Duration
20h Th, 20h Pr
Number of credits
| Bachelor in chemistry | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Introduction to polymer materials.
This course comprises:
- a general introduction of the specific basics for the polymer chemists allowing to describe the structure and the properties of these materials
- a description of the main families of materials and their applications and processing methods
- the study of the synthesis of polymers via step growth and chain mechanisms (including radical, anionic and coordination).
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Understanding the basic tools of macromolecular chemistry to be able to:
- suggest one type of materials for a targeted application on the basis of their physico-chemical properties
- understand the structure/properties relationship of these types of materials
- discuss their synthesis
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Bases in general and organic chemistry
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Face-to-face lectures will introduce the concepts. Classroom demonstrations and video clips will illustrate these theoretical lessons.
Lab sessions organized by Dr. Antoine Debuigne:
Practical laboratory works are scheduled in order to get a practical approach of the main notions of macromolecular chemistry
Their topics are:
- structure/properties relationships of these materials
- macromolecular synthesis and characterization
- properties, processing and applications relationships of these materials
Laboratory work organization:
The practical laboratory sessions will take place in small groups through collaborative work. Each team will be responsible for developing a project linked to a specific theme, designed to illustrate some fundamental concepts of polymer chemistry and technology. Emphasis will be placed on experimental work, critical interpretation of results, and connexion to the theoretical notions studied in class.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Face-to-face
Course materials and recommended or required readings
A copy of slides is available on e-campus
Exam(s) in session
May-June exam session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
August-September exam session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Written work / report
Other : Oral presentation of the lab project
Further information:
Written evaluation to check the learning outcomes of the course.
In addition to the written exam during the exam period, practical work will be included in the overall course grade:
- a written report will be required descriibing the performed experiments, discussing the collected results and the main conclusions of the project.
- each group is also expected to deliver a scientific presentation on the work completed in the lab sessions (TP) to the whole class. The latter should outline the initial problem, present the experimental techniques used, illustrate the results in a structured and critical way, and explain the underlying theoretical concepts. This exercise is designed to develop both scientific skills (rigor, critical thinking, integration of theory and practice) and soft skills (oral communication, teamwork, synthesis). The presentation will be evaluated and part of the final grade.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
During the exam period, a written exam will be held. The oral exam during the exam period has been replaced by an oral presentation of the lab project, which will take place at the end of these practicals before the exam period.
Contacts
Prof. Christine Jérôme
Centre d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Macromolecules CERM
Université de Liège,
Sart-Tilman B6 4000 Liège Tel. : 32-(0)4-3663491
e-mail : c.jerome@uliege.be
Lab work:
Dr. Antoine Debuigne
Centre d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Macromolecules CERM
Université de Liège,
Sart-Tilman B6 4000 Liège Tel. : 32-(0)4-3663466
e-mail : adebuigne@uliege.be