ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 99 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 24 Interactive Classroom: 24 Total: 150
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Chemical Physics
Areas: Chemical Physics
Center Faculty of Physics
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
We are seeking for the students to reach a basic level of knowledge in theoretical and experimental aspects of Chemistry, as well as its relationship with Physics. The impact of Chemistry on Physics, and vice versa, will be highlighted, in order to understand the applicability of common principles in these close related branches of science.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
To make the student familiar with fundamental concepts of Chemistry, like the basic principles of classic thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium and bonding. These will be very useful for future courses of the degree.
To make the student understand the role of Chemistry in the current scientific scenario.
The student must know the problems that are the object of current study of Chemistry, as well as the methods developed to solve them.
To know the applicability of the fundamental laws of Chemistry to different situations.
LEARNING RESULTS:
Students are expected to acquire a basic theoretical and experimental knowledge level in Chemistry, as well as their relationship with Physics. It is about knowing the impact of Chemistry in Physics and vice versa. Understand the importance of the application of knowledge of Physics in this related branch of knowledge and the field of application in research both in its theoretical and applied aspects.
The student will demonstrate:
Become familiar with the basic concepts of Chemistry, such as fundamental aspects of classical thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium and chemical bonding, which will be very useful for subjects of later grades.
Understand the role of chemistry within the current scientific landscape.
To become familiar with the topics that Chemistry deals with, as well as with the methods developed by this branch of science to solve the problems it faces.
Know the application of the laws of Chemistry to particular cases, as well as their limitations.
The contents of the lessons that will be treated during this course, are the following:
1. BASIC PROPERTIES OF MATTER:
Introduction to the problems of chemistry: matter and transformations.
Atom, chemical elements: periodic table. The mol concept and the Avogadro number. Practial uses of the mol concept. Chemical compounds: formulation.
Periodical properties: size, electronic ionization and affinity.
2. ATOMIC STRUCTURE:
Interpretation and representation of atomic orbitals. Polielectronic atoms: electronic configuration.
3. CHEMICAL BOND
Lewis structures. Molecular shapes. Bonding energy. Hybridzation. Molecular orbital theory.
Liquids, solids and intermolecular forces (interaction potentials).
4. CHEMICAL REACTIONS:
Reactions in solution, concentrations, limiting reactant. Acid-base, redox and precipitation reaction.
5. INTRODUCTION TO CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM
Equilibrium constant. Le Chatelier law. Spontaneity criterion (Entropy, Enthalpy and Gibbs energy). Activity coefficients.
5. CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM IN SOLUTION
Arrhenius and Bronsted-Lowry theories. The pH scale. Acids/bases strong/weak. Ions as acids/bases. Lewis acid/base theory. Effects on the equilibrium: common ion, buffer solutions, neutralization curves.
Solubility constant. Precipitation.
7. ELECTROCHEMISTRY
Electrode potentials, standard and cell potentials.
Nerst equation. Batteries and fuel-cells. Electrolisis. Corrosion.
8. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Introduction to organic compounds and structures. Aromatic hydrocarbons. Alcohols, phenols and ethers. Aldehides and ketones. Carboxylic acids, esters, amides and amines.
Polymers
The distribution of the different subjects on theory or seminars will be communicated to the students at the beginning of the course.
To make easier for the student to follow the concepts explained in the classes, we will use a textbook:
R. H. Petrucci, F. G. Herring, J. D. Madura, C. Bissonnette, Química General, Pearson Educación, 10ª Edición 2011. This book is complemented by a very good web with examples and activities.
We also recommend:
- R. Chang, Química, McGraw Hill, 10ª Edición, 2010.
- P. W. Atkins, L. Jones, Principios de Química, Editorial Médica Panamericana, 5ª Edición, 2010.
- M. A. Domínguez Reboiras, Química: La ciencia básica, Thomson Editores, 2006.
BASIC AND GENERAL
CB1 - That students have demonstrated to possess and understand knowledge in an area of study that starts from the base of general secondary education, and is usually found at a level that, although supported by advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that imply knowledge coming from the vanguard of their field of study.
CB2 - That students know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the skills that are usually demonstrated through the elaboration and defense of arguments and the resolution of problems within their area of study.
CG3 - Apply both the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired as well as the capacity for analysis and abstraction in the definition and posing of problems and in the search for their solutions both in academic and professional contexts.
