ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 99 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 24 Interactive Classroom: 24 Total: 150
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Physical Chemistry
Areas: Physical Chemistry
Center Faculty of Physics
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
We are seeking for the students to reach a basic level of knowledge in theoretical and experimental aspects of Chemistry, as well as its relationship with Physics. The impact of Chemistry on Physics, and vice versa, will be highlighted, in order to understand the applicability of common principles in these close related branches of science.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
To make the student familiar with fundamental concepts of Chemistry, like the basic principles of classic thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium and bonding. These will be very useful for future courses of the degree.
To make the student understand the role of Chemistry in the current scientific scenario.
The student must know the problems that are the object of current study of Chemistry, as well as the methods developed to solve them.
To know the applicability of the fundamental laws of Chemistry to different situations.
LEARNING RESULTS:
Students are expected to acquire a basic theoretical and experimental knowledge level in Chemistry, as well as their relationship with Physics. It is about knowing the impact of Chemistry in Physics and vice versa. Understand the importance of the application of knowledge of Physics in this related branch of knowledge and the field of application in research both in its theoretical and applied aspects.
The student will demonstrate:
Become familiar with the basic concepts of Chemistry, such as fundamental aspects of classical thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium and chemical bonding, which will be very useful for subjects of later grades.
Understand the role of chemistry within the current scientific landscape.
To become familiar with the topics that Chemistry deals with, as well as with the methods developed by this branch of science to solve the problems it faces.
Know the application of the laws of Chemistry to particular cases, as well as their limitations.
The contents of the lessons that will be treated during this course, are the following:
1. BASIC PROPERTIES OF MATTER:
Introduction to the problems of chemistry: matter and transformations.
Atom, chemical elements: periodic table. The mol concept and the Avogadro number. Practial uses of the mol concept. Chemical compounds: formulation.
Periodical properties: size, electronic ionization and affinity.
2. ATOMIC STRUCTURE:
Interpretation and representation of atomic orbitals. Polielectronic atoms: electronic configuration.
3. CHEMICAL BOND
Lewis structures. Molecular shapes. Bonding energy. Hybridzation. Molecular orbital theory.
Liquids, solids and intermolecular forces (interaction potentials).
4. CHEMICAL REACTIONS:
Reactions in solution, concentrations, limiting reactant. Acid-base, redox and precipitation reaction.
5. INTRODUCTION TO CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM
Equilibrium constant. Le Chatelier law. Spontaneity criterion (Entropy, Enthalpy and Gibbs energy). Activity coefficients.
5. CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM IN SOLUTION
Arrhenius and Bronsted-Lowry theories. The pH scale. Acids/bases strong/weak. Ions as acids/bases. Lewis acid/base theory. Effects on the equilibrium: common ion, buffer solutions, neutralization curves.
Solubility constant. Precipitation.
7. ELECTROCHEMISTRY
Electrode potentials, standard and cell potentials.
Nerst equation. Batteries and fuel-cells. Electrolisis. Corrosion.
8. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Introduction to organic compounds and structures. Aromatic hydrocarbons. Alcohols, phenols and ethers. Aldehides and ketones. Carboxylic acids, esters, amides and amines.
Polymers
The distribution of the different subjects on theory or seminars will be communicated to the students at the beginning of the course.
To make easier for the student to follow the concepts explained in the classes, we will use a textbook:
R. H. Petrucci, F. G. Herring, J. D. Madura, C. Bissonnette, Química General, Pearson Educación, 10ª Edición 2011. This book is complemented by a very good web with examples and activities.
We also recommend:
- R. Chang, Química, McGraw Hill, 10ª Edición, 2010.
- P. W. Atkins, L. Jones, Principios de Química, Editorial Médica Panamericana, 5ª Edición, 2010.
- M. A. Domínguez Reboiras, Química: La ciencia básica, Thomson Editores, 2006.
BASIC AND GENERAL
CB1 - That students have demonstrated to possess and understand knowledge in an area of study that starts from the base of general secondary education, and is usually found at a level that, although supported by advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that imply knowledge coming from the vanguard of their field of study.
CB2 - That students know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the skills that are usually demonstrated through the elaboration and defense of arguments and the resolution of problems within their area of study.
CG3 - Apply both the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired as well as the capacity for analysis and abstraction in the definition and posing of problems and in the search for their solutions both in academic and professional contexts.
TRANSVERSAL
CT1 - Acquire analysis and synthesis capacity.
CT2 - Have the capacity for organization and planning.
CT5 - Develop critical reasoning.
SPECIFIC
CE2 - Be able to clearly handle orders of magnitude and make appropriate estimates in order to develop a clear perception of situations that, although physically different, show some analogy, allowing the use of known solutions to new problems.
CE5 - Be able to perform the essentials of a process or situation and establish a work model of it, as well as perform the required approaches in order to reduce the problem to a manageable level. He will demonstrate critical thinking to build physical models.
CE8 - Be able to manage, search and use bibliography, as well as any source of relevant information and apply it to research and technical development of projects
The course content will be delivered through a combination of lecture classes, interactive sessions, and tutorials.
