Course 2024-2025

Advanced Theoretical Chemistry [SCHIM102]

  • 6 credits
  • 36h+24h
  • 1st quarter
Language of instruction: English

Learning outcomes

The students are introduced to advanced concepts and methods of theoretical chemistry and finally to computer modeling and simulations, including links with various computer algorithms. A key aspect of the course is to allow students to understand the role of the input parameters necessary for the calculations. Some specific issues that are treated in the course are the determination of molecular and bulk properties, of molecular reactivities, as well as aspects of electron correlation.

Objectives

The students are introduced to advanced concepts and methods of theoretical chemistry and finally to computer modeling and simulations, including links with various computer algorithms. A key aspect of the course is to allow students to understand the role of the input parameters necessary for the calculations. Some specific issues that are treated in the course are the determination of molecular and bulk properties, of molecular reactivities, as well as aspects of electron correlation.

Content

Y. Olivier

Part I :

1. Representations of molecular structures

2. Interaction energy and force fields

3. Potential Energy Surface Sampling

a. Monte Carlo

b. Molecular Dynamics

c. Simulated annealing

d. Entropy and free energy

4. "Soft Computing"

a. Genetic algorithms

b. Artificial neural networks

5. "Comparative modelling"

a. Molecular similarity

b. QSAR

c. Molecular alignments

 

B. Champagne

Density functional theory

1. Introduction and densities within wavefunctionapproaches

2. The Thomas-Fermi model

3. The Hohenberg and Kohn theorems

4. The Kohn-Sham approach

  4.A. Kohn-Sham equation

  4.B. XC functionals and their performance for determining geometries, vibrational spectra, optical properties, interaction energies

  4.C. Self-Interaction

  4.D. Conceptual DFT

Time-Dependent Density functional theory

  5.A. TDDFT equations

  5.B. Approximate TDDFT schemes

  5.C. GW and BSE methods

  5.D. Simulating UV/vis absorption and CD spectra

 

Table of contents

Y. Olivier

Part I :

1. Representations of molecular structures

2. Interaction energy and force fields

3. Introduction to geometry optimization methods

Part II :

1. Introduction to statistical mechanics simulations

a. Background theory (reminder)

b. Monte Carlo

c. Molecular Dynamics

d. Simulated annealing

e. Entropy and free energy

2. "Soft Computing"

a. Genetic algorithms

b. Artificial neural networks

3. "Comparative modelling"

a. Molecular similarity

b. QSAR

c. Molecular alignments

 

B. Champagne

Density functional theory

1. Introduction and densities within wavefunctionapproaches

2. The Thomas-Fermi model

3. The Hohenberg and Kohn theorems

4. The Kohn-Sham approach

  4.A. Kohn-Sham equation

  4.B. XC functionals and their performance for determining geometries, vibrational spectra, optical properties, interaction energies

  4.C. Self-Interaction

  4.D. Conceptual DFT

Time-Dependent Density functional theory

  5.A. TDDFT equations

  5.B. Approximate TDDFT schemes

  5.C. GW and BSE methods

  5.D. Simulating UV/vis absorption and CD spectra

 


Prerequisites

Chimie physique moléculaire [SCHIB303]

Teaching methods

For the quantum chemistry part, the course is divided into three sections:

A) The presentation of the content (by the teacher), 1°) highlighting the essential aspects of DFT and TDDFT 2°) pointing out their strengths and weaknesses in the context of selected applications. 

B) For each chapter, simple exercises will be proposed and their solutions will be possible by using the computing resources of the PTCI.   

C) The realization of a mini-project, calling for the application of DFT/TDDFT

 

Evaluations

For the quantum chemistry part, 

1°) 50% for the written report (length: 3 pages/student). The reports will be submitted by November 30th at the latest. The report should include the presentation and critical discussion of the results.  

2°) 50% for the written exam (1H of preparation) on the essential aspects of DFT and TDDFT, followed by a oral discussion (Questions will be asked on the methodological DFT and TDDFT aspects as well as on the results of the project).

 
 
For the Molecular Modeling part, the evaluation can consist of a written exam, followed by an oral one, covering all chapters.
The evaluation also covers the content of the pratical labs, their presentation, calculations, and the behavior of the student during the labs. Students are not excused from practical lab works when the practical exam grade is < 10/20, and/or the theoretical exam is not presented.
 
 
 

Recommended readings

A. Szabo and N.S. Ostlund, Modern Quantum Chemistry (MacMillan, New York), (1982). R.G. Parr and W. Yang, Density-Functional Theory of Atoms and Molecules, (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1989). R. McWeeny, Methods of Molecular Quantum Mechanics, (Academic, San Diego, 1992). W. Koch and M.C. Holthausen, A Chemist's Guide to Density Functional Theory, (Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2001).

A. Leach Molecular Modelling: Principles and Applications 2nd Edition (Pearson Education (US))

 

 

Language of instruction

English

Location for course

NAMUR

Organizer

Faculté des sciences
Rue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR

Degree of Reference

Master's Degree