Chemistry: Molecular Driving Forces and Chemical Bonding

Education facts

Code: KEMM30

<p>Dive into the atomic and nanoscale world and learn how molecules and atoms interact and bond with each other. Get a grip on temperature and why it is so important in controlling balances in chemistry and living cells. We cover spectroscopy, quantum chemistry, intermolecular interactions, statistical thermodynamics, and a primer on using Python programming in chemistry.</p><p>KEMM30. The course provides a fundamental framework for describing (bio)molecules and their interactions from a microscopic perspective. This includes quantum chemistry, statistical thermodynamics, intermolecular interaction, and spectroscopy. The student gain insight into chemical bonding, molecular properties, and how these relate to thermodynamics, temperature and interactions in solution.</p> <p>The student will learn how spectroscopy and models of intermolecular interactions can be used to understand the properties of biomolecules, such as proteins, DNA and membranes. Concepts such as hydrophobic interactions, co-operative binding, depletion interactions, hydrogen bonding, electrical double layer will be treated.</p> <p>To handle large data sets, generated either from experiments, simulations, or database searches, the student will acquire basic programming and scripting skills to handle, analyze and present complex data.</p> <h3><strong>Course content</strong></h3> <p><em>Lectures:</em> Quantum chemistry and statistical thermodynamics, including a statistical interpretation of entropy, ensembles. The course highlights fundamental contributions to interactions between atoms, (bio)molecules and surfaces. The course also includes basic programming/scripts for import and analysis of complex data, assembly, visualization, and presentation of data. The basics of rotational, vibration and electronic spectroscopy, both in absorption and emission as well as basic concepts, Raman spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy are also treated.</p> <p><em>Exercises and assignments </em>illustrate and exemplify the concepts introduced and discussed in the lectures. </p> <p><em>Laboratory work </em>illustrate and exemplify the concepts introduced in the lectures and may be experimental or computational. Students are trained in report writing and peer review where other reports are assessed and constructive feedback is exchanged.</p>

Entry requirements

General eligibility, English proficiency corresponding to English 6/B from Swedish upper secondary school, and 90 ECTS credits in science courses including courses equivalent to: KEMA20 General Chemistry 15 credits, KEMA01 Organic Chemistry- Basic Course 7.5 credits, KEMA03 Biochemistry- Basic Course 7.5 credits, KEMB09 Physical Chemistry- Basic Course 15 credits, and MATA03 Mathematics for Scientists 1, 15 credits. Or General eligibility, English proficiency corresponding to English 6/B from Swedish upper secondary school, and courses equivalent to: 75 ECTS credits in physics including knowledge corresponding to FYSC11 Atomic and Molecular Physics 7.5 credits and FYSC13 Solid State Physics 7.5 credits, and 30 ECTS credits in mathematics. Students who have obtained the equivalent knowledge by other means may also be admitted to the course.

Education offerings

Each offering has its own dates and conditions. Closed offerings are retained as history and do not mean that a new application is open.

• Chemistry: Molecular Driving Forces and Chemical Bonding

  Lund University

  Start date: 31 August 2026

  End date: 1 November 2026

  Pace of study: 100 %