Quantum Chemistry V — Research Practice
Courses
The judgment layer: which method, which basis, what error bar, and how to know when a number is trustworthy. Ends with the research-grade certificate moment — reproducing a published table with a documented workflow.
Quantum Chemistry V — Research PracticeCourse cleared — every checkpoint passed 🎉0/0 units cleared · 0/0 questions · 15 planned · ~10h
Basis sets as a craft
plannedFamilies, polarization, diffuse functions, CBS extrapolation, BSSE.
- lessonPople, Dunning, Karlsruhe: reading basis-set names like a nativeplanned
- projectProject — Two-point CBS extrapolation on real dataplanned
- projectProject — BSSE and the counterpoise correctionplanned
Method selection
plannedThe accuracy/cost map and the judgment to use it.
- lessonThe map: HF → MP2 → CCSD(T) | the DFT rungsplanned
- lessonWhen MP2 lies, when DFT lies, and the diagnostics that warn youplanned
- exercisesExercises — Pick the method, defend the choiceplanned
Running real calculations
plannedPySCF workflows and reading outputs like a practitioner.
- readingReading — PySCF Basics (by diff)planned
- readingReading — Geometry Optimization (by diff)planned
- exercisesExercises — Here is the output; what went wrong? (diagnosis set)planned
Thermochemistry
plannedFrom electronic energies to enthalpies someone can measure.
- lessonZPE, thermal corrections, atomization energiesplanned
- lessonComposite methods: Gn and Wn as recipesplanned
- projectProject — A reaction enthalpy, end to endplanned
Benchmarking discipline
plannedReference sets, MAD/RMSD honesty, and error cancellation with eyes open.
- lessonG2, S22, GMTKN: what reference sets are forplanned
- exercisesExercises — Error analysis on benchmark dataplanned
Capstone: reproduce a paper
plannedThe research-grade certificate: a published table, reproduced with a documented workflow.
- projectCapstone — Reproduce a table from the literatureplanned