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| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 3,739 - ≈ € 15,440 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Oxford / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 12 months | Start Date: | October |
| Educational Form: |
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| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Oxford
Theoretical Chemistry is a broad, contemporary and exciting field. Rooted in chemistry, it straddles the interfaces between chemistry, physics, materials science and biology, and encompasses any application of mathematical and computational techniques to problems and systems of chemical and related interest.
The one-year MSc in Theoretical Chemistry at Oxford offers a broad introduction to the subject. It builds on the strengths of the Oxford Theory Group in the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, the research interests of which currently include fundamental many-body quantum and statistical mechanics and applications to a range of condensed matter materials, molecular quantum mechanics and chemical reaction dynamics, and condensed matter computer simulation in both physical and biological contexts.
The course is designed to provide a focussed and coherent introduction to the quantum and statistical mechanics of chemical and related systems, at both the conceptual and practical levels. It consists of examined lecture courses, an introduction to computational chemistry, and a short dissertation (which normally describes a project of around four months duration).
It is suitable for those who intend to pursue research in the area, whether at Oxford or elsewhere; and will also provide a foundation for those wishing to enter industry with a firm grounding in modern theoretical techniques.
Contents
The programme will consist of lecture courses in mathematical methods, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, together with their applications to a range of chemical, physical and biological systems. Students will also gain experience of computational techniques, ranging from calculations on small molecule electronic structure and molecular collisions, to computer simulation methods for condensed phases.
The course will consist of three parts:
1. Lecture courses in
* Mathematics (24 lectures, terms 1 and 2)
* Quantum Mechanics (16 lectures, term 1 ('Michaelmas Term'))
* Statistical Mechanics (12 lectures, term 1)
* Applications of Quantum Mechanics (6 Lectures, term 2 ('Hilary Term'))
* Applications of Statistical Mechanics (8 Lectures, term 2)
* Many-Body Quantum Theory in Condensed Matter (9 lectures, term 3 ('Trinity Term'))
Each student will have a formal supervisor, who will oversee the student´s progress. The lecturers in mathematics will produce weekly problem sheets, which will be worked through in small classes with a tutor who is under the supervision of the lecturer. Other lecture courses will be supplemented by private reading and set problems.
Proficiency in mathematics will be assessed by a written examination. Other topics will be assessed by take-home exams at the end of the relevant course.
2. Computational Exercises
Computational exercises will be drawn from:
* Molecular electronic structure.
* Liquid state/condensed matter simulation.
These will be taken under the guidance of postdoctoral workers or expert graduate students, under the supervision of a member of academic staff. Proficiency will be judged on the basis of a report to the Coulson Professor of Theoretical Chemistry.
3. Dissertation Project
The project, which will typically be done over the summer term (Trinity) and summer vacation, may but need not be required to contain original research; it may for example involve critical appraisal of recent work in some branch of theoretical chemistry. Examination will be by a written dissertation and an oral examination.
Lectures will be supplemented where appropriate by problems classes. Students also have the opportunity to pursue a short research project, under the direct supervision of a member of academic staff; typically of about four months duration, and written up as a dissertation. Course assessment will be by tests in problem solving, by take-home examinations, and by an oral examination of the dissertation.
IELTS
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
Take testRequirements
Incoming students are expected to have at least a good undergraduate degree in chemistry or physics.
Applicants for the M.Sc. in Theoretical Chemistry are expected to have an adequate knowledge of mathematics, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, at approximately the levels of
* M. L. Boas, Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences, Chaps. 1-8
* P. W. Atkins and R. S. Friedman, Molecular Quantum Mechanics, Chaps. 1-10 (4th Ed.)
* P. W. Atkins, Physical Chemistry, Chaps. 19-20 (7th Ed)
* D. A. McQuarrie, Statistical Mechanics, Chaps. 1,2,4-6,8,9,
and to have some experience of computer programing in a high level language.
English Language Requirements
* IELTS: an overall score of 7.5
* TOEFL: an overall score of 630
* Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) Grade B.
Language Proficiency
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade A (Score: 80) |
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