| CODE | CHE0502 | ||||||
| TITLE | Scientific Principles for Conservation: Organic Chemistry | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 00 - Mod Pre-Tert, Foundation, Proficiency & DegreePlus | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 4 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Chemistry | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit covers fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, with special attention to those parts of organic chemistry most relevant to the field of cultural heritage and conservation. The study-unit covers different groups of organic compounds, their physical and chemical properties. The groups covered are the hydrocarbons (namely the alkanes and alkenes), the carbonyls (aldehydes and ketones), the alcohols, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, amines, benzene and derivatives. Organic chemical nomenclature and polymerization processes (addition and condensation) will also be covered. The study unit will also tackle albeit briefly, organic compounds traditionally used as binders and coatings in cultural heritage objects (i.e. lipids and waxes, carbohydrates, proteins, natural and synthetic resins), as well as to those relevant to conservation materials (e.g. adhesives, consolidants, organic solvents). 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. Tutorials are an important component of this unit and will be regularly scheduled to revise important concepts and clarify possible queries raised by the students. Study-Unit Aims: - Introduce the student to the chemistry of carbon and the fundamental concept of organic chemistry; - Discuss the relevance of Organic Chemistry to the field of cultural heritage and art conservation. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define the classes of organic compounds on the basis of their functional groups; - Define the chemistry of the functional groups and their reactions, such as, but not limited to addition across the double bond, esterification and the reverse saponification, formation of the amide functionality and redox; - Describe physical properties of the different organic groups (melting and boiling points, vapour pressure) in relation to secondary type bonding; - Define natural and synthetic organic polymers, such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, natural resins, acrylics and vinyls, and their properties. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Distinguish between physical and chemical properties of different organic compounds on the basis of their functional groups; - Predict the products of reaction of a simple organic reaction given reactants and reaction conditions; - Make valid predictions of solubility of simple organic compounds based on the intermolecular forces present; - Explain basic chemical properties of organic compounds relevant for Cultural Heritage objects/materials and conservation materials. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Essential Readings: - Ryan, L. and Norris, R. 2020. Cambridge International AS and A-level Chemistry coursebook. Cambridge University Press (3rd Edition) ISBN 9781108863193 (Available at Junior College library) - Mills, J. and White, R. 2011. The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects. Routledge (2nd Edition) ISBN 0750646934 (Available at Bighi Library General) |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Indendent Study, Lect, Tutorial & Practicum | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Daniel Vella |
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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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