CM3131 - Applications of Physical Chemistry

Academic Year 24/25 - Semester 2

Assessments:​

• Homework: 25% 

• Weekly Quizes: 15% 

• Mid-Terms: 30% 

• Finals: 30% 

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Lecturer(s): Dr Michael Yudistira (Part 1) and Dr Xu Hairuo (Part 2)

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No. of responses : 3

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REVIEWS

What advice would you give to someone considering to take this course?

 

DolleEicir: It's really tough. A lot of practice and understanding is involved to grasp not just the concepts, but to be so familiar with them such that it can be applied well. Please don't try to overload, as you really need to spend time on it to do well.

 

Wan Xin: You'll be super busy with the first half so you should free it up. The project takes quite some time to understand and do so dont start on it like 2 days before the deadline (like me oops). The first half content is heavy and quite hard to understand since it is new. Second half content was interesting to me as it builds on 2133 quantum and is more applicable irl. Also, first test will include all content dont trust dr mike when he says the quantum computational methods (L5-6) wont be tested >:(. Also, textbooks from the library are quite useful as the course doesnt provide much practice.

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What did you enjoy or find most useful from this course?

 

DolleEicir: Most fun was being able to use Gaussian to create molecular models, which is a part of computational chemistry. Applications of the concepts was really interesting too.

 

Wan Xin: I like the second half content, like the lasers and surfactants. The lecturers were nice too tho

 

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What aspects of the course did you find most challenging, and why?

 

DolleEicir: Statistical thermodynamics is a nightmare, especially if you couldn't understand the initial lectures on quantum mechanics. A certain degree and demand of math is involved to understand derivations and solve questions.

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Wan Xin: I barely understood the first half and it is quite important to get used to the calculations because it is ez to make small mistakes that have u end up w funny funny answers. And of course the fact that u hv to go to lecture at 8am is a struggle T-T

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What resources did you find most helpful in helping you better understand the course material?

 

DolleEicir: Probably textbooks and Youtube videos.

 

Wan Xin: Textbooks (can find in medsci lib)

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What other courses do you think should be taken before or concurrently with this course?

 

DolleEicir: CM4236 can be taken concurrently with CM3131, as there is a part in the 2nd half of CM3131 that focuses on fluorescence, which is a key technique and acts as a basis for the more advanced spectroscopy and imaging techniques covered in CM4236.