ID:
508720
Duration (hours):
48
CFU:
6
SSD:
MINERALOGIA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (22/09/2025 - 16/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Objectives.
Acquisition of the concepts and tools necessary for the description of crystalline substances and therefore for the understanding of the structural complexity of extended and molecular solids. Ability to analyze and interpret the three-dimensional structure of a crystal, in terms of geometry, symmetry and energy. Ability to use crystallographic databases.
Learning Outcomes.
• Knowledge and understanding skills
Understanding of the symmetry of crystalline solids and knowledge of all elements of symmetry needed to classify and describe crystal structures. Knowledge of spatial group types and ability to read International Tables for Crystallography. Understanding of the influence of crystal symmetry on material properties. Understanding and knowledge of the basic principles of X diffraction.
• Applying knowledge and understanding skills
Be able to apply the acquired knowledge of symmetry by following international conventions and notations to describe, represent and interpret crystal structures.
Be able to design a diffraction experiment to characterize a crystalline material.
Be able to master the essential tools of diffraction data analysis.
Be able to interpret crystallographic data in scientific publications.
Ability to use crystallographic databases. Ability to use software for three-dimensional representation of crystalline structures.
• Autonomy of judgment
Critically evaluate the quality of a structural characterization.
• Communication skills
Ability to expound course content in appropriate scientific language.
• Learning skills
Ability to transfer knowledge and independently investigate the concepts and applications of crystallography for the study of crystalline materials and their properties, using scientific literature.
Acquisition of the concepts and tools necessary for the description of crystalline substances and therefore for the understanding of the structural complexity of extended and molecular solids. Ability to analyze and interpret the three-dimensional structure of a crystal, in terms of geometry, symmetry and energy. Ability to use crystallographic databases.
Learning Outcomes.
• Knowledge and understanding skills
Understanding of the symmetry of crystalline solids and knowledge of all elements of symmetry needed to classify and describe crystal structures. Knowledge of spatial group types and ability to read International Tables for Crystallography. Understanding of the influence of crystal symmetry on material properties. Understanding and knowledge of the basic principles of X diffraction.
• Applying knowledge and understanding skills
Be able to apply the acquired knowledge of symmetry by following international conventions and notations to describe, represent and interpret crystal structures.
Be able to design a diffraction experiment to characterize a crystalline material.
Be able to master the essential tools of diffraction data analysis.
Be able to interpret crystallographic data in scientific publications.
Ability to use crystallographic databases. Ability to use software for three-dimensional representation of crystalline structures.
• Autonomy of judgment
Critically evaluate the quality of a structural characterization.
• Communication skills
Ability to expound course content in appropriate scientific language.
• Learning skills
Ability to transfer knowledge and independently investigate the concepts and applications of crystallography for the study of crystalline materials and their properties, using scientific literature.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of mathematics, physics and chemistry is required as covered in the first year Chemistry courses.
Teaching Methods
The course consists of lectures, practical exercises aimed at applying the theoretical concepts presented as well as interactive lessons that include the use of crystallographic software and databases.
Assessment Methods
The exam consists of an oral test. The test will focus on at least three distinct topics. The student will have to demonstrate that she/he has integrated the knowledge acquired in the sections in which the course is articulated, to be able to critically discuss it and thus have achieved the proposed educational objectives. The evaluation will be based on the degree of understanding and depth of the proposed topics and will take into account the capability of using the appropriate scientific language
Texts
The slides projected during the course in PDF format and all materials used during the lectures are made available and shared through KIRO.
In addition to the shared material, the student can expand on the topics covered by referring to the following textbooks.
Symmetry:
C. Hammond, The Basics of Crystallography and Diffraction, 4th edition , Oxford University Press, 2015
M. Glazer & G. Burns, Space Groups for Solid State Scientists, Academic Press; 3rd edition
Crystal Structure Analysis:
J.P. Glusker & K.N. Trueblood, Crystal Structure Analysis - A Primer, 3rd edition, Oxford Univ. Press, 2010
W. Clegg, editor , Crystal structure analysis: principles and practice, second edition, 2009
Advanced textbooks:
U. Shmueli, Theories and techniques of crystal structure determination, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press, 2009
C. Giacovazzo, Fundamentals of Crystallography, 3rd Edition, Oxford University Press, 2011
Further readings
M.A. Glazer, Crystallography: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, 2016
In addition to the shared material, the student can expand on the topics covered by referring to the following textbooks.
Symmetry:
C. Hammond, The Basics of Crystallography and Diffraction, 4th edition , Oxford University Press, 2015
M. Glazer & G. Burns, Space Groups for Solid State Scientists, Academic Press; 3rd edition
Crystal Structure Analysis:
J.P. Glusker & K.N. Trueblood, Crystal Structure Analysis - A Primer, 3rd edition, Oxford Univ. Press, 2010
W. Clegg, editor , Crystal structure analysis: principles and practice, second edition, 2009
Advanced textbooks:
U. Shmueli, Theories and techniques of crystal structure determination, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press, 2009
C. Giacovazzo, Fundamentals of Crystallography, 3rd Edition, Oxford University Press, 2011
Further readings
M.A. Glazer, Crystallography: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, 2016
Contents
The crystalline state. Crystallographic point and space-group symmetry operations. Symmetry elements: geometric elements and element sets. Crystal lattice vs. crystal pattern and crystal structure. Symmetry directions in a lattice. Unit cells: primitive cells, multiple cells, conventional cells in 2D and 3D. Crystal families. Symmetry groups and types of symmetry in direct space: symmetry of lattices; symmetry of the unit cell content; symmetry of crystallographic patterns, Hermann-Mauguin symbols for point groups. Types of crystallographic point groups through the stereographic projection.
Space groups and their description in International Tables for Crystallography, Vol. A. Classification of space groups: Lattice systems and crystal systems. Hermann-Mauguin symbols for space groups. Synoptic tables of plane and space groups.
Introduction to the theory of diffraction. Laue equations and the relationship between diffraction vectors and reciprocal lattice vectors. Bragg condition. Ewald sphere. Atomic scattering factors. Structure factor and electronic density. Friedel's law.
Methods for crystal structures solution. Diffraction as a Fourier transform of a density function. Structural model and its refinement. Anomalous dispersion and determination of absolute configuration. Derivation and presentation of results. The Crystallographic Information Framework.
Use of crystallographic databases. Introduction to crystallization and crystal growth methods.
Space groups and their description in International Tables for Crystallography, Vol. A. Classification of space groups: Lattice systems and crystal systems. Hermann-Mauguin symbols for space groups. Synoptic tables of plane and space groups.
Introduction to the theory of diffraction. Laue equations and the relationship between diffraction vectors and reciprocal lattice vectors. Bragg condition. Ewald sphere. Atomic scattering factors. Structure factor and electronic density. Friedel's law.
Methods for crystal structures solution. Diffraction as a Fourier transform of a density function. Structural model and its refinement. Anomalous dispersion and determination of absolute configuration. Derivation and presentation of results. The Crystallographic Information Framework.
Use of crystallographic databases. Introduction to crystallization and crystal growth methods.
Course Language
Italian
More information
With reference to the guidelines for teaching methods (a.y. 2025/2026), for students enrolled in the course who certify that they are in one of the conditions listed in Appendix A, up to 2 hours of tuition per week, also online, will be arranged. The tution must be arranged by e-mail at least one week in advance. The examination procedures will remain unchanged.
Degrees
Degrees
Chemistry
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
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