(Bio) Molecular Spectroscopy

6 EC

Semester 2, period 5

52548BMS6Y

Owner Master Chemistry (joint degree)
Coordinator prof. dr. Govert Somsen
Part of Master Chemistry (joint degree), track Analytical Sciences, year 1

Course manual 2017/2018

Course content

The course will start with refreshing properties of light and an introduction to photophysical principles and fundamentals of molecular spectroscopy. Basic aspects of molecular orbitals, electronic transitions and quantum chemistry will be treated. Essential optical components of spectroscopic instrumentation will be discussed. The fundamentals, practice and applications of electronic spectroscopy (UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence, phosphorescence), light scattering, atomic and vibrational spectroscopy (infrared, Raman) will be systematically treated. Attention will also be devoted to imaging and surface plasmon resonance techniques.

Study materials

Literature

  • will be provided during the course.

Objectives

This course deals with interactions between light and molecules as studied and employed by optical spectroscopy. Goal of the course is to acquire a deeper knowledge of several spectroscopic principles and techniques frequently applied in (bio)analytical chemistry.

Objectives:

Understand and explain photophysical principles and recognize their role in molecular spectroscopy
Describe and understand (the function of) basic optical components of spectroscopic instrumentation
Understand and explain the fundamentals and analytical applications of electronic spectroscopy
Understand and explain the fundamentals and analytical applications of vibrational spectroscopy
Understand and explain the fundamentals and analytical applications of atomic spectroscopy and elemental surface techniques

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Self-study
  • Exercises

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Lecture

33

Exercises

6

Exam

3

Self-study

108

Attendance

The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

Assessment

Item and weight Details

Final grade

1 (100%)

Exam

Must be ≥ 5.6

0%

None

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Weeknummer Onderwerpen Studiestof
1 Properties of light; Fundamentals of molecular spectroscopy  
2 Quantum chemistry; Light absorption  
3 Optical components; Special absorption and scattering techniques  
4 Atomic spectroscopy  
5 Luminescence spectroscopy  
6 Infrared spectroscopy  
7 Raman Spectroscopy; Imaging techniques  
8 Surface plasmon resonance  
9 Exam  

Additional information

Recommended prior knowledge: Basic principles of molecular orbitals, energy levels and molecular vibrations. Basic experience with absorption spectrometry.

Important note: The content of this course is quite basic. If you already have attended an elective course Molecular Spectroscopy during your bachelor's or master's, it is strongly advised to follow the Advanced Spectroscopy course (period 6) and NOT this course.

Contact information

Coordinator

  • prof. dr. Govert Somsen

g.w.somsen@vu.nl