SubjectsSubjects(version: 983)
Course, academic year 2025/2026
   
Physical Chemistry for International Students I - MC260P132
Title: Physical Chemistry for International Students I
Czech title: Fyzikální chemie pro mezinárodní studenty I
Guaranteed by: Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry (31-260)
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Actual: from 2023
Semester: summer
E-Credits: 4
Examination process: summer s.:
Hours per week, examination: summer s.:2/1, C+Ex [HT]
Capacity: unlimited
Min. number of students: unlimited
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
State of the course: taught
Language: English
Note: enabled for web enrollment
Guarantor: Michal Mazur, Ph.D.
Teacher(s): Rui Gao, Ph.D.
Junjie He, Ph.D.
Christopher James Heard, Ph.D.
doc. RNDr. Peter Košovan, Ph.D.
Michal Mazur, Ph.D.
Ing. Lucie Nová, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Miroslav Štěpánek, Ph.D.
Annotation -
The course consists of lectures by academic staff members from the department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry (2*45 min per weeek, 2 semesters), combined with problem solving classes (1*45 min per week).

It covers the bachelor and master curriculum of Physical Chemistry in a more condensed manner. The target audience are international master students within the Erasmus programme and PhD students whose background is not Physical Chemistry (Physics, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, etc.). Czech students are also welcome to attend the course.

In the time of covid-19 restrictions, the lectures will be recorded and the recordings will be made available to students via google drive.
Last update: Gáliková Kristýna, Mgr. et Mgr., DiS. (07.07.2026)
Literature -

P.W. Atkins, J. de Paula: Atkins' Physical Chemistry, 8th Edition, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, (2006)

Last update: Košovan Peter, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (11.03.2019)
Requirements to the exam -

The course is accomplished by an oral exam, format of which resembles the state exams: A committe of several teachers interactively asks questions that the student is supposed to answer.

The problem solving part is accomplished by handing in a written solution to one of the problems, and presenting this solution before the class. The teacher may refuse to accept the solution if it is incorrect, or if its quality is evaluated as insufficient.

In the time of covid-19 restrictions it is possible to take the exam by means of a videoconference.

Last update: Košovan Peter, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (13.10.2020)
Syllabus -
  1. The properties of gases
  2. The First Law of Thermodynamics
  3. The Second Law of Thermodynamics
  4. Physical transformations of pure substances
  5. Simple mixtures
  6. Phase diagrams
  7. Chemical equilibrium
  8. Quantum theory: introduction and principles
  9. Quantum theory: techniques and applications
  10. Atomic structure and atomic spectra
  11. Molecular structure
  12. Molecular symmetry
Last update: Košovan Peter, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (11.03.2019)
Learning outcomes -

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Explain the fundamental properties of gases and apply the gas laws to describe their behavior.
  • Formulate and analyze energy balances based on the First Law of Thermodynamics for various physical and chemical processes.
  • Interpret entropy changes and apply the Second Law of Thermodynamics to predict the direction and efficiency of physical and chemical transformations.
  • Describe and quantify physical transformations of pure substances, including phase transitions and state functions.
  • Characterize and analyze the behavior of simple mixtures, including concepts of partial molar quantities and colligative properties.
  • Read, construct, and interpret phase diagrams of one- and two-component systems.
  • Define and calculate conditions for chemical equilibrium and apply equilibrium concepts to reaction systems.
  • Explain the basic principles of quantum theory and their role in describing atomic and molecular systems.
  • Apply fundamental quantum mechanical methods (e.g., Schrödinger equation, operators, wavefunctions) to model selected systems.
  • Describe atomic structure and interpret atomic spectra based on quantum mechanical principles.
  • Explain the basis of molecular structure and bonding as derived from quantum theory.
  • Identify and analyze molecular symmetry elements and apply group theory concepts to interpret molecular properties.
Last update: Mazur Michal, Ph.D. (20.02.2026)
 
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