Chemistry 221

Fall 2016

Syllabus
 Michael Topp

Room 249 - Main Chemistry Building - 8-4859 - mrt@sas.upenn.edu

Course Information

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Textbook: Physical Chemistry - A Molecular Approach
- McQuarrie & Simon

Syllabus follows the Chapter order in the textbook

Chapter 1 - Dawn of Quantum Theory
(Chapter 2 - Classical Wave Equation)
Chapter 3 - Schrodinger Equation and Particle in a Box
Chapter 4 - Postulates of Quantum Mechanics
Chapter 5 - Harmonic Oscillator & Rigid Rotor
Chapter 6 - The Hydrogen Atom
Chapter 7 - Approximation Methods
Chapter 8 Multi-electron Atoms
Chapter 9 - Chemical Bond
Chapter 10 - Bonding in Polyatomic Molecules
Chapter 11 - Computational Quantum Chemistry Exact coverage of the
Chapter 12 - Group Theory last few chapters
Chapter 13 - Molecular Spectroscopy depends on time
Chapter 14 - NMR Spectroscopy available. TBA.
Chapter 15 - Lasers, Laser Spectroscopy and Photochemistry
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Examination Dates (tentative) - Sep 26 (Mon), Oct 24 (Mon), Nov 21 (Mon), Final
Dec 22 (Thurs). All exams except final held at 10 am in the normal classroom.
Final exam location TBA.

Homework Problems - Discussion questions, numerical exercises and problems

from McQuarrie & Simon will correspond to those in the Problems & Solutions
manual. Initially, we do not plan to grade homework this may change. However,
homework material will be reviewed by the TA as needed, in recitation or office
hours.

Assessment - 4 hours of examinations, including three 1-hour tests each worth

100 points and one 2-hour final worth 200 points. We drop either the lowest mid-
term score or half of the final exam.

Makeup examinations are discouraged, and will only be offered to students who
miss the test due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances.
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 Office Hours: MRT Mon 3-5, Thursday 3-5, or as arranged via email.
TAs are Tori Barber and Connor Woods.
TA office hours and location - TBA

Web Page Canvas:

http://www.library.upenn.edu/courseware/canvas/canvaslogin.html

I will post lecture notes ahead of time in PDF format. Many students like to
bring copies to lecture.

Monitor the announcements section for other information, including

homework and other postings.

Samples of old exams will be posted.

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