TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR SPRING 2008:

The first several weeks of this course will consist of a review of most of the techniques we will use throughout the course. It is essential that you keep up with the reading assignments as well as the lab assignments.  

DATE 

TOPICS

JAN 15

Introduction to computational chemistry

Introduction to computational chemistry methods

Introduction to Linux/UNIX; security issues; Linux/UNIX and the vi editor

JAN 22 

Spartan

GaussView

JAN 29 

Molecular mechanics

z-matrices; ghost atoms

Introduction to Gaussian 03; input and understanding output

FEB 5

Semi-empirical methods

Geometry optimization vs. single point

Visualization:  Rasmol and WebLab Viewer Lite; freeware

Frequency calculations; Thermochemistry

FTPing data; protecting data

FEB 12 

Ab initio methods; Basis sets

Transition states

FEB 19 

Electron correlation methods

“newzmat”; moving between programs

FEB 26 

Electron correlation methods

Mid-term review

MARCH 4 

MID-TERM EXAM

Lab work.

MARCH 11 

Advanced Gaussian 98 options – G2 and G3

Complete basis set methods

Additional properties

Selecting an appropriate model

 

MARCH 18 

SPRING BREAK!

MARCH 25 

Advanced topics

APRIL 1

PC’s, workstations, and supercomputers – Why?

Advanced basis sets; scaling to CBS techniques

Storage issues/direct methods

APRIL 8

CHEM 4660: WRITTEN ARTICLE ANALYSIS DUE

CHEM 5660:  ORAL PRESENTATIONS 

APRIL 15

Density functional theory

APRIL 22 

Additional computational methodologies

APRIL 25 (FRIDAY) PROJECT DUE BY 5:00 P.M.

APRIL 29

PROJECT PRESENTATIONS

MAY 6

FINAL EXAM,  6:00 p.m. – 8:50 p.m.