A letter to professor for summer practice. Please correct my errors.

Would you be so kind and correct my letter? A big one... Sorry for that. I would be very happy and appreciate it!

Hello, dear Frank

Hello, dear Prof. Pupkin!

I am a 4-th year undegraduate student (of 5 year studying course) at Moscow University, Department of Chemistry. I am working at the laboratory of chemical thermodynamics. My current activity is theoretical computation (using quantum chemical methods) of thermodynamic and other properties such as spectroscopic and magnetic.

I am writing you in order to found out if it is possible to join your group next summer as SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships) student.

Hello, dear Frank

As I have already said, I am working in the laboratory of Chemical Thermodynamics of the Physical Chemistry Chair. Moreover, I am studying in special physical chemistry group with very deep mathematical and physical courses. For example, we have full separate courses: kinetics, thermodynamics, statistical thermodynamics, classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, quantum chemistry, molecular structure and spectroscopy. So, I possess knowledge in the field of quantum and computational chemistry. Besides, most of my current activity is coupled with computational chemistry. I am conducting different calculations of complicated systems. My objects are carboxilic binuclear complexes of transition metals with heteroaromatic ligands.

My major computational skills are: geometry optimization (including converging difficult cases), finding transition states, computation of hessian, vibrational frequencies, IR and Raman intensities, transition moments, spin-orbit couplings, evaluation of reaction energies; treatment of excited states, converging difficult SCF cases.
Due to big size of investigated objects, most calculations are performed by DFT method. I use many different functionals, including most popular hybrid B3LYP, PBE1, GGA PBE; and modern like meta-GGA TPSS and its hybrid analog TPSSh. So, I know their main advantages and disadvantages and have an experience of selection appropriate combination of functional and basis set for specific problem.
Hello, dear Frank
Besides, I use different ab initio methods, such as MP2, MP4, QCISD, CCSD, CCSD(T).

Moreover, I am familiar with multireference methods, starting from MCSCF (including CAS, RAS and ORMAS) and different correlation multireference methods: MRMP2, CASPT2, MCQDPT2, MRCC, MRCI and DDCI. So, I have some experience in solving problems, involving multireference character of the wave function. For example I used them for description of magnetic properties of my objects. I'd like to notice, that I can cope with main (in my opinion) problems of such calculations - selection of proper active space and initial guess orbitals.
I can work with different program packages for quantum chemistry: PC GAMESS-Firefly, GAMESS US, PRIRODA, MOLPRO, Orca and others. As you can see, I am familiar to both theoretical and practical aspects of computational chemistry. And both sides are of particular interest for me. I am interested both in application of methods and their developing and improving. Besides, I know C/C++ programming languages and can write some additional programs. I am advanced user of both Windows and Linux operation systems. Finally, I am familiar with HPC and have an experience of running, installing and debugging programs on clusters and supercomputers. And this field is also, very interesting for me.

I have no published articles yet, but I’m working on two articles: one on spectroscopic and one on magnetic properties of investigated compounds. Also, I have participated in XVII Mendeleev's young scientist conference and my work got 100 of 100 points.
Hello, dear Frank
Although, my major specialization is physical chemistry, I am good in other branches too: analytical, inorganic, organic, etc. I am doing well at university (GPA 4.9 of 5.0). I have gained quite valuable experience in chemistry. It can be confirmed by first and second diplomas, gold and silver medals, that I have won on several National and International Chemistry Olympiads. I am good both in theoretical and experimental chemistry. I have done many complicated synthesis of different organic, inorganic and coordination compounds. Also, I am familiar with IR, Raman (including both common and Raman microscope) and UV-visible spectroscopy.

I do not exactly know what I may be occupied by during summer 2009 while working in your lab but as this field is familiar to me I am sure everything will be very interesting and helpful for both sides. You may be sure I am qualified enough to conduct quite difficult and versatile research. I also guarantee to work very and very purposeful.

You can look additional information about me in attached CV.

I am sure, there wouldn't be any problems with communication, because I left English school.

Finally, I have already had a practice abroad. Last summer I have been to Australia and have been working as senior scientist at Newcastle Technology Center for three months.
Hello, dear Frank
Letters of recommendation:
Upon request letters of recommendation are available from Dr. Vasya V. Pupkin (Email Removed">v@mail) - my supervisor, who currently works at Instituite in Dresden, Dr. Lena A. Ivanova (Email Removed">li@mail) - my local supervisor.


Please feel free to contact me for any details.

Hope I will not disturb you much with my letter.

I look forward to receiving your reply.

Best regards,
Max