| CODE | CHE0501 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Scientific Principles for Conservation: Inorganic Chemistry | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 00 - Mod Pre-Tert, Foundation, Proficiency & DegreePlus | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 4 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Chemistry | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This Study-unit (consisting of lectures, laboratory sessions and tutorials) will deliver basic concepts and fundamental topics in Inorganic Chemistry, which are essential background knowledge to understand conservation, conservation science issues, the chemistry of Cultural Heritage objects and architectural surfaces (e.g. stone, pigments), their deterioration (e.g. salts), as well as conservation materials. The selection of topics on Inorganic Chemistry delivered during the lectures will be based on their particular relevance and application to the field of Conservation, and includes, among others: physical and chemical properties of matter, atoms and ions, elements and periodicity, molecules and bonding, basics on chemical reactions, thermochemistry / chemical kinetics, solutions and solubility, reactions in aqueous solution, phases. Wherever possible, the relevance of such topics for conservation and for the properties of cultural heritage objects/materials will be highlighted by using practical applied examples. Laboratory sessions will involve basic experiments linked to the topics taught in class. Tutorials are an important component of this unit and will regularly be scheduled to revise important concepts and clarify possible queries raised by the students. Study-Unit Aims: - Introduce basic fundamental principles in Inorganic Chemistry relevant for the Conservation field and for the understanding of the chemistry and behaviour of Cultural Heritage objects/materials; - Discuss the relevance of Inorganic Chemistry in the Conservation field; - Introduce the scientific underpinning of Conservation and Conservation Science. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the states of the matter, and their physical and chemical properties; - Define atoms and ions, elements and their variation in chemical properties through Groups and Periods, and describe molecules and bonding; - Define basics in thermochemistry, chemical equilibrium and factors which affect it; - Explain solutions and solubility, and reactions in aqueous solution; - Balance basic chemical reactions and solve basic Inorganic Chemistry problems. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply principles of Inorganic Chemistry (e.g. solubility, acid-base, redox reaction) to solve simple Conservation issues/problems; - Apply the skills learnt, such as preparation of solutions, weighing procedure etc. during conservation activities; - Carry out simple laboratory tests, taking care of health and safety considerations. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Essential Texts: Shriver, Atkins & Langford, Inorganic Chemistry, 1993, 2 ed., Oxford University Press. Additional Texts: Duward Shriver, Mark Weller, Tina Overton, Jonathan Rourke and Fraser Armstrong, Inorganic Chemistry, 6th ed., 2014 Gary L. Miessler, Paul J. Fischer and Donald A. Tarr, Inorganic Chemistry, 5th ed., 2013. Online Resources: https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Inorganic_Chemistry |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Ind Study, Lec, Tut, Practicum & Onl Learn | ||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Sophie Briffa |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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