Physical Chemistry IIIA

Subject CHEM30001 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Year Long, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Lectures and practical work

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Three 1-hour lectures per week for 4 weeks (semester 1); one 1-hour tutorial per week for 4 weeks (semester 1); Three 1-hour lectures per week for 4 weeks and up to four 1-hour tutorials (semester 2); 7-hours of practical class per week for 4 weeks (semester 1). Total 60 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours
Prerequisites: One of
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Or

  • 610-210 Light, Matter & Chemical Change A (prior to 2009)

Or both of

  • 610-211 Light, Matter & Chemical Change B (prior to 2009)
  • 610-215 Physical Chemistry Practical (prior to 2009)
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: Credit cannot be gained for this subject and any of
Subject

An additional non-allowed subject combination normally exists between this subject and 610-354 Specialised Topics in Chemistry A. However enrolment in both 610-354 Specialised Topics in Chemistry A (with a restricted choice of topics) and this subject, may be approved by the subject coordinator.
Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Uta Wille

Contact

Director of Third Year Studies

Email: third-year-director@chemistry.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

The subject includes lecture and practical components.

Upon completion of this subject, students should have an understanding of quantum theory (wave equations, tunnelling processes, vibrational and rotational motions, and quantum effects in extended systems), statistical mechanics (Boltzmann distributions and partition functions), molecular interactions (electric dipole moments and dipole interactions, electrostatic and dispersion forces, H-bonding, hydrophobic, repulsive and attractive interactions, interactions and the liquid-vapour interface) and kinetics (collision theory, elementary reactions, steady-state approximation, reaction rates, kinetic motion in gases, molecular motion in liquids, diffusion, catalysis, enzyme kinetics, chain reactions). They should have an understanding of colloidal phenomena and how they are dictated by surface interactions. The practical component of this subject will consist of a number of experiments involving the physical and instrumental investigations of important chemical systems and phenomena.
Objectives: Refer to Overview.
Assessment:

Ongoing assessment of practical work in the form of six short (ca 1-2 hours) and one long (ca. 3-4 hours) reports due during semester 1 (30%), two to three short tests each of duration of less than 1 hour conducted on-line during the semester using the learning management system (LMS) for a total of 10 %, one 1-hour exam at the end of semester 1 and one 45-min exam at the end of semester 2 (60% for both written exams). Satisfactory completion of both theory and practical work is necessary to pass the subject.
Prescribed Texts:

P Atkins and J De Paula, Atkins’ Physical Chemistry, 8th Ed, Oxford University Press, 2006.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

At the completion of this subject students should develop the following generic skills:

  • the ability to comprehend complex concepts and effectively communicate this understanding to the scientific community and in a manner accessible to the wider community;
  • the ability to analyse and solve abstract technical problems;
  • the ability to connect and apply the learnt concepts to a broad range of scientific problems beyond the scope of this subject;
  • an awareness of advanced technologies;
  • the ability to think and reason logically;
  • the ability to think critically and independently.
Notes:

This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 degree), BASc or a combined BSc course.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Chemistry

Download PDF version.