Quantum Chemistry

Full course description

This course will introduce students to the foundations of quantum mechanics and its application in  chemistry. It will start with the introduction of quantum mechanics through the analysis of Stern-Gerlach  spin measurements to allow students to learn about the Dirac and matrix notation. The basic postulates     of quantum mechanics will be introduced through their manifestation in the Stern-Gerlach experiments. Subsequently, traditional wave-function aspects of quantum mechanics will be studied via a few exactly  solvable models - a particle in a box, the hydrogen atom, the harmonic oscillator, with a view to emphasizing their connections to the basic postulates. The course will conclude by presenting the basics  of approximation methods, such as variational method and perturbation theory and their application to multielectron systems.