Scuola Universitaria Interdipartimentale in Scienze Strategiche (SUISS)

Chemistry, Equilibrium and Sustainability

Chemistry, Equilibrium and Sustainability

Anno accademico 2016/2017

Sommario insegnamento

• Obiettivi formativi
• Modalità di insegnamento
• Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento
• Programma
• Testi consigliati e bibliografia
• Note
• Strumenti didattici

Obiettivi formativi

This course is designed for students with very diverse backgrounds and aims at enabling them to:

• Understand and analyse the role of chemistry in our societies.

• Understand and describe the relation between chemistry and the concepts of equilibrium and sustainability.

• Recognise and discuss critically the societal challenges and solutions involving chemistry and chemical engineering.

At the end of the course the students will be given a group-assignment that entails preparing a short report and a presentation. Each student is expected to contribute by using the knowledge acquired in the course but also her/his specific background. The target is to stimulate the elaboration of the three learning goals described above in a multidisciplinary context. The presence of a variety of study backgrounds in each group, from natural sciences all the way to social sciences, is warmly encouraged as it will stimulate the analysis of the problem from different points of view and will allow cross-contamination and reciprocal enrichment between the students.

Modalità di insegnamento

Interactive lessons (including exercises)

Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento

The evaluation will be based on the report (40%) on the presentation (30%) and on the discussion (30%). After the definition of the topic of the assignment, the students will be given 3 weeks to complete their report. The presentations will be attended by all students and followed by a lively discussion in which the lecturer and all students will be involved. In the discussion, the students will be evaluated for the pertinence and relevance of both their questions and their answers.

The report, the presentation and the discussion will allow evaluating if the three learning goals have been reached. The report will also allow evaluating the capability to work as a team and the writing skills. The presentation and the discussion will allow evaluating each student also at an individual level.

Programma

 Module 1 Equilibrium: a multifaceted concept.

The relevance of equilibrium. The concept of equilibrium from different points of view (chemistry, physics, biology and social sciences). [3h]

Module 2 Chemistry and Sustainability.

Chemistry: from a ‘threat’ to a ‘solution’. What is sustainability and how can chemistry contribute to a sustainable society? Green Chemistry and its principles. Biomass and other renewables. Life Cycle Assessments. Circular Economy. [7h]

Module 3 The importance of Catalysis

Introduction to catalysis. The role of catalysis in sustainable chemical processes. Nanotechnology and catalysis. [4h]

Module 4 Chemistry and energy

Fossil fuels vs. renewable fuels. Hydrogen economy. Fuel cells. [2h]

Module 5 CO2: can it become the building block of the future?

Opportunities and challenges in the conversion of carbon dioxide into useful compounds. [2h]

Module 6 The assignment

Summary of the course. Introduction of the multidisciplinary assignment in which each student will be expected to elaborate the knowledge acquired in the course in the context of her/his specific background. The importance of a critical attitude. [2h]

Lecture notes and references provided therein.

Orario lezioni

Note

Gli studenti che frequenteranno il corso dovranno inserire le relative attività formative (per un totale di 5 cfu) all'interno del proprio piano carriera:

- Chemistry, Equilibrium and Sustainability: MAN0230 - VP1 Seminar + MAN0162 - ALTRE ATTIVITÁ FORMATIVE II

• Materiale didattico
• Bacheca appelli
• Vai a Moodle
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