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2025-2026 / CHIM0727-1

Macromolecular and materials chemistry

Duration

45h Th, 10h Proj.

Number of credits

 Master in chemistry, research focus5 crédits 
 Master in chemistry, teaching focus (Réinscription uniquement, pas de nouvelle inscription)5 crédits 
 Master in chemistry, professional focus5 crédits 

Lecturer

Christine Jérôme, Bénédicte Vertruyen

Coordinator

Christine Jérôme

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

All year long, with partial in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course will consider all types of materials: metals, ceramics, polymers and composites. Transversal themes such as manufacture/shaping techniques or mechanical properties will be reviewed with more or less details.

Provisional list of topics:

  • Metallic materials : Mechanical properties of metals and alloys - Shaping techniques
  • Other inorganic materials : Shaping of ceramics - Cement and floating glass - Mechanical properties of ceramics, concrete and glass
  • Polymers : behavior in solution and at the solid state - Synthesis concepts for complex structures (living/controlled polymerization)
  • Composites : organic/inorganic composite synthesis and properties
Some of the course material will be discussed in connection with the context of repurposing (upcycling) /recycling.

 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Metals and other inorganic materials:

  • The students will master basic knowledge necessary (1) to access more advanced textbooks or literature and (2) critically review AI-generated information related to the different classes of materials.
  • The course also aims at developping more general skills, such as analysis of graphics, problem solving, "self-learning" from extended sources (as opposed to course material summarized by the teacher),...
 

Polymer materials and composites:

  • Mastering the basic concepts of controlled polymerizations allowing to suggest and discuss synthetic pathways for complex macromolecular structures (block copolymers).
  • Mastering of the molecular mass determination techniques based on the understanding of the behavior of macromolecules in solution
  • Understanding of the behavior of a polymer material at the solid state, in function of the temperature, exploitation of experimental data to select a material for a given application
  • Understanding of the key concepts of composite fabrication and emerging properties
  • Getting knowledges in key-strategies towards environment-friendlier plastics and thermosets.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

  • Basic course in macromolecular chemistry, such as Prof. C. Jérôme's to 3rd year Bachelor students
  • Basic knowledge of inorganic materials chemistry and crystallography
  • English competencies: B2 (listening), B2-C1 (reading)
If in doubt, contact Prof. Jerome and Vertruyen to inquire

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

During the 1st quadrimester

Section on polymers (Prof. Jerome) :

  • lectures on general concepts 
  • exploitation of experimental data based on problems solving
  • exploitation of the scientific literature in individual work on a specific topic
  • equipment demonstration (SEC)
Sections on metals and ceramics (Prof. Vertruyen) :

  • Lectures, required reading and exercises/discussion
  • 1 lab session
Project during the 1st and 2nd quadrimester

The chemistry students will act as consultants to provide scientific information about upcycling/recycling materials to HEC students enroled in the course MARK8002-1 "Marketing and Innovation" during Q2.
Collective work to prepare for this assignment will take place during Q1. 

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Blended learning


Further information:

Face-to-face (lectures, exercises) 

+ Individual work (e.g. required reading at home before attending a class, some of the woerk related to the collaboration with HEC students )

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

copy of slides + required reading and reference material

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam

Written work / report


Further information:

Grading:

  • 40% for metals/inorganics section (oral exam during January session)
  • 40% for polymers/composites section (written exam during January session, same day)
  • 20% for "consulting" HEC project : written work and oral exam (Q1), involvement (Q2) 
Passing this course requires both an average mark of at least 10/20 AND at least 8/20 in each of the sections "polymers/composites" and "metals/inorganics"

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Classes will take place on Monday mornings (Prof. Vertruyen) and Tuesday afternoons (Prof. Jérôme) during the 1st quadrimester.

The collaborative project with HEC during Q2 is expected to involve one in-person meeting with the HEC students; later interactions would take place by email or Teams or similar media.

Contacts

Prof. Christine JEROME
CERM, Chemistry department, Bât. B6c, Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liege                                            Tél. : 04/366.34.91 E-mail : C.Jerome@uliege.be

Prof. Benedicte VERTRUYEN
GREENMAT, Chemistry Institute B6a (1st floor)
Contact : preferably by e-mail (b.vertruyen.at.uliege.be); by phone (04/366.34.52)

Association of one or more MOOCs