Advanced Inorganic Chemistry - 423521
Course Title
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Course Number
423521
Instructor Name
Samar Al Shakhshir
Contact Information
[email protected]
Semester(s) and academic year(s)
First Semester 2019
Compulsory / Elective
Compulsory
Course Description

A 3-lecture, compulsory course that is given to students at the beginning of their enrollment to the graduate school (M.Sc. level) in chemistry. The course bridges new graduate students with their basic chemistry backgrounds. The course treats molecular spectroscopy in depth including absorption spectra and electron spin spectra. Periodicity of the elements, with special focus on lanthanides and actinides, is rigorously treated. Inorganic Solids (including theory, characterization and application in photo-voltaics and photo-electrochemistry) are rigorously treated. Students are expected to participate in presenting their own presentations.

Course Objectives

This course will enable students to master their earlier basic studies (Coordination Compounds, Crystal Field Theory, Molecular orbital Theory, etc.) together with new added concepts (Bonding and structure in Solid States such as Band Theory, advanced characterization techniques) to deal with advanced inorganic chemistry topics at the graduate level collectively in an interconnected comprehensive approach. The student will then be able to apply such basic and theoretical skills in understanding and developing contemporary materials technologies. The student will apply his/her own understanding and vision in critically analyzing current advanced technologies.

Intended learning Outcomes and Competences

After completing the course, the student is expected to be able to:

  1. Use knowledge of periodic table to explain chemistry and physics of lanthanides and actinides.
  2. Use advanced spectroscopic techniques in predicting structures of inorganic compounds
  3. Use earlier knowledge of inorganic chemistry in modern materials technology and applications.
  4. Use own background (theories of bonding, spectroscopy, analysis techniques) to explain advanced materials (basics, characterization and applications).
  5. Use modern inorganic literature to bring out new ideas for own research
Textbook and References
  1. B. Douglas, D. McDaniel, and J. Alexander, Concepts And Models of Inorganic Chemistry, 3rd Ed., J. Wiley, N.Y., 1994.
  2. J. E. Huheey, Inorganic Chemistry, Latest editions, Harper & Row.
  3. F.A. Cotton and G. Wilkinson, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, J. Wiley.
  4. David Nicholls, Complexes and 1st Raw Transition Metal Elements, Macmillan, London.
  5. Ebsworth, Rankin & Craddock, Structural Methods in Inorganic Chemistry, Blackwell scientific Publ., Oxford,
  6. Russell Drago, Physical Methods for Chemists, 2nd Ed., (1992), Saunders.
  7. Russell Drago, Physical Methods in Inroganic Chemistry, International Student edition,  
  8. Other primary sources: Inorganic Chemistry Journals and Reviews

Online sources: Inorganic Chemistry Journals and Reviews.

Assessment Criteria
Activity Percent (%)
1st hour exam 20%
2nd hour exam 20%
participation- presentations 10%
final exam 50%