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CHE-30072 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

CHE-30072 - Inorganic, Physical and Quantum Chemistry
Coordinator: Katherine Haxton Room: LJ1.43 Tel: +44 1782 7 34209
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Successful completion of FHEQ level 5 modules or equivalent in Chemistry

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This module builds upon important theories and concepts in inorganic and physical chemistry introduced at Levels 4 and 5 and applies these to explore new phenomena at the forefront of modern understanding in these fields. In this module you will use computational chemistry software to perform quantum chemical calculations and put theory into practice by locating and analysing real data from the scientific literature to solve problems relating to reactions dynamics and electronic spectroscopy of coordination compounds. 

Aims
This module aims to to build upon theories and concepts in inorganic, physical and quantum chemistry introduced at Levels 4 and 5 specifically relating to inorganic spectroscopy, reaction dynamics and quantum chemistry. Students will also develop and reinforce skills in retrieval, analysis and critical evaluation of data from the physical and inorganic chemistry literature, and build familiarity with the use of computational chemistry software for calculating molecular properties.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Apply inorganic and physical chemistry principles to analyse, interpret, rationalise and predict experimental observations of the electronic absorption and emission spectra of transition metal complexes: 1,3
Describe, apply and critically compare key principles, methods and theoretical frameworks in quantum theory to calculate wavefunctions for atoms and molecules and derive orbital energy level diagrams: 1
Apply computational methods to perform selected quantum chemistry calculations using modern computational software, and critically evaluate the output: 2
Calculate and interpret rate constants for model reactions, and apply modern theories to make predictions about the rates and Arrhenius parameters of elementary reactions: 1,3
Select and locate primary literature sources of experimental data relevant to reaction dynamics and inorganic spectroscopy, and use appropriate theoretical frameworks to deduce the physical processes and properties underpinning these phenomena: 3

Study hours

Total Active Learning Hours: 22 hours
Interactive Lectures and seminars: 20 hours
PC Lab Workshop: 2 hours

Total Independent study: 125 hours
Pre-class work and revision: 12 hours
Coursework and Exam Preparation: 113 hours
Exam: 3 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Exam weighted 50%
Exam
An in-person, invigilated exam of 3 hr duration for 100 marks with a degree of choice and the ability to bring along a restricted number of pre-prepared paper notes.

2: Exercise weighted 10%
Gaussian Exercise
Use of the Gaussian software to calculate and analyse molecular geometry and examine the effect of changing basis sets, equivalent to ~500 words. Description of the problem, the approach and appropriate input and output data and files.

3: Assignment weighted 40%
Spectroscopy and Reaction Dynamics Assignment
A series of problem-solving exercises on the topics of reaction dynamics and transition metal electronic spectroscopy, equivalent to ~2000 words. Answers will require the location and extraction of information and experimental data from peer-reviewed sources and their use in the analysis, interpretation and application of key models and concepts.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025