The module will provide a fundamental understanding of the nature of intermolecular forces, across a wide cross-section of subject areas, in particular with respect to their application from biology through to designed supramolecular chemical systems. The module will present a firm theoretical foundation in the nature and thermodynamics of (covalent and weak non-covalent) intermolecular forces, including solvation effects and co-operativity, illustrated with examples of molecular organisation, assembly and recognition in biological and supramolecular systems. In addition to appreciating the rich chemistry underlying self-assembling systems, students will gain an insight into fundamental quantitative aspects of a variety of physical phenomena that impact on the properties of materials, stability of assemblies, effects of solvation and solubility, complex assemblies and ligand interactions in biology.

Understand fundamental aspects of the nature of intermolecular forces, across a wide cross-section of subject areas from biology through to supramolecular chemical systems. The module will present a firm theoretical foundation in the nature and thermodynamics of (covalent and weak non-covalent) intermolecular forces illustrated with examples of molecular organisation, assembly and recognition in biological and supramolecular systems. In addition to appreciating the rich chemistry underlying self-assembling systems, students will gain an insight into fundamental quantitative aspects of a variety of physical phenomena that impact on the properties of materials and important interactions in biology.