EMPE1300 Chemistry and Environment Course description

Gjennom dette emnet vil studenten tilegne seg grunnleggende kunnskap i kjemi og miljø. Studenten vil tilegne seg innsikt i de ressursutfordringene samfunnet står overfor og hvordan disse kan løses. Studentene vil også kunne se en tydelig sammenheng mellom miljøvurderinger og kjemi.

No requirements over and above the admission requirements.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student is capable of

• describing the structure of atoms and molecules
• understanding chemical equations and stoichiometry
• explaining the periodic table
• explaining the physical properties of gases
• explaining chemical bonding and the molecular structure of solids (metals, semiconductors, polymers, crystalline substances)
• defining the first, second and third laws of thermodynamics
• defining energy concepts, internal energy, enthalpy,;entropy and Gibb’s energy
• understanding chemical equilibria (gas equilibria, precipitation, acid-base equilibria)
• describing electrochemistry (galvanic cells, corrosion and electrolytic cells)
• describing environmental aspects (use of resources, emissions, waste etc.)
• describing life-cycle assessments and environmental labelling
• describing standards for environmental work

Skills

The student is capable of

• carrying out simple chemical calculations in stoichiometry
• carrying out calculations using the equation of state for ideal gases
• defining energy concepts, internal energy, enthalpy, Gibb’s energy and entropy
• performing simple electrochemical calculations, such as calculations of cell potentials and simple calculations of current, and consumption and production of chemicals by electrolysis
• performing simple calculations of reactants and products present in chemical equilibrium

• carrying out LCA assessments

General competence

The student is capable of

• communicating with chemists on topics relating to chemistry and environment
• searching for specialist literature and compiling reference lists in accordance with the applicable template

The students will acquire knowledge about cells, biological macromolecules and the most important chemical reactions that take place in cells. They will also develop skills in aseptic technique and growing of microorganisms, isolation and analysis of proteins and enzyme kinetics. 

Approved laboratory course in KJM1400 Organic Chemistry and KJM1500 Physical Chemistry, or corresponding qualifications.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• can explain the difference between the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• can explain the structure and function of the most important biochemical molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
• can explain the functions of enzymes and coenzymes and understand basic enzyme kinetic theories
• can describe the structure and function of biological membranes
• can describe metabolic processes such as glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, electron transport chains and photosynthesis
• can explain DNA synthesis (replication), RNA synthesis (transcription) and protein synthesis (translation) in prokaryotic organisms
• has a basic understanding about microorganisms

Skills

The student is capable of:

• growing and identifying some types of microorganisms with the help of gram staining, microscopy, metabolism experiments and enzymatic tests
• performing a growth experiment and constructing a bacterial growth curve
• using basic protein isolation methods and analyzing the protein amount and purity with the help of gel electrophoresis and spectroscopy
• performing basic enzyme kinetic experiments
• performing health risk assessments and classifying chemical compounds and solutions
• is capable of planning and performing biochemical experiments
• is capable of communicating the results of laboratory experiments both orally and in writing

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• 5-day laboratory course and 3 written lab reports (in groups of 2-4 students, 10-15 pages per report)
• A written assignment in the form of curriculum questions
• A group assignment ((in groups of 2-4 students) and oral presentation of the assignment.

Individual written exam under supervision, 3 hours.

The exam result can be appealed.

In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, oral instead of written examination may be used. In case of an oral exam the result cannot be appealed.

Grade scale A-F.

One internal examiner. External examiners are used regularly.

BYPE1300 Energy, environment and chemistry are equivalent (over 10 credits) with EMPE1300, FO051A, FO051B, FO051E, FO051G, FO051M and FO051K. By practicing the 3-threads rule of having signed up for the exam counts abandoned used in equivalent courses.