LECTURE CLASSES will be delivered to the entire group and will focus on presenting the fundamental content of the subject. At the beginning of each unit, the main objectives and structure will be clearly outlined. At the end of each unit, a brief summary of the most relevant concepts will be provided, along with new objectives designed to help students connect the material just covered with other topics within the course and with related subjects. Throughout the lectures, example problems will be introduced to illustrate the theoretical concepts being explained. To support students’ understanding and engagement, all necessary teaching materials will be made available through the course’s virtual classroom.
INTERACTIVE CLASSES will be conducted in small groups and organized as follows:
- Blackboard sessions: These sessions will focus on solving problems and answering questions that help clarify the content covered in lectures. At the beginning of the semester, students will receive a list of these problems and questions so they can attempt to solve them in advance.
- Laboratory sessions: Two two-hour practical sessions will take place in the laboratories of the Faculty of Chemistry. At the start of the course, students will receive a detailed script for each session, allowing them sufficient time to review the relevant theoretical concepts and perform the necessary calculations beforehand. These sessions aim to: (i) reinforce theoretical concepts introduced in lectures and seminars, and (ii) familiarize students with laboratory equipment and the practical challenges involved in designing and conducting experiments.
TUTORIAL CLASSES will be held in very small groups. These sessions will focus on more complex exercises than those tackled in the interactive classes, requiring students to integrate and apply multiple concepts covered throughout the course. They also serve to provide personalized guidance and support for each student’s learning process.
Students will also have access to regular tutorial hours to address any questions or difficulties that may arise during the course. Tutorials can be conducted in person or online. Appointments are required for online tutorials and recommended for face-to-face sessions.
A dedicated course page will be available on the Moodle platform of the Virtual Campus, where students will find important information and a range of learning materials.
The evaluation system will be based on the continuous training of the student. The student's daily work will be evaluated and will be monitored. The evaluated dimensions are as follows:
- Active participation in the expository and interactive classes of blackboard (resolution of the problems proposed in the bulletins, discussion of the results, etc.).
- The exposition and discussion of the topics proposed for the tutorial classes.
- To carry out the continuous evaluation tests (multiple-choice questionnaires and problem solving) proposed in the classroom.
- Attendance to the laboratory practice classes.
The computation of these continuous evaluation activities in the final grade will be 40% (EC grade). Attendance to the practical laboratory classes is compulsory and will represent 10% of the Continuous Evaluation grade.
Students will take an exam that will compute the remaining 60% of the final grade (EX grade). A minimum score of 3.5 out of 10 is established in this exam in order to be able to average the grade of the continuous evaluation.
The student's grade will not be lower than that of the final exam, nor that obtained weighted with the evaluation, therefore, the final grade will be the highest of:
(a) EX grade
b) 0,6 × grade EX + 0,4 × grade EC
Students repeating the course who have passed the laboratory practicals will keep the grade obtained in this section of the continuous evaluation for one academic year. Therefore, they will not have to do the laboratory practice classes again. The rest of the repeating students will have the same attendance regime to the interactive classes and the same evaluation system as the students enrolled for the first time.
In cases of fraud or academic dishonesty during exams or tests, the USC's “Normativa de avaliación do rendemento académico dos estudantes e de revisión de cualificacións” will be applied.
Each student must adjust the time devoted to the study of the subject according to the difficulty in understanding the concepts explained.
Chemistry is a 6 ECTS credit subject. The following table shows the equivalence of credits and personal work:
TASK...................PRESENCE HOURS................FACTOR.......WORK HOURS.........TOTAL HOURS
Theory classes...................30...........................1,5.................45.........................75
Seminars..........................22...........................1,5................33.........................55
Tutorials.............................4............................2,0..................8.........................12
Practical classes..................4............................1,0..................4...........................8
TOTAL...............................60................................................90........................150
Students are expected to have completed a chemistry course during their final year of high school.
Participation in all activities planned for continuous assessment is strongly recommended. Regular engagement with coursework will reinforce their understanding, enhance their problem-solving abilities, and improve their capacity to synthesize the key points of the topics studied. In addition, self-assessment tests will be valuable tools for identifying which concepts are well understood and which require further clarification. These tests will also help students develop the skills needed to effectively answer questions and solve problems based on the theoretical content of the subject.
The lessons will be in Castilian/Galician.
Saulo Angel Vazquez Rodriguez
- Department
- Physical Chemistry
- Area
- Physical Chemistry
- Phone
- 881814216
- saulo.vazquez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Pedro Rodriguez Dafonte
Coordinador/a- Department
- Physical Chemistry
- Area
- Physical Chemistry
- Phone
- 881814307
- pedro.rodriguez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Rafael Enrique Ramos Amigo
- Department
- Physical Chemistry
- Area
- Physical Chemistry
- r.ramos [at] usc.es
- Category
- Researcher: Ramón y Cajal
Massimo Lazzari
- Department
- Physical Chemistry
- Area
- Physical Chemistry
- Phone
- 881815723
- massimo.lazzari [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
| Tuesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 6 |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 130 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 6 |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 130 |
| Thursday | |||
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 6 |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 130 |
| Friday | |||
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 6 |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 130 |
| 05.29.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 0 |
| 05.29.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 130 |
| 05.29.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 6 |
| 05.29.2026 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 830 |
| 06.29.2026 09:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 0 |
| 06.29.2026 09:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 6 |
| 06.29.2026 09:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 830 |