9 ECTS credits
235 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 1015506ANR for all students in the 1st semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.
Physical and Inorganic Chemistry :
Ch1 Elementary chemistry and chemical calculations
Ch2 Atomic structure and the periodic table of Mendeljev
Ch3 Ionic compounds: the electrostatic bond
Ch4 Molecules: the covalent bond
Ch5 The atomic nucleus: radioactivity and nuclear chemistry
Ch6 Macroscopic properties of matter: aggregation states and phase equilibria
Ch7 The chemical reaction: kinetics and equilibrium
In the seminars problem solving sessions are organized comprising all chapters.
Practicals: after two introductory lab sessions, redox-titrations and phase-equilibria (azeotropy) are studied.
A complete text including the exercises (problems, numerical results and detailed solutions of selected problems and hints for solutions for Chapter 1 (Elementary Chemistry and Chemical Calculations) has been edited by the Dienst Uitgaven V.U.B. : P. GEERLINGS : Chemie:bouw van de materie en chemische reacties en Aanvullingen van Chemie (3 volumes). Further references are cited in this text. Basic references are :
P.W. Atkins en L. Jones, "Chemical Principles. The Quest for Insight", Third Edition, W.H. Freeman and Co, New York, 1999.and J. McMurry "Organic Chemistry", Sixth Edition, Brooks Cole Thomson Learning,Belmont, California 2004.
Transparencies used during the lectures are available in electronic version through the Pointcarré platform.
Complementary study material:
A kit for the construction of molecular models is provided in the "Centrum voor Studie en Begeleiding"- it may also be purchased in the VUB-bookshop.
Learning Aims
This course aims at providing an insight into the microscopic structure of matter (structure of the nucleus, atoms, molecules, ionic compounds, ...), as well as in its macroscopic aspects (properties of matter in bulk : state properties and transitions).The impact of the interactions between particles (molecules), the so-called intermolecular forces, which assure the transition between the microscopic and the macroscopic world; is detailed. The basic knowledge which has been built up during this part of the chemistry course, the physical chemistry, is gradually applied in the study of inorganic compounds and their reactions. Also an introduction to organic chemistry is given paying particular attention to the structure of organic compounds. Throughout the course a systematic, rational approach has been pursued. Understanding is far more important than encyclopeadical knowledge; by far the most importance is payed to the structuring of the data. Memorizing the course is clearly not the object; it should be minimalized. During the "seminars" (guided problem sessions) and the lab sessions, the concepts that were introduced during the theoretical course are practised and illustrated. Theory and practice - lectures, seminars and the lab course are maximally integrated.
Competences
Having a basic knowledge of and insight into the atomic structure of matter, the relation between the atomic/molecular world and the macrosopic properties of matter and the most important reaction types in inorganic chemistry.
Having the ability to apply this knowledge when studying the very basics of organic chemistry.
Showing a critical attitude towards the models used.
Solving simple problems using in a correct way concepts and laws, with correct numerical computations and a critical attitude towards the results.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The final mark for this course is composed out of two partial scores, a score on “theory” (75 % of the overall mark) and a partial score on “laboratory” (25 % of the overall mark).
If, for the part on “theory” or the part on “laboratory”, a score of 7/20 or less was obtained, the final score for the course will not be higher than 07/20.
Theory
The score for the part on “theory” is composed of the partial scores of the student for the written and oral examination
In a written exam paper (accounting for 2/3 or 66.6 % of the mark on “theory”), identical for all students, it is attempted to obtain a global view of knowledge and insight in the subject by means of a lot of small open questions (theory as well as problems). During the oral examination (accounting for 1/3 or 33.3% of the mark on “theory”), a few days later, this view is refined through a discussion concerning theoretical questions after the student has had the occasion for a written preparation. Synthetic, analytic and problem solving skills are assessed in this way.
If a score of 7/20 or less was obtained on either the written or oral exam of the “theory” part, the score of the “theory” part will not be higher than 7/20.
A "tentamen" (written exam paper) is organized concerning Chapters 1 to 3 (included). Its structure is identical to that of the written exam so that the student gets used to this type of exams. If a score higher than the score for the “theory” part in january is obtained it may be included for 20% in the mark on “theory”. In the second examination session, the score on the “tentamen” is not taken into account.
Labsessions
The mark for “laboratory” (25% of the overall mark) is based on permanent evaluation (50% of the mark; mark on preparation of the labs, lab attitude and execution, written lab reports) and specific questions during the written exam (50 %).
Participation in the lab sessions is obligatory. Incomplete participation to these sessions will give rise to a reduction of the mark for this part depending on the percentage of incomplete participations.
Unauthorized absences amounting to 30 % or more will automatically give rise to a mark of 0/20 for the permanent evaluation part and 0/20 for the total mark for “laboratory”.
For the lab sessions, there is no possibility for a second examination session; only the theory part which was included in the written examination can be retaken in the second examination session. The mark for the permanent evaluation, which is obtained during the academic year, is automatically taken over from the first examination session.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Chemistry: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Bioengineering Sciences: Profile Cell and Gene Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Bioengineering Sciences: Profile Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Bioengineering Sciences: Initial track (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: geografie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: fysica (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: wiskunde (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: ingenieurswetenschappen (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)