revised 8/27/14 1:10 PM

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02139 USA

5.61 Physical Chemistry

Fall, 2014

Introductory quantum chemistry; particles and waves; wave mechanics; atomic structure and the Periodic Table;
valence and molecular orbital theory; molecular structure; and photochemistry.

Lecturers: Robert W. Field Room 6-219, 253-1489
rwfield@mit.edu
office hours: Fridays, 1:00-2:00, and by
appointment

Robert G. Griffin Room NW14-3220, 253-5597
rgg@mit.edu
office hours: ???

TAs: Trevor John Erickson tevo81@mit.edu
Diptarka Hait diptarka@mit.edu

Textbook:
Quantum Chemistry, 2e, D. McQuarrie, University Science (2007)
Other Books:
Physical Chemistry, P. Atkins and J. dePaula, Freeman
Physical Chemistry, R. Silbey, R. Alberty, and M. Bawendi
Atoms and Molecules, M. Karplus and R. Porter, Benjamin (1970)

Lectures: MWF, 10:00AM-11:00AM, Room 4-237
Clickers There will be clicker exercises in almost every lecture. You will be awarded participation
points (up to a maximum of 50) based on the number of clicker questions to which you
respond.
Recitation: There will be two recitation sections, each meets 2 times per week:
1) MW 12:00 Room 66-156
2) TR 11:00 Room 4-145

Reading
Assignments:
See Lecture Schedule
Homework:
Problems will be assigned every week (posted on the 5.61 Stellar site after the Friday
lecture) and will be due by 3:00 PM on the date specified outside of the Chemistry
Undergraduate Office. Late problem sets are not accepted.

Solutions to the problem sets will be posted on the 5.61 Stellar site. Homework will be
graded by the recitation instructor and returned in recitation.

Exams
There will be three 60-minute examinations during the term and an officially scheduled
180-minute final examination (during Final Exam week). An information sheet
summarizing details of the examinations will be distributed prior to each examination. All
of the exams will be closed-notes (except for one 8.5!! " 11!! sheet of student-prepared
notes) and closed-book. The three 60-minute examinations will be given Thursday
evenings (Oct. 2, 23, and Nov. 20) beginning at 7:30 PM in 4-237 or environs.
FINAL EXAM: TBA

revised 8/27/14 1:10 PM

Grading:
A total of 650 points is possible in the course as follows: each of the three hour exams
counts 100 points, the homework counts 100 points, the clickers responses count for 50
points, and the final exam counts 200 points. The final grade will be determined from these
scores.

Web Page stellar.mit.edu/S/course/5/fa14/5.61/index.html

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COURSE OVERVIEW

Academic Honesty

It is expected that students in 5.61 will maintain the highest standards of academic honesty.

With respect to homework assignments, it is expected that no student will turn in work that is not his or her
own. This prohibition includes copying the work of another student and using the solutions of problems in this
course that were assigned in previous years. Discussion of approaches to solving the homework problems after
attempting to work the problems independently, however, is permitted and encouraged.

It is expected that during a test or examination, no student will (1) accept, distribute, or use information of
any kind from another student; (2) represent the work of another student as his or her own; (3) use aids to memory
other than those explicitly permitted by the examiner. Following a test or exam no student will attempt to deceive
faculty or graders by misrepresenting or altering the answer to an exam question. In advance of a test or exam, no
student will knowingly obtain access to any exam questions.

Departures from the above standards are contrary to fundamental principles of academic honesty at MIT
and the larger scientific community. Such departures are considered serious offenses for which disciplinary
penalties, including suspension and expulsion, can be imposed.

A copy of the MIT Handbook on Academic Integrity can be obtained at http://integrity.mit.edu
Student Support Services

If you are dealing with a personal or medical issue that is impacting your ability to attend class, complete work, or
take an exam, please discuss this with Student Support Services (S3). The deans in S3 will verify your situation, and
then discuss with you how to address the missed work. Students will not be excused from coursework without
verification from Student Support Services. You may consult with Student Support Services in 5-104 or at
617-253-4861. Also, S3 has walk-in hours Monday-Friday 9:00-10:00am.

Student Disability Services

MIT is committed to the principle of equal access. Students who need disability accommodations are encouraged to
speak with Kathleen Monagle, Associate Dean, prior to or early in the semester so that accommodation requests can
be evaluated and addressed in a timely fashion. Even if you are not planning to use accommodations, it is
recommended that you meet with SDS staff to familiarize yourself with the services and resources of the office.
You may also consult with Student Disability Services in 5-104 or at 617-253-1674. If you have already been
approved for accommodations, please contact me early in the semester so that we can work together to get your
accommodation logistics in place.

Grading Policy

In accord with MIT Rules and Regulations of the Faculty section 2.62, the Chemistry Department does not grade on
a curve. Students are assessed individually, and there is no pre-determined grade spread in any subject. Consistent
with this, after Drop Date, students who remain in a class are not in jeopardy of seeing their grades change due to
the change in class composition.