Aims

• The student has a detailed knowledge of and insight in the chemical, physicochemical and physical aspects that are dealt with in the course (more details in the respective OLA’s).
• The student has knowledge of and insight in the importance of the “Chain of knowledge” (more details in the respective OLA’s).

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(Activity Chemistry of Polymers) 

• The student can explain the difference between a chain growth and step growth mechanism.
• The student can distinguish the different steps in a chain growth polymerization mechanism and can indicate the influence on the polymerization.
• The student can compare the different ways in which vinyl monomers polymerize (radical, cationic, anionic) and can link these with the molecular structure of the monomer.
• The student can explain the relation between the molecular structure of the monomer and the molar mass of the resulting polymer, the polymerization rate and the copolymerization parameters.

(Activity Physical Properties of Polymers) 

• The student can give the definitions and the descriptions as well as explain the meaning of physicochemical and physical theoretical concepts and results dealt with in the course and clarify their importance and their interplay in the “Chain of knowledge”;
• The student can give correct derivations, point out the used approximations and discuss and analyse the consequences and limitations of the approximations for the theoretical concepts and results given in the list “Theoretical concepts and results” available on Toledo;
• The student can clarify and show the importance of the “Chain of knowledge” and of the theoretical concepts and results for polymer materials which are dealt with in the course and for new examples of polymer materials provided by the lecturer;
• The student can define and then find with the available information search methods relevant (scientific factual) information that is required to bring the exercises and assignments to a successful end;
• The student can apply the theoretical concepts and results in simple exercises and come up with concrete results and answers and place them in the context of the theoretical concepts;
• The student can apply the theoretical concepts in integrating assignments (3 or 4, depending on the extend of the assignments) and come to concrete results and answers and place them in the context of the theoretical concepts;
• The student can present the results of the assignments in a written report in the English language according to the guidelines “Reporting assignments” available on Toledo;
• The student can use present-day ICT tools in the making and the reporting of the assignments;
• The student can make a detailed time planning for an assignment, communicate and justify the time planning to the lecturer and, if needed,  adapt and evaluate the time planning.

Previous knowledge

• The student has at least knowledge of the following mathematical and physical concepts and notions: vectors, functions, integrals, differentials, Fourier transfoms, complex numbers, series, energy, forces, viscosity, elasticity, electromagnetic radiation (visible light, IR, X-ray), index of refraction;
• The bachelor has basic knowledge of atoms, molecules, bonds, molecular interactions, thermodynamic state functions (internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs energy, Helmholtz energy) and derived properties (volume, pressure and temperature) or can acquire this basic knowledge autonomously;
• The student can explain the mechanism of basic organic reactions, in accordance with the end terms of the bachelor of chemistry.
• The student is capable to distinguish between the factors that stabilize/destabilize an organic compound and can indicate which of two analogue compounds is the most stable;
• The student can independently derive first and second order reaction rate equations.

Is included in these courses of study

• Courses for Exchange Students Faculty of Science (Leuven)
• Master in de chemie (Leuven) 120 ects.
• Master of Chemistry (Leuven) 120 ects.
• Educatieve master in de wetenschappen en technologie (Leuven) 120 ects.