CHEM 4010
Physical Chemistry I
Introduction to quantum chemistry with applications to electronic structure and elementary spectroscopy. Prerequisites: Chem 106/112A and Math 233; prior completion of Physics 191 and 192 is strongly encouraged (but concurrent enrollment in Physics I will be accepted); or permission of instructor. Required course for all Chemistry majors.
Instructors
Reviews
2-4 hrs/week
Really interesting class. It helps a lot if you know math. Definitely very doable, I learned so much and loved the content
1/12/2025
The course is difficult, but she is incredibly helpful. She has lots of self-made materials. She is really trying to help you.
7/17/2024
Dr. Head-Marsden is an amazing professor! The material is tough but her lectures are very helpful and she is extremely accessible for help when you need it. She is very receptive to class feedback and will adjust the lecture schedule and deadlines to meet the needs of her students. Her supplemental notes and office hours are also amazing!
2/11/2024
Professor Head-Marsden systematically taught quantum chemistry from ideal models to the approximation methods in this class. The in-class teaching is fast-paced and interesting. Provided materials are sufficient and the professor offered abundant office hours to help. Some of the questions in the Problem Sets and exams were challenging!
1/2/2024
I love Dr. Head-Marsden as a person. Full of energy. She even makes fun of her mistakes. She goes too fast in lecture, and if you are not a math major you will miss the details. I ended up spending more time thinking about the calculus and next to no time on the meaning of it all. I would like to retake this paying attention to the latter.
12/22/2023
Pchem 1 was a tough class but totally doable if you put the time in. The exams are math heavy (as you would expect for ~physical~ chemistry) but be sure you have a detailed fundamental understanding of the topics discussed in class because most/many of the points are found in setting up the math. Go into pchem with a fresh mindset: you've got this!
12/20/2023
Kade is the single best science professor I've had at WashU - and it's not even close. She is the crown jewel of the chemistry department and she deserves a perfect review. I have never had a professor teach chemistry in such an understandable way. She is the definition of a teacher who is not out to get you. Love love love
12/18/2023
Dr. Head-Marsden was an excellent lecturer and made the physical chemistry material much more accessible than it would have been otherwise. Although the homework and tests were difficult, she was very accessible to answer questions and provide assistance. It should be mentioned she is a theorist though, so the class is math heavy.
5/10/2023
PChem is very hard, but Kade made the class fun! I was honestly dreading this class, but between her knowledgeable and very clear lecture style as well as how open she was to helping students outside of class, I actually liked it. I really like the group work style of office hours, and appreciated how she valued effort over genius. Top tier prof.
1/28/2023
Kade is the type of professor that makes a hard class easier to get through. It's a very math-heavy class, but she explains everything very clearly. She is very organized -- posts summary/extra notes almost every week for reference. She's very accessible out of class through office hours and emails and clearly wants you to do well.
1/19/2023
goated prof. very interesting to learn math origin of some gen chem info. somewhat difficult content but grading is too fair so ye. very organized and lots of office hours etc and nice.
12/29/2022
Chem401 is my favorite class in this semester. It opened my eyes to quantum mechanics and promoted me to view chemistry in a novel perspective that I never thought about. I cannot imagine how Dr. Kade organized the materials for this challenging course into weekly notes that clearly summarized the key concepts for the class. Highly recommended!
12/28/2022
Pchem I is an incredibly dificult class - do the HWs, if you do it right they will help you. Office Hours are a must. the only way to do well is to work hard.
1/15/2008
It is only halfway through the semester, but he is good. A bit hard, but a good mix of math with physics and now chemistry. I wish I had him for Chem 111...that would have been a blast. Rock on Loomis.
10/16/2007
A really difficult, but excellent course. Loomis is great. To learn from someone like him is why I came to Wash. U. I can't imagine a better Quantum course. I wish that I could have him in other courses.
12/27/2006
He is HARD! Somehow he knows when we're lost and he spends the time to get us up to speed. A mean of 50 on exams is daunting, but he knows that if you get a 50 you know more than 50% of the material. I have had great profs here, but he is the best. He has convinced me to go to grad school for Phys. Chem. Take this class, be prepared to work.
10/28/2006