This course is the second part of a three part series (Chem 201/250A/251A) that first year graduate students must take as an introduction to group theory, followed by a detailed examination of how it applies to aspects of symmetry and bonding in chemistry. Undergrads may take this course with instructor permission (email the professor), and several usually choose to do so each year.
3 hours of lecture per week. Problem sets are quite lengthy and may take 6-7 hours each.
The class is predominantly taken by first-year graduate students with some junior and senior undergraduates. Chem 201 is not a prerequisite, although somewhat helpful.
This class is offered in the fall only.
This course closely follows Cotton’s Chemical Applications of Group Theory, and readings will be assigned from Cotton throughout the course. Vincent’s Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory offers a more gentle introduction to group theory (Cotton can be verbose sometimes), and since it’s a workbook, is good practice regardless.
Like my advice for Chem 201, I would highly recommend finding a PDF or hard copy of Albright, Burdett and Whangbo’s Orbital Interactions in Chemistry – this has examples of almost every molecular orbital diagram you’ll ever need to complete the problem sets in it, and Prof. Long frequently references it in lecture. The 1st edition may honestly be better than the 2nd, because the 1st edition is shorter and more straightforward.
When reviewing for the final exam, consult lecture notes, problem sets, then assigned readings, in that order. Material covered in lecture will be emphasized, although generally speaking the final exam is easier than the problem sets.
Written by: Edward Mu
Last edited: Fall 2018