Duration
12h Th, 4h Mon. WS, 0,5d Vis.
Number of credits
| Bachelor in chemistry | 2 crédits |
Lecturer
Caroline Collette, Gauthier Eppe, Catherine Henrist, Jean-Christophe Monbaliu
Coordinator
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
The course addresses the interactions between chemistry, the environment and society through thematic modules, guest lectures, and a field visit.
Modules and topics:
Module I - General introduction (2 h)
- Context and objectives of the course (presentation of the program, pedagogical commitments, and visits)
- Introduction to scientific literature: information literacy, search and reference tools (with links to the English course, year 2)
- Major industrial accidents, public health crises related to environmental pollution, and lessons learned
- Concrete examples: waste management, food safety
- Risk assessment
- EU directives and regulations and their implementation in Member States
- Example: REACH regulation
- Historical context
- The principles of Green Chemistry according to Paul Anastas, with illustrations
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Environmental metrics (air, water, soil)
- Metrics of chemical processes
- Tutorial session: guidance for bibliographic research in preparation for the guest lectures and support for formulating questions
- Comfort and life expectancy
- In-class debate
- Individual bibliographic research in preparation for the guest lectures
- Preparation of at least one question per lecture
- Lecture 1: to be determined
- Lecture 2: to be determined
Visit to an industrial site (e.g. wastewater treatment plant, incineration/biomethanation facility, industrial or metallurgical recycling). The choice of site will be made in consultation with the coordinators to avoid redundancy with other master-level visits.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe the main environmental threats related to chemistry and their historical context.
- Identify the legal and regulatory frameworks concerning pollution and the management of chemical substances.
- Explain the principles of green chemistry (qualitative and quantitative).
- Use bibliographic tools to search for and analyze scientific information.
- Understand the positive impacts of chemistry on society.
- Interact critically during guest lectures by asking relevant questions.
- Relate theoretical knowledge to concrete issues through a field visit.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
prerequisites
General chemistry
Basic scientific english
corequisites
Analytical chemistry, chemical methods of analysis
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Language of instruction
French
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
- Interactive lectures with theoretical input and case studies.
- Debates and critical discussions.
- Tutorials and guided personal work.
- Guest lectures with active student participation.
- Field visit to an industrial site.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
The theoretical component will be delivered in person as lectures, complemented by problem-based learning sessions on environmental cases and issues. Lectures will be supported by slides (PowerPoint), which will be made available to students.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Further information:
Additional information can be found in the following books:
- CHIMIE DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT (in French), Baird et Cann, De Boeck Université, 5th Edition
- An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry, ANDREWS, BRIMBLECOMBE, JICKELLS and LISS, Blackwell Science Ltd.
- 100% Information Literacy Success, Solomon A. , Wilson G. , Taylor T. , Wadsworth, 2nd, Boston, 2012.
- The hands-on guide for science communications, Christensen L.L. , Springer, Munich, 2007.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )
Continuous assessment
Further information:
Overall course grade
Additional information:
The overall course grade is weighted as follows:
- Active participation in the course, with mandatory attendance at the field visit (40%) - one justified absence is tolerated.
- Preparation of questions to be asked during the guest lectures (30%).
- Multiple-choice exam covering the course modules (30%).
Work placement(s)
Mandatory visit to an industrial site related to waste management, recycling, or water treatment.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Prof. Gauthier Eppe
Tel. +32-4-3663422
e-mail. g.eppe@uliege.be
Dr. Caroline Collette
Tel: +32-4-3663439
e-mail. C.Collette@uliege.be
Dr. Catherine Henrist
Tel: +32-4-3663438
e-mail. Catherine.Henrist@uliege.be
Prof. Jean-Christophe Monbaliu
Tel: +32-4-3663510
e-mail. jc.monbaliu@uliege.be