Admission requirements
Elective course in the MSc Chemistry.
Suitable for students with a BSc MST or equivalent BSc degree. Students should have a basic understanding of quantum chemistry (atomic s, p, d orbitals, molecular orbitals, meaning of the wave function), the properties of light (energy, wavelength), and the basics of spectroscopy (quantum numbers, selection rules). An optional crash course in these aspects will be provided before the first lecture.
Description
In the course, we will focus on how we can use spectroscopy to understand the chemistry around us: in the lab, in the chemical industry, and in our environment. For example, how can we follow the bond making and breaking during a chemical reaction? How do we determine what the active sites in a catalyst look like? Or how do we measure the concentration of pollutants in our atmosphere?
To answer this type of questions, we will study the physical principles and applications of popular spectroscopic techniques: UV-Vis, IR, Raman, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, EXAFS, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. For each of these methods, we will see what they can tell us about the chemical structure of materials, and how we can apply them in different environments or chemical reactions.
The basic principles of the spectroscopic methods will be introduced in the lecture notes. During the lectures, we will apply these principles to real-life examples. At the end of every lecture, students will present a scientific paper on a related method or application.
Course objectives
At the end of the course, the student can
describe the physical principles of Raman spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, UV-VIS spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, EXAFS, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
describe the vibrational and electronic excitations that can occur in various forms of materials: solids, dissolved molecules or complexes, and gases
extract structural and chemical information out of spectroscopic data
choose a suitable spectroscopic technique to fit a research question
critically evaluate spectroscopic data and their interpretation in the literature
can digest and present a summary of scientific articles from the literature
Timetable
Schedule information can be found on the website of the programmes.
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
Mode of Instruction
Lectures, exercises, and computer labs.
Assessment method
Presentation (30%)
Exam (70%)
The grade for each component of the assessment must exceed an unrounded 6.0 grade to pass the course.
Participation in the computer labs is mandatory.
Reading list
Lecture notes
Slides presented during the lectures
Scientific literature
For some exercises, we will use this book (freely available online via the university library): Peter Larkin, Infrared and raman spectroscopy: principles and spectral interpretation, Elsevier 2011
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Contact
Remarks
Assignment deadlines are communicated via Brightspace.
A laptop running Windows operating system is required.
According to OER article 4.8, students are entitled to view their marked examination for a period of 30 days following the publication of the results of a written examination. Students should contact the lecturer to make an appointment for such an inspection session.
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.