TRANSVERSAL
CT1 - Acquire analysis and synthesis capacity.
CT2 - Have the capacity for organization and planning.
CT5 - Develop critical reasoning.
SPECIFIC
CE2 - Be able to clearly handle orders of magnitude and make appropriate estimates in order to develop a clear perception of situations that, although physically different, show some analogy, allowing the use of known solutions to new problems.
CE5 - Be able to perform the essentials of a process or situation and establish a work model of it, as well as perform the required approaches in order to reduce the problem to a manageable level. He will demonstrate critical thinking to build physical models.
CE8 - Be able to manage, search and use bibliography, as well as any source of relevant information and apply it to research and technical development of projects
The contents will be presented in lectures, seminars and tutorials:
LARGE-GROUP LECTURES: The instructor will present the most fundamental aspects of the subject. There will be a brief summary after each topic, to relate them with other subjects of the degree. To make easier for the students to follow the classes the transparencies and notes will be at the disposal of the students on the web.
SEMINAR CLASES will involve small groups, and will be distributed in:
-Blackboard. Will be used to solve problems and discussions to clarify basic concepts of the theoretical classes. The problems will be given to the student at the beginning of the semester, for them to be studied in advance.
-Laboratory. There will be 2 practical clases of two hours each one. The profesor will give the students a lab guide, for them to understand the theoretical and practical aspects of the experiment. We try the student to understand better theoretical concepts and to become familiar with the laboratory instruments.
TUTORIALS may be presential or online. Online tutorials will be by appointment, whereas presential tutorials will preferentially be by appointment.
The evaluation system is based on the continuous evaluation of the student. The daily work of the student will be monitored and evaluated through the assessment of the following components:
- attendance to the theoretical classes, seminars and tutorials;
- active participation to seminars;
- oral presentations of topics proposed during tutorials;
- realization of written tests in the classroom.
All of these components (CE mark) will be evaluated with a final mark corresponding to 40% of the final mark. Moreover, the compulsory written final examination (EX mark), scheduled either on May and July, will count 60 of the final mark. A minimum mark of 3.5 over 10 is necessary in order to average with the CE mark.
The final grade will not be lower than that scored at the written final examination; the final grade will therefore be the higher mark between the following:
a) EX mark
b) 0.6 x EX mark + 0.4 x CE mark.
In cases of fraudulent activity in exams or tests, the “Normativa de evaluación del rendimiento académico de los estudiantes y de revisión de calificaciones” of the USC will be applied.
Each student must adjust the time devoted to the study of the subject according to the difficulty in understanding the concepts explained.
Chemistry is a 6 ECTS credit subject. The following table shows the equivalence of credits and personal work:
TASK...................PRESENCE HOURS................FACTOR.......WORK HOURS.........TOTAL HOURS
Theory classes...................32...........................1,5.................48.........................80
Seminars..........................20...........................1,5................30.........................50
Tutorials.............................4............................2,0..................8.........................12
Practical classes..................4............................1,0..................4...........................8
TOTAL...............................60................................................90........................150
It is recommended that the students already followed an introductory chemistry course (high-school).
It is also recommended that the students follow the activities that the instructors will propose periodically to evaluate the students. This continuous work of the student will consolidate the concepts acquired in the theoretical and seminar classes.
The lessons will be in Castilian/Galician.
Jesus Rodriguez Otero
- Department
- Chemical Physics
- Area
- Chemical Physics
- Phone
- 881814436
- r.otero [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Pedro Rodriguez Dafonte
Coordinador/a- Department
- Chemical Physics
- Area
- Chemical Physics
- Phone
- 881814307
- pedro.rodriguez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Rafael Enrique Ramos Amigo
- Department
- Chemical Physics
- Area
- Chemical Physics
- r.ramos [at] usc.es
- Category
- Researcher: Ramón y Cajal
Massimo Lazzari
- Department
- Chemical Physics
- Area
- Chemical Physics
- Phone
- 881815723
- massimo.lazzari [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
| Tuesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 6 |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 130 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 6 |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 130 |
| Thursday | |||
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 6 |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 130 |
| Friday | |||
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 6 |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 130 |
| 05.30.2025 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 0 |
| 05.30.2025 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 130 |
| 05.30.2025 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 6 |
| 05.30.2025 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 830 |
| 06.30.2025 09:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 0 |
| 06.30.2025 09:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 6 |
| 06.30.2025 09:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 830 |