This course develops a quantitative description of physical, chemical and some biological processes and properties, and treats the following subjects: quantum chemistry, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Quantum chemistry strives to explain chemical bonding and molecular geometry using the quantum-mechanical concept of wave functions and energy levels derived from the Schrödinger equation. While the first and second laws of thermodynamics can be used to predict the occurrence of macroscopic processes, statistical mechanics provides the link with microscopic models of matter. This sometimes requires the concept of discrete energy levels introduced in quantum mechanics, but also provides a description for the importance of thermal energy in mesoscopic or biological systems.

 

Format
The course covers 200 hours. Topics are introduced by the teacher(s), but also require self-study. Part of class time is available for working on selected problems related to the contents of the lectures and the textbook (for which the use of the computer program Mathematica may be helpful). Solutions to selected problems must be handed in regularly. Students work in couples an essay and presentation on a selected topic and present it to their colleagues and the teacher.