Course Syllabus

Physical chemistry is likely the most fundamental course in your curriculum, and for this reason, it is the most exciting.  Rather than accepting that chemistry “just happens,” physical chemistry provides an explanation and the possibility of prediction.  Physical chemistry is also, historically, the most dreaded course in your curriculum.  This difficulty is not by design.  I hope that all of you succeed and enjoy the wonderful world of quantum mechanics.  However, this course marks a distinct shift in your scientific education.  First, it is much more mathematical than any chemistry course that you have taken to date.  We will use algebra, calculus, vectors, differential equations, and matrix algebra, and all of these techniques will provide rather abstract representations of chemical systems.  Furthermore, quantum mechanics makes a sharp departure from classical notions.  This lack of intuition means that we must rely on the mathematics, which doubles the difficulty.  Therefore, this course will focus on both the conceptual and mathematical sides and attempt to help you connect the two.

The rewards for developing an understanding of quantum mechanics are great.  Quantum mechanics allows questions to be answered that simply cannot be answered in any other way.  Questions like: Why is the bond in N₂ stronger than in O₂? and Why do two hydrogen atoms bond to form a molecule at all?  Quantum mechanics is the underlying theory that quantitatively explains all of chemistry.  Powerful stuff!

This class is an upper-division course, and it is probably one of the most demanding of the chemistry courses that you will encounter.  I expect your effort to match these demands.  I expect you to be able to recall material from previous courses and use this information to solve physical chemistry problems.  I expect you to internalize the material and be able to apply it to problems not covered in homework assignments.  Exam questions may be different from the homework, lectures, and from the textbook.  This design is not intended to trick you or set you up for failure.  It is intended to test your ability to apply quantum chemistry principles to new situations, which is the ultimate aim of this course.  We will practice such exercises throughout the semester.  Some tips for success…

     -My lectures are for you, not to hear myself talk.  Listen to them!  I will provide information that goes beyond the textbook and will teach you how to think about physical chemistry problems.

     -Physical chemistry is a team sport.  Do homework in groups by setting up Zoom meetings, seek help from your colleagues, and provide help to them when they ask.  Teaching can be as much of a learning experience as asking.  When you write up your answers, however, make sure that YOU are working through the problem yourself.

     -If you need help, get help.  I am available, your TA is available, and you have many intelligent classmates.  Take advantage of these resources.

    -Your textbook and my notes are helpful but are not the only source.  If the explanation does not make sense to you, seek out other texts at the library or find internet sources.  My lecture notes are very detailed, and these are your best guide to what I expect you to know in the course.

     -Finally, the onus is on you to succeed in this course.  Your success is dictated by your effort and ambition, not your professor, not your TA, not your textbook.   I will provide all of the necessary tools for you to succeed; it is up to you to make use of them.

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand the limitations of classical mechanics at molecular length scales, the difference between classical and quantum mechanics, and how to connect quantum mechanical operators to observable quantities.
• Distinguish probabilities, amplitudes, averages, expectation values, and observables
• Understand how molecular phenomena can be related to model problems
• Understand how to interpret atomic and molecular spectra
• Understand common approximation methods for standard chemical frameworks (Born-Oppenheimer approximation, molecular orbital approximation, for example)
• Develop molecular-level critical thinking skills

Materials used in this course are:

• I plan to hold office hours over Zoom, so more students can participate.  For this reason, I think that a webcam & microphone will be needed.  The exams will also probably be given via Canvas, so the ability to scan written work into PDF format will be necessary for the course. You should ensure you have these resources ahead of time as they will likely be needed to complete assignments and activities throughout the course.
• Textbook: Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach (McQuarrie & Simon, University Science Books, 1997, ISBN 9780935702996).  You can shop for the book and purchase a print copy, a print rental, or an eBook rental at the University of Utah bookstore.  [This is the recommended text, but I will teach from my notes, which I’ll make available on Canvas.  This book may be useful as a reference, however.]  We will cover material from Chapters 1-15 in this course.  If you take CHEM 3070, you will concentrate on the subsequent chapters of this same text.  Most students find that my lecture notes are sufficient; others find it is really helpful to read another source.
•  My lecture notes (available on Canvas as PDF files) are the most useful reference for this course.  You should study them in depth.  Many students find them to be more helpful than any text book.
• Video recorded versions of my lectures from previous years will be available.  You are strongly encouraged to come to class, though.  My experience is that students who don't come to class don't do well in this course.  This really shouldn't come as a surprise.
• I also highly recommend the YouTube series on Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy and will direct you to appropriate videos as we work through the material for the course.  Here's the link for the whole series: YouTube Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy

