Course code:
131A1		 Course name:
Fundamentals of Geometric Crystallography

Academic year:

2019/2020.

Attendance requirements:

There are no requirements.

ECTS:

4

Study level:

basic academic studies, integrated basic and graduate academic studies

Study programs:

Chemistry: 1. year, summer semester, elective (E11H1) course

Biochemistry: 1. year, summer semester, elective (E11B1) course

Environmental Chemistry: 1. year, summer semester, elective (E11S1) course

Chemical Education: 1. year, summer semester, elective (E11P1) course

Teacher:

Tamara R. Todorović, Ph.D.
full professor, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, Beograd

Assistant:

Božidar R. Čobeljić, Ph.D.
associate professor, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, Beograd

Hours of instruction:

Weekly: two hours of lectures + one hour of exercises (2+1+0)

Goals:

Introducing students to the fundamentals of crystallography, helping students acquire basic theoretical knowledge of the symmetry of molecules and crystals and the principles of determining molecular and crystal structure using the method of X-ray diffraction. Providing students with the knowledge which would be a good foundation for better comprehension of the topics covered within some other specialized chemistry courses within undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate studies.

Outcome:

After they have successfully passed the exam students will be able to:

  • distinguish between crystalline and amorphous solid substances;
  • distinguish between the elements and operations of symmetry;
  • apply symmetry operations to various pattern motifs;
  • recognize the elements of symmetry in the models of some simple crystalline structures;
  • describe 3D periodicity of the structures of crystals;
  • find a connection between the crystal structure and the properties of some simple inorganic and organic substances;
  • use crystallographic programs and databases (elementary level).

Teaching methods:

Lectures and practical classes.

Extracurricular activities:

Doing homework assignments. Searching crystallographic databases.

Coursebooks:

Main coursebooks:

  • Lecture material available to students via the student portal.
  • B. Prelesnik, K. Anđelković, D. Radanović, T. Todorović: Zbirka zadataka iz kristalografije i rendgenske strukturne analize, Hemijski fakultet, Beograd, 2007. ISBN 978-86-7220-029-4

Supplementary coursebooks:

  • B. Prelesnik: Elementi kristalografije i rendgenostrukturne analize, skripta za internu upotrebu.
  • Richard J. D. Tilley: Crystals and Crystal Structures, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2006.

Additional material:

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  Course activities and grading method

Lectures:

10 points (2 hours a week)

Syllabus:

  1. Introductory lecture ‒ Looking at the world through X-ray glasses.
  2. Characteristics of solid state. Introduction to symmetry.
  3. Operations and elements of symmetry (elementary level).
  4. Examples of the elements of symmetry ‒ proper axes of rotation, inversion center and plane of symmetry.
  5. Elements of symmetry – symmetry diagrams – part I
  6. Elements of symmetry – symmetry diagrams – part II
  7. Symmetry and point groups (elementary level).
  8. Crystalline lattice. Unit cell. Planar and spatial lattices.
  9. Notation for describing directions and planes (elementary level).
  10. Bragg’s law.
  11. Plane and space groups (elementary level).
  12. Packing in crystal structures (elementary level).
  13. Principles of determining molecular and crystal structure using the method of X-ray diffraction (elementary level).
  14. Crystallographic software packages and databases (elementary level).
  15. Selected examples of simple crystal structures of inorganic and organic substances.

Exercises:

15 points (1 hour a week)

Colloquia:

25 points

Homework:

0 points

Written exam:

50 points