EPN-V2

EMPE1300 Chemistry and Environment Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Kjemi og miljø
Study programme
Bachelor's Degree Programme in Energy and Environment in buildings
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
Course history

Introduction

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.

Required preliminary courses

No requirements over and above the admission requirements.

Learning outcomes

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
  • explain the periodic table
  • understanding chemical equations and stoichiometry
  • 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 reactions, acid-base equilibria)
  • describing electrochemistry (galvanic cells, corrosion, batteries and electrolytic cells)
  • describing environmental aspects (use of resources, emissions, waste etc.)
  • describing life-cycle assessments (LCA) and environmental labelling (EPD, ECO products)
  • describing standards for environmental work

Skills

The student is capable of

  • perform simple chemical calculations in stoichiometry
  • perform calculations using the equation of state for ideal gases
  • perform energy calculations with internal energy, enthalpy, Gibb’s energy
  • performing simple calculations of reactants and products present in chemical equilibrium
  • performing simple electrochemical calculations, such as calculations of cell potentials
  • anticipate unfortunate interconnections that lead to corrosion
  • describe environmental aspects
  • apply LCA considerations to a given product

General competence

The student is capable of

  • communicating with chemists on topics relating to chemistry and environment
  • searching for and understand specialist literature on the subject

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, teacher-led exercises and exercises out with the help of student assistants. Some of the lectures will be guest lectures on environmental topics.

Course requirements

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

  • 7 of 10 electronic tests , time consume is stipulated to one hour pr test

The purpose of the required coursework is to give students a basis for the written exam.

Assessment

Individual written school exam under supervision in 3 hours, counts 100 %

Examresults can be appealed

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All written and printed aids are allowed.

A handheld calculator that cannot be used for wireless communication or to perform symbolic calculations. If the calculator’s internal memory can store data, the memory must be deleted before the exam. Random checks may be carried out.

Grading scale

Graded scale A-F.

Examiners

One internal examiner. External examiners are used regularly.

Course contact person

Assistant professor Bente Hellum

Overlapping courses

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.