistry majors. Taught in the fall and spring semesters. CHEM 4551-3. Advanced Physical Chemistry CHEM 4561-3. Experimental Physical Chemistry One lecture and two three-hour labs per week. This is the physical chemistry lab course required for a chemistry major. (The biochemistry major does not require physical chemistry lab.) CHEM 4531 or 4431 must be taken either before or concurrently with 4561. Taught in the fall and spring semesters. CHEM 4901- (1-6). Independent Study in Chemistry and Biochemistry This is a variable credit course and may be taken for one to six hours of credit. It is a controlled enrollment class, and prior arrangements must be made with a faculty mentor and the department before a student may enroll. It is highly recommended for students with a good record. CHEM 5321-3. Advanced Physical Organic Chemistry Modern concepts of physical organic chemistry and their use in interpreting data in terms of mechanisms of organic reactions and reactivities of organic compounds. Required of all organic chemistry graduate students. Prerequisites: one year of organic chemistry and one year of physical chemistry. CHEM 5411-3. Physical Chemistry with Biochemistry Applications 1 Introduces thermodynamics and kinetics, emphasizing macromolecules and biochemical applications. Intended for biology graduate students. Not open to students in chemistry or other physical sciences. Prerequisites: three semesters of calculus, one year of physics, and instructor consent or graduate standing. Same as CHEM 4411. Students may receive credit for only one of CHEM 5411, 4411, and 4 511. Chem 5431-3. Physical Chemistry with Biochemistry Applications 2 Principles of physical chemistry (second semester) for graduate students in biology. Not open to students of chemistry or the physical sciences. Prerequisites: graduate standing and CHEM 5411, or instructor consent. Same as CHEM 4431. Students may receive credit for only one of CHEM 5431, 4431, and 4531. Chem 5541-3. Chemical Dynamics Discussion of mechanism and rate of chemical reactions from a fundamental point of view. Discusses nature of collision and develops concepts of cross section and rate constant. Theories of elementary bimolecular and decay processes are critically examined. Prerequisites: undergraduate physical chemistry. Chem 5551-3. Mathematical Methods of Chemistry Develops and applies a variety of mathematical techniques important in physical chemistry. Topics include complex analysis, ordinary and partial differential equations, integral transforms, and some numerical analysis. Prerequisites: undergraduate physical chemistry. Chem 5561-3. Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules Discusses physical techniques used to determine the structure, function, and dynamics of macromolecules. Topics covered include Fourier analysis, optical spectroscopy, NMR and diffraction. Previous exposure to quantum mechanics is assumed. Prerequisites: one semester of physical chemistry. Chem 5571-3. Surface Science Principles of surface science with emphasis on fundamental surface phenomena, surface techniques, and surface chemistry. Basic description of surfaces, adsorbate-surface interactions, surface kinetics and methods of surface analysis. Surface science of interactions, surface kinetics, and methods of surface analysis. Surface science of heterogeneous catalysis, semiconductor processing, and environmental interfaces. Prerequisites: undergraduate physical chemistry and graduate standing or instructor consent. Chem 5581-3. Introductory Quantum Chemistry Basic principles and techniques of quantum mechanics with applications to questions of chemical interest. Quantum dynamics of atoms, molecules, and spins; electronic structure of atoms and molecules. Prerequisites: two semesters of physical chemistry and graduate standing, or instructor consent. Chem 5591-3. Advanced Molecular Sprectroscopy Rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectra of molecules, and their interpretation in terms of the quantum theory of molecular structure. Prerequisites: two semesters of physical chemistry and graduate standing, or instructor consent.