CHEM 640:
Biological Physical Chemistry
(3 credits)
Fall 2009
The course presents the basic principles of physical chemistry with applications to biological systems. Topics include the laws of thermodynamics, phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, chemical reaction kinetics and brief introduction to quantum chemistry and spectroscopy.
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Line number: |
14103 |
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Instructor: |
Krzysztof Kuczera, 5090 Malott, phone: 864-5060 ; email: kkuczera@ku.edu |
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Time & Place: |
9: 00–9: 50 MWF, 2074 Malott |
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Textbook: |
P. Atkins and J. de Paula, Physical Chemistry |
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for the Life Sciences, W.H. Freeman, 2006. |
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Discussion meetings: |
Wednesdays 2:30–3:20, 1003 Malott |
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Thursdays 3:00–3:50, 2007 Malott |
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Office hours: |
T,W 10:00-11:00 am or by appointment |
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Teaching Assistant: |
Pablo Palafox, 6008 Malott, Phone: 864-4158, email: palafox@ku.edu Office hours: W 11:00-12:00 or by appointment |
The overall course grade will be determined by the sum of five components (weights in parentheses):
(pre-class quizzes)«(0.15) + (problem portfolio)«(0.10) + (homework)«(0.25)
+ (average of the two hour exam scores)«(0.25) + (final exam score)«(0.25)
Exam dates:
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Exam #1 |
Friday, October 2, in class |
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Exam #2 |
Friday, November 6, in class |
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FINAL |
Friday, December 18, 7:30–10:00 am |
Quizzes. On-line quizzes in Blackboard
will be given every 1-2 weeks, aimed at engaging students in systematic reading
of class material.
Problem solving. Learning of the complex concepts of physical chemistry cannot be achieved without the experience and insight gained by problem solving. Solutions to sample problems are given in the textbook, will be discussed in class, presented on Web site, assigned as homework and covered in discussion sections. Familiarity with the problems covered is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for success in the exams.
Homework. Problem sets will be assigned weekly.
Portfolios. To organize the body of problems we will be tackling, each student will prepare a problem portfolio in a 2-3 inch binder. The portfolio should contain full solutions to a) problems solved in class b) correct solutions to homework problems c) solutions to trial exams.
Solution format. Each problem solution should start on a new page and include:
a) the problem text (may be abbreviated, copied and pasted, etc.)
b) summary (e.g. Òproblem deals with heat flow in chemical reactionsÓ)
c) solution, including equations and justification in words (e.g. ÒUsing the ideal gas equation pV = nRT ÉÓ)
d) final answer: quantity with correct value and units (+ significant figures)
e) comments and discussion when appropriate (i.e. almost always)
Reading: I recommended reading the relevant chapters of textbook and on-line lecture notes both before and after the material is covered in class. In order to better understand the material it is useful to look at alternative presentations of material, such as
0. P. Atkins and J. de Paula, Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences, W.H. Freeman, 2006, ISBN 0-7167-i8628-1 (class text).
1. Tinoco, Sauer & Wang, Physical Chemistry, Principles and Applications in Biological Sciences, 3 Ed. QH345.T56 2002
2. Eisenberg & Crothers, Physical Chemistry with Applications to the Life Sciences. QD453.2E37 1979
3. Alberty & Silbey, Physical Chemistry. QD453.2.A45 2001
Electronic materials. Electronic materials will be at class website and on Blackboard.
Blackboard: syllabus, announcements, quizzes, homework assignments, grades. Class website: cross-linked lecture notes, sample problem solutions, study guide, trial exams.
Location: http://oolung.chem.ku.edu/~kuczera/640/640.html
Syllabus
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Dates |
Topic |
Chapter |
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08/21–08/24 |
Introduction, Gases |
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08/26–09/09 |
The First Law & Thermochemistry |
1 |
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09/11–09/23 |
The Second Law & Entropy |
2 |
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09/25–09/30 |
Free energy |
2 |
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10/02 |
Exam #1 |
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10/05–10/09 |
Phase equilibria of pure substances |
3 |
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10/12–10/19 |
Mixtures |
3 |
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10/21–11/04 |
Chemical Equilibrium, Acid-Base Equilibria |
4 |
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11/06 |
Exam #2 |
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11/09–11/13 |
Chemical Reaction Kinetics |
6 |
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11/16–11/20 |
Reaction Mechanisms |
7-8 |
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11/23–12/09 |
Quantum Mechanics & Spectroscopy |
9 |