Spring 2026 - CHEM 440 D100
Solid State Materials Chemistry (3)
Class Number: 5852
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, Thu, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Zuo-guang Ye
zye@sfu.ca
778-782-8064
Office: SCC9076
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Prerequisites:
CHEM 340 with a minimum grade of C-.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
The study of the detailed chemistry of solid state inorganic materials in terms of crystal structures, bonding, preparative methods, analytical and characterization techniques, mixed valence states, solid solutions, defects and non-stoichiometry, molecular mechanisms of the optical, electronic, ionic, magnetic and dielectric properties, and materials applications in advanced technology. Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
Please note, this course outline was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change.
Combined graduate course: CHEM 740 - Solid State Materials Chemistry (3)
Mode of Teaching:
3 lecture hours/week; 1 tutorial hour/week
Lecture: In-person at Burnaby campus
Tutorial: In-person at Burnaby campus
Prerequisites: CHEM 340, or Permission of the Instructor.
Topics:
1. Crystal structures, symmetry and properties.
2. Bonding in solids, molecular orbitals and band structures.
3. Solid state synthetic methods and applications of phase diagrams.
4. X-ray diffraction and other analytical and characterization techniques.
5. Crystal defects, non-stoichiometry and solid solutions.
6. Transition metal oxides and mixed valence states.
7. Electronic and ionic properties.
8. Dielectric and ferroelectric properties.
9. Magnetic and optical properties.
Grading
- Homework/Assignments 15%
- Midterm Exam 30%
- Term Paper/Seminar Presentation 20%
- Final Exam (or Second Midterm Exam) 35%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Anthony R. West. Solid State Chemistry and its Applications. 2nd Edition. 2014. Publisher: Wiley.
ISBN: 9781118676257
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
A grade of C- or better is required for all prerequisite courses.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.