• All course materials, such as lecture slides, assignments, solutions, grades, etc. will be posted on the Course Canvas site CHEM 3060 F2023. Class announcements will be done via email through the Canvas server. You will be responsible for any information contained in them as well as the information announced in class.
• It is your responsibility to also regularly check your Umail (make sure you set up forwarding if you do not check it regularly), as your Umail is the only way for me to communicate privately with you. There will be occasions during the semester that I may need to reach out to you individually (e.g. regarding a grade or assignment) and it is in your best interest to respond promptly.
• Feel free to contact me by email for questions at morse@chem.utah.edu, I will do my best to answer emails promptly; I will try to answer within 12 hours. I would like to encourage you to email me only if it is something personal that requires individual attention.  If instead you have questions about logistics of the class, course material and assignments, and anything else your classmates may wonder as well, please post a question on the Discussion Board (Module 1 Discussion Board) instead. This way the information is shared quickly to the entire class, and each of you can benefit from seeing other classmates’ questions.
• I will always do my best to ensure the communication relevant to the course is clear and transparent, it is your responsibility as well to keep yourself updated by regularly checking: the announcements on Canvas, your Umail, the posts on the Discussion Board, and pay attention to the announcements given in class and Discussion Section.
• Students are expected to log in and check Canvas every day for posted announcements and assignments. Students are also strongly advised to set up notifications for Canvas so they do not miss any important notifications.)Please review the communication methods and requirements for this course:

Preferred Contact Methods

The best way to contact me is to send me a direct email at  morse@chem.utah.edu.  Our teaching assistant, Taylor Ottley, may be reached directly via email at u1212375@utah.edu. 

Office Hours

I (Michael Morse) will hold office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at a time chosen in consultation with the class using Zoom.  No passcode will be required for Michael's office hours on Zoom.  Our teaching assistant, Taylor Ottley, will also hold office hours that will be set up in consultation with the class.

Your performance in this course will be evaluated by:

• Homework and Quizzes given via Zoom - 26%
• Mid-term exam 1, on Friday, September 20 - 16%
• Mid-term exam 2, on Friday, October 25 - 16%
• Mid-term exam 3, on Monday, November 25 - 16%
• Final exam on Thursday, December 12 - 26%

All of the exams will be given using the Quiz facility on Canvas and can be taken at any time that day. Quizzes will also be given on Canvas. Dates are approximate and may be changed slightly as the course progresses.

Absence during exam:  Exams will be administered on predesignated dates (see above).  If you are unable to take the exam for a valid reason (illness, family emergency, etc.), I will require a written note stating the reason.  For example, if you fall ill, please bring  a note from your physician.  I will not allow any makeup exams without a valid excuse.

Exam accommodations:  I honor any requests for accommodations that is accompanied with a note from the Center for Disability Services.  Please email the form to me if you require a signature.  If you feel that you will need accommodations but have not seen been evaluated by CDS, please note that it takes time and you should start the process early.  Do not contact me the week of the exam and say that you need accommodations, but that your appointment is not for another week or two.  I WILL NOT honor any requests that are not accompanied by a note from CDS. 

All quizzes/exams will be conducted online using the Quiz facility in Canvas.  

