Most of our frustration in life stems from incorrect expectations. So let me line out the year of PChem at SHSU so you will not be frustrated by the unknown.

Starting at 30,000 ft elevation, we have the two semesters:
Fall is Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
Spring is Thermodynamics

Zooming in on the Fall semester, we have the following structure.

  • Quantum Mechanics, Spectroscopy, and Group Theory fully developed on one-dimensional systems.
  • QM applied to vibrational spectra
  • QM applied to rovibrational spectra
  • QM applied to atomic spectra
  • QM applied to electronic molecular spectra
  • Spectral simulation with Gaussian

This is a significant departure from the structure of my undergraduate pchem course at UT in the late 80’s. And in my opinion, it is a great improvement!

My goal for the class is for the students to be able to apply a quantum view of light interacting with matter whenever necessary.

I know this approach has been successful because alumni have written me saying that they were able to understand spectroscopic applications not covered in my course. This course gave them the skills to apply the theory in new situations, which is the greatest goal of higher education.

Drilling down into Thermodynamics, I break the course into five sections.

  • Statistical Thermo taking quantum theory to bulk properties.
  • Thermochemistry the theory of bulk properties and engines.
  • Phase diagrams, pure substances, mixtures, and equilibrium.
  • Non-equilibrium systems and transport phenomena.
  • Energy sources, sinks, conversion, and efficiency.

This is also a departure from the traditional pchem Thermo treatment, which in my experience was a class in partial differential equations taught under the guise of a chemistry class.

Is this treatment effective? Once again, I rely on alumni to support my claim that it is. They are well employed and advancing in GE, Baker Hughes, Nalco, Agilent, and other competitive companies. The ones who went on for Ph.D.’s have done well, too.