| Academic Year |
2026 |
| Offering Department |
Chemistry |
Quota |
60
|
| Course Co-ordinator |
Prof E C M Tse, Chemistry < ecmtse@hku.hk > |
| Teachers Involved |
(Dr K K H Ng,Chemistry)
(Prof E C M Tse,Chemistry) |
| Course Objectives |
To introduce the concepts of symmetry and group theory and to apply them in solving chemical problems. This course also provides an introductory treatment of bonding theories, inorganic electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. This course is essential for students who wish to take advanced courses in inorganic chemistry and all types of spectroscopy. |
| Course Contents & Topics |
Symmetry elements and symmetry operations; symmetry point groups; reducible and irreducible representations; character tables; direct products; symmetry-adapted linear combinations; projection operators; hybrid orbitals; molecular orbital theory for organic, inorganic and organometallic systems; selected applications in electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. |
| Course Learning Outcomes |
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
| CLO 1 |
understand the basic principles and concepts of symmetry and group theory and to apply them in solving chemical problems |
| CLO 2 |
demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the use of character tables and projection operator techniques |
| CLO 3 |
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of bonding theories involving hybrid orbitals and molecular orbitals for organic, inorganic and organometallic systems |
| CLO 4 |
demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the application of symmetry and group theory in electronic and vibrational spectroscopy |
|
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations) |
Pass in CHEM3341 |
| Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core |
2026 Major in Chemistry (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2026 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) (
Core/Compulsory
)
2026 Minor in Chemistry (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2025 Major in Chemistry (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2025 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) (
Core/Compulsory
)
2025 Minor in Chemistry (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2024 Major in Chemistry (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2024 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) (
Core/Compulsory
)
2024 Minor in Chemistry (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2023 Major in Chemistry (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2023 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) (
Core/Compulsory
)
2023 Minor in Chemistry (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2022 Major in Chemistry (
Disciplinary Elective
)
2022 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) (
Core/Compulsory
)
2022 Minor in Chemistry (
Disciplinary Elective
)
|
| Course to PLO Mapping |
2026 Major in Chemistry < PLO 2,3,4 >
2026 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 2,3,4 >
2025 Major in Chemistry < PLO 2,3,4 >
2025 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Chemistry < PLO 2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Chemistry < PLO 2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Chemistry < PLO 2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 2,3,4 >
|
| Offer in 2026 - 2027 |
Y
1st sem
|
Examination |
Dec
|
| Offer in 2027 - 2028 |
Y |
| Course Grade |
A+ to F
|
| Grade Descriptors |
| A | Demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, and theories relating to symmetry and group theory and their applications in solving chemical problems, especially those related to symmetry elements and symmetry operations; symmetry point groups; reducible and irreducible representations; character tables; direct products; symmetry-adapted linear combinations; projection operators; treatment of bonding theories including hybrid orbitals and molecular orbitals for organic, inorganic and orgametallic systems; and applications in electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Show strong ability to apply and integrate knowledge and theory relating to the basic principles and concepts of symmetry and group theory and their applications in bonding, and electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Show strong ability to analyze novel problems and critical use of data and experimental results to draw appropriate and insightful conclusions relating to the principles and applications of symmetry and group theory. |
|---|
| B | Demonstrate substantial command of knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, and theories relating to symmetry and group theory and their applications in solving chemical problems, especially those related to symmetry elements and symmetry operations; symmetry point groups; reducible and irreducible representations; character tables; direct products; symmetry-adapted linear combinations; projection operators; treatment of bonding theories including hybrid orbitals and molecular orbitals for organic, inorganic and orgametallic systems; and applications in electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Show evidence to apply and integrate knowledge and theory relating to the basic principles and concepts of symmetry and group theory and their applications in bonding, and electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Show evidence to analyze novel problems and correct use of data and experimental results to draw appropriate conclusions relating to the principles and applications of symmetry and group theory. |
|---|
| C | Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, and theories relating to symmetry and group theory and their applications in solving chemical problems, especially those related to symmetry elements and symmetry operations; symmetry point groups; reducible and irreducible representations; character tables; direct products; symmetry-adapted linear combinations; projection operators; treatment of bonding theories including hybrid orbitals and molecular orbitals for organic, inorganic and orgametallic systems; and applications in electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Show evidence of some abilities to apply and integrate knowledge and theory relating to the basic principles and concepts of symmetry and group theory and their applications in bonding, and electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Show ability to analyze problems to most familiar situations and mostly correct but erroneous use of data and experimental results to draw appropriate conclusions relating to the principles and applications of symmetry and group theory. |
|---|
| D | Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, and theories relating to symmetry and group theory and their applications in solving chemical problems, especially those related to symmetry elements and symmetry operations; symmetry point groups; reducible and irreducible representations; character tables; direct products; symmetry-adapted linear combinations; projection operators; treatment of bonding theories including hybrid orbitals and molecular orbitals for organic, inorganic and orgametallic systems; and applications in electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Show evidence of limited abilities to apply and integrate knowledge and theory relating to the basic principles and concepts of symmetry and group theory and their applications in bonding, and electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Show limited ability to analyze problems to most familiar situations and mostly correct but erroneous use of data and experimental results to draw appropriate conclusions relating to the principles and applications of symmetry and group theory. |
|---|
| Fail | Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, and theories relating to symmetry and group theory and their applications in solving chemical problems, especially those related to symmetry elements and symmetry operations; symmetry point groups; reducible and irreducible representations; character tables; direct products; symmetry-adapted linear combinations; projection operators; treatment of bonding theories including hybrid orbitals and molecular orbitals for organic, inorganic and orgametallic systems; and applications in electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Show little or no evidence of abilities to apply and integrate knowledge and theory relating to the basic principles and concepts of symmetry and group theory and their applications in bonding, and electronic and vibrational spectroscopy. Show little or no ability to analyze problems to most familiar situations and erroneous use of data and experimental results to draw appropriate conclusions relating to the principles and applications of symmetry and group theory. |
|---|
|
| Communication-intensive Course |
N |
| Course Type |
Lecture-based course |
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities |
| Activities |
Details |
No. of Hours |
| Lectures |
|
36.0 |
| Tutorials |
or discussion |
12.0 |
| Reading / Self study |
|
100.0 |
|
Assessment Methods
and Weighting |
| Methods |
Details |
Weighting in final
course grade (%) |
Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping |
| Assignments |
|
25.0 |
1,2,3,4 |
| Examination |
|
50.0 |
1,2,3,4 |
| Test |
(test/project) |
25.0 |
1,2,3,4 |
|
Required/recommended reading
and online materials |
F.A. Cotton: Chemical Applications of Group Theory (Wiley, 3rd ed., 1990) |
| Course Website |
NIL |
| Additional Course Information |
This course is also offered to RPg students, and the course code for RPg students is CHEM6116. |