Course content

The course gives an introduction to symmetry of periodical structures. Important inorganic structure types are presented and categorized according to sterical bonding principles. Structural topology and bond-valence concepts are used to understand and predict crystal structures. Visualization of structural relations is based on crystal structure databases and structure-drawing programs.

Learning outcome

On successful completion of this course you are able to:

  • Understand the space-group information in the International Tables for Crystallography; symmetry operations, symbols and matrix notations.
  • Perform unit-cell transformations and use data tools to find similarity between structures.
  • Notate connectivity patterns of atoms and their coordination polyhedra with chemical, mathematical and graphical formulas.
  • Use valence rules to predict bonding in crystal structures of elements, binaries, and pseudobinaries such as clusters.
  • Identify densest packed structures, atomic or molecular, and analyze them as polytypes. Find patterns in interstice filling in densest packed binary compounds. Understand steric consequences of hydrogen bonding between molecules.
  • Understand the origins of the concept of ionic radii, its pitfalls and use as a prediction tool.
  • Use bond valence as a tool to interpret and predict crystal structures.
  • Analyze the rich compositional and structural variety of perovskites and silicates, in terms of nomenclature and crystal-chemical formulas.

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

KJM1120 - Inorganic chemistry and MAT1001 - Mathematics for applications I

Overlapping courses

Teaching

The course comprises 36 hours of lectures and 12 hours of seminars.

The first lecture is mandatory. If you are unable to attend, the Expedition Office has to be informed in advance (phone 22 85 54 46). If you fail to register as an active student for the course in either of these ways, you will loose the access to the course for the given semester.

Examination

Oral exam counts 100 %.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

This course offers new examination in the beginning of the subsequent term for candidates who fail an ordinary examination. Deferred examinations for students who due to illness or other valid reason of absence were unable to sit for their final exams will be arranged at the same time. (These valid reasons has to be documented within given deadlines.). We do not offer new examination for students who withdraw from the exam.

For general information about new and deferred examination, see the faculty's pages about retaking exams.

More information about examination at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences can be found here.

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Level
Master
Teaching
Autumn 2014

The course may be cancelled if less than 5 students apply. the course will change course code to KJM-MENA5110 starting from the fall of 2014.

Examination
Autumn 2014

Every third semester.

Teaching language
Norwegian (English on request)

English if requested.