CHM228H1

Mathematical Methods for Chemical Sciences

The use of mathematics as a language to describe chemical systems is prevalent across all fields of chemistry, such as in expressing reaction yields, assessing molecular symmetry, predicting and validating reaction mechanisms, and modeling molecular properties. This course is designed to equip Chemistry program students with the mathematical foundations needed in upper-year chemistry courses, with a particular focus on physical chemistry principles. Topics will include a brief review of common functions and coordinate systems, and will cover selected topics in complex numbers, multivariable calculus, scalar and vector algebra, matrix algebra, operators, eigenvectors and eigenvalues, differential equations, and special interest topics as time permits. The course material will be delivered within the context of chemistry concepts such as ideal gases, reaction rates, thermodynamic functions, and quantum mechanical systems. Emphasis will be placed on mastering foundational concepts and developing problem-solving strategies tailored to chemical applications.