Various spectroscopies and characterisation techniques are covered, both at the fundamental level and in the applications that arise from their use. Most of these techniques will subsequently be used routinely in other practical work and throughout the student's career as a chemist. Students are required to master techniques for characterising the molecular properties of matter and to present this mastery in the form of joint and individual work.
At the end of the Teaching Unit, the students will be able to:
- Contextualise, process and interpret with scientific rigour the experimental results obtained during the Block 3 Physical Chemistry practical labs, using numerical tools and bibliographical sources;
- Obtain experimental data with adequate precision/rigour using a wide variety of instruments whose limits can be explained;
- Formatting Block 3 physical chemistry lab reports, using digital tools;
- Adopt appropriate behaviour during Block 3 physical chemistry lab work and follow general and/or individual instructions;
- Prepare a detailed experimental work in Block 3 Physical Chemistry using bibliographic sources and laboratory instructions;
- Work independently, in relation to experimental and written work, within the framework of physical chemistry laboratory work Block 3.
Various spectroscopies and characterisation techniques are covered, both at the fundamental level and in the applications that arise from their use. Most of these techniques will subsequently be used routinely in other practical work and throughout the student's career as a chemist. Students are required to master techniques for characterising the molecular properties of matter and to present this mastery in the form of joint and individual work.
At the end of the Teaching Unit, the students will be able to:
- Contextualise, process and interpret with scientific rigour the experimental results obtained during the Block 3 Physical Chemistry practical labs, using numerical tools and bibliographical sources;
- Obtain experimental data with adequate precision/rigour using a wide variety of instruments whose limits can be explained;
- Formatting Block 3 physical chemistry lab reports, using digital tools;
- Adopt appropriate behaviour during Block 3 physical chemistry lab work and follow general and/or individual instructions;
- Prepare a detailed experimental work in Block 3 Physical Chemistry using bibliographic sources and laboratory instructions;
- Work independently, in relation to experimental and written work, within the framework of physical chemistry laboratory work Block 3.
Infrared spectroscopy is used to identify and characterise certain molecular vibrational modes, to carry out assays, to determine reaction parameters such as equilibrium constants or to follow the kinetics of a reaction. UV-Visible spectroscopy is used to characterise the structural and electronic properties of organic molecules, to carry out quantitative analyses, to illustrate principles of Quantum Chemistry, to study in detail 1st and 2nd order reaction kinetics. X-ray diffraction is the technique of choice for determining the three-dimensional structure of molecules in the crystalline state. Chromatography techniques allow for extensive qualitative and quantitative analysis. Dipolmetry is used to determine the dielectric constant of molecules in solution and of ideal and non-ideal mixtures. The lab illustrates the approach required to characterise the dipole moment of molecules. Viscometry is used to determine one of the fundamental properties of fluids: their viscosity, and is applied to the characterisation of ideal and non-ideal mixtures. Calorimetry is used to determine the heat of combustion of solids and organic liquids, and other thermodynamic quantities derived from them.
Experiments are carried out during nine days, one day per technique. The last day is reserved for the individual integration work.
Infrared spectroscopy is used to identify and characterise certain molecular vibrational modes, to carry out assays, to determine reaction parameters such as equilibrium constants or to follow the kinetics of a reaction. UV-Visible spectroscopy is used to characterise the structural and electronic properties of organic molecules, to carry out quantitative analyses, to illustrate principles of Quantum Chemistry, to study in detail 1st and 2nd order reaction kinetics. X-ray diffraction is the technique of choice for determining the three-dimensional structure of molecules in the crystalline state. Chromatography techniques allow for extensive qualitative and quantitative analysis. Dipolmetry is used to determine the dielectric constant of molecules in solution and of ideal and non-ideal mixtures. The lab illustrates the approach required to characterise the dipole moment of molecules. Viscometry is used to determine one of the fundamental properties of fluids: their viscosity, and is applied to the characterisation of ideal and non-ideal mixtures. Calorimetry is used to determine the heat of combustion of solids and organic liquids, and other thermodynamic quantities derived from them.
The assessment is based on five competences. The fifth competency concerns the individual work: individual report(s), integration work, good laboratory practice.
1. Contextualise, process and interpret with scientific rigour the experimental results obtained during the Block 3 Physical Chemistry practical exercises, using numerical tools and bibliographical sources.
The indicators are: adequacy between the introduction of the report and the manipulations, mastery of concepts, formalisms and basic notions, treatment of results (rigour, reproducibility of calculations, units), interpretation and discussion, imprecision of measurements and sources of error, conclusions, etc.
2. Formatting Block 3 physical chemistry lab reports, using digital tools.
Indicators are: spelling, grammar, structure and clarity of the text, general layout, significant figures, presentation of graphs and tables, citation of references and bibliography, adequate use of appendices, etc.
3. Adopt appropriate behaviour during Block 3 physical chemistry lab work and follow general and/or individual instructions.
The indicators are: general behaviour, compliance with instructions (safety, timetables, various recommendations, study and assessment regulations, etc.) A serious breach (e.g. of safety) automatically results in exclusion from the laboratory for the day and a mark of 0 is awarded for the corresponding skill set.
4. Prepare a detailed experimental work in Block 3 Physical Chemistry using bibliographic sources and laboratory instructions.
The preparation is recorded in the laboratory notebook and verified orally. Its evaluation is daily and concerns in particular (indicators): objectives of the practical work, danger and toxicity of the products handled, concepts and formalisms useful for the treatment of the results, basic notions, precise and contextualised operating procedures, all the preliminary calculations requested or necessary for the manipulations, organisation of the work, etc. The laboratory notebook must be given to the assistants at the same time as the last report.
5. Work independently, at the level of both the experimental and written works, within the framework of the Block 3 physical chemistry laboratory work.
This competence is based on the following indicators: good practices (scientific behaviour in the laboratory: technical gestures, keeping the laboratory notebook, etc.); originality of the individual report(s); scientific quality of the individual report(s); quality of the presentation of the individual report(s); each personal defence of a report; integration work (mastery of the techniques used during the practical exercises, processing and interpretation of laboratory results, response to a given problem). The competence is not validated when more than two indicators have a score lower than 10/20.
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To validate a global competence, an average mark of at least 10/20 is required for that competence. In order to validate the SCHIB311 course, all the competences must be validated, all the expected works must have been handed in to the assistants and the student must have worked at least six full days (excluding integration work). In case of failure in one or more global competences, the mark of the UE is at most 8/20. Attendance at all practical sessions is compulsory. Any absence must be duly justified. If not, a mark of 0 will be given for all the skills corresponding to each missed practical session. In case of justified absence, the student will have to 1) present, in his/her laboratory notebook, the preparation of the manipulations that should have been carried out and 2) carry out, hand in, and possibly defend a personal work for each day of TP totally or partially missed. Instructions will be given by the assistant(s). In case of absence from the integration work, it must be made up as soon as possible and, at the latest, within 15 days of the end of the practical work. Otherwise, a mark of 0 will be awarded for all the indicators concerned (behaviour and integration work).
v. SCHIB311 WebsiteCampus
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Chemistry | Standard | 0 | 4 | |
| Bachelor in Chemistry | Standard | 3 | 4 |