All assignments, unless otherwise announced, must be submitted to the designated area of Canvas. Do not submit assignments via email.  For many of the homework assignments, it will be best to work out the solutions on paper and then scan the solutions into PDF format for submission.  Make sure the pages are numbered and in proper sequence.  Submission of photographs of your work (JPGs) is unacceptable.

Generally, late assignments will not be accepted unless a previous arrangement has been made with the instructor (Prof. Morse).

Grading scale for this course:

Please note that the percentage score calculated by Canvas does not weight the different types of assignments (see above) properly.  If you wish to get a more accurate assessment of your standing in the class and your likely grade, you will need to download or enter your scores into a spreadsheet and weight them as indicated above.  Typically, the number of points assigned to Homework and Quizzes is greater than their weighting in the course, so Canvas overestimates their contribution to your grade compared to the contribution from exams.  I don't know how to correct for this within Canvas.

Disclaimer

Accommodations will be considered on an individual basis and may require documentation.

Please contact Prof. Morse as soon as possible (preferably shortly before the semester begins) to request accommodations of any kind.

Extreme personal circumstances

Please contact Prof. Morse as soon as possible if an extreme personal circumstance
(hospitalization, death of a close relative, natural disaster, etc.) is interfering with your ability to complete your work.

Religious Practice

To request an accommodation for religious practices, contact Prof. Morse at the beginning of the semester.

Active Duty Military

If you are student on active duty with the military and experience issues that prevent you from participating in the course because of deployment or service responsibilities, contact Prof. Morse as soon as possible to discuss appropriate accommodations.

Disability Access

All written information in this course can be made available in an alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability Services (CDS). CDS will work with you and Prof. Morse to make arrangements for accommodations. Prior notice is appreciated. To read the full accommodations policy for the University of Utah, please see Section Q of the Instruction & Evaluation regulations.

If you will need accommodations in this class, contact:

Center for Disability Services
  801-581-5020
  disability.utah.edu
  162 Union Building
    200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

This syllabus is not a contract. It is meant to serve as an outline and guide for your course. Please note that your instructor may modify it to accommodate the needs of your class.

You will be notified of any changes to the Syllabus.

Though the online format allows students greater flexibility to complete their work, this course does have a structure and timeline! As such, the following is expected of all students in this class:

• Students must be self-motivated, organized, and willing to stay on top of their schedule. Students should take control of their learning while in this course.
• Students are expected to follow the Core Rules of Netiquette at all times while participating in the class and communicating with others.
• Students will log in to the course a minimum of 3 times per week.
• Students are not expected to interact with their classmates in person. Students may be expected to work with classmates via online communication options like Canvas Discussions, video conferencing, or another communication technologies of choice (Groupme, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, etc).
• Students will regularly check for course updates and will update their Canvas notification settings to ensure they receive timely notifications from the course.
• Students will contact their instructor or teaching assistant in a timely manner if they have any questions, are struggling with course materials, or need further assistance from their instructor.
  • If you do not hear back within 3 days after sending a message, please contact your instructor/TA again.
• Students will follow all official University of Utah policies regarding interpersonal conduct, academic dishonesty, and other rights and responsibilities of students outlined in the University of Utah Student Handbook and Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
  • If you have any questions about this, please contact the Dean of Students.

Your course instructor is an expert in the topics you will learn about this semester. Your instructor is your mentor and facilitator of the classroom experience, aided by teaching assistants. Instructors are committed to:

• The instructor will design the course to include lectures, learning materials, and assignments that are accessible and provide students with opportunities to learn and practice course content.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will ensure that the course remains a safe space where students can engage with difficult content thoughtfully and respectfully.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will interact with the class regularly via announcements, virtual office hours (one-on-one video conferencing), emails/the Canvas Inbox, feedback on assignments, and comments on Discussions, among other methods.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will respond to students in a timely manner: within 48 hours, not including weekends and holidays.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will be available for individual consultation via virtual office hours (one-on-one video conferencing), email, or phone and will not require students to meet in person.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will provide relevant feedback in a timely manner.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will follow all official University of Utah policies regarding interpersonal conduct, accommodations, and other important duties.