Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
CHEM4543 Advanced physical chemistry (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Chemistry Quota 40
Course Co-ordinator Prof G H Chen, Chemistry < ghc@yangtze.hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof D L Phillips,Chemistry)
(Prof G H Chen,Chemistry)
Course Objectives This course covers advanced topics in physical chemistry.  It is offered for students majoring in physical chemistry and for students who are interested in postgraduate studies.
Course Contents & Topics Time-resolved spectroscopy methods, excited states and reactive intermediates, photophysics and photochemical processes, chemical reaction mechanisms, advanced quantum mechanical methods, reaction pathways and surface crossings.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 understand the basic concepts of quantum chemistry, statistical thermodynamics and molecular dynamics
CLO 2 understand Hartree-Fock method, statistical ensembles, quantum statistics, H-theorem, and reaction dynamics
CLO 3 understand the elementary numerical procedures in Hartree-Fock and molecular mechanics methods
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in CHEM3541
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2025 Major in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Chemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2025 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2024 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2024 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2023 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2023 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2022 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2022 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2021 Major in Chemistry < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
2021 Major in Chemistry (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,5 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Mastery of advanced knowledge on following topics: variation method in quantum mechanics, Hartree-Fock method, perturbation theory, advanced statistical thermodynamics, reaction dynamics. Strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with strong ability to apply knowledge to practical problems in physical chemistry.
B Substantial command of a broad range of knowledge on following topics: variation method in quantum mechanics, Hartree-Fock method, perturbation theory, advanced statistical thermodynamics, reaction dynamics. Evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with ability to apply knowledge to practical problems in physical chemistry.
C Command of knowledge on following topics: variation method in quantum mechanics, Hartree-Fock method, perturbation theory, advanced statistical thermodynamics, reaction dynamics. Evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with ability to apply knowledge to familiar problems in physical chemistry.
D Partial but limited command of knowledge on following topics: variation method in quantum mechanics, Hartree-Fock method, perturbation theory, advanced statistical thermodynamics, reaction dynamics. Evidence of some coherent analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with limited ability to apply knowledge to practical problems in physical chemistry.
Fail Little or no evidence of command of knowledge on following topics: variation method in quantum mechanics, Hartree-Fock method, perturbation theory, advanced statistical thermodynamics, reaction dynamics. Lack of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with very little or no ability to apply knowledge to practical problems in physical chemistry.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36.0
Tutorials tutorials/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 (continuous assessment/test) 50.0 1,2,3
Examination 50.0 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 P. W. Atkins: Physical Chemistry
Ira N. Levine: Quantum Chemistry (Prentice Hall, 4th ed.)
R. C. Tolman: The Principles of Statistical Mechanics
R. D. Levine, R. B. Bernstein: Molecular Reaction Dynam
Course Website Nil
Additional Course Information This course is also offered to RPg students, and the course code for RPg students is CHEM6112.


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