Course syllabus for Physics and chemistry for civil engineers

The course syllabus contains changes
See changes

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-14 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameFysik och kemi för samhällsbyggare
  • CodeBOM221
  • Credits6 Credits
  • OwnerTKSAM
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyCivil and Environmental Engineering
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingUG - Pass, Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 58120
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0117 Project 3 c
Grading: UG		 3 c
0217 Examination, part A 1.5 c
Grading: UG		 1.5 c
  • 15 Jan 2025 am J DIG
  • 16 Apr 2025 am J DIG
  • 18 Aug 2025 pm J DIG
0317 Examination, part B 1.5 c
Grading: UG		 1.5 c
  • 15 Jan 2025 am J DIG
  • 16 Apr 2025 am J DIG
  • 18 Aug 2025 pm J DIG

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Aim

The aim of the course is to provide students with basic knowledge of physics and chemistry. Specifically, the course will focus on the physical and chemical processes that are important for subsequent courses in the civil engineering programme.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

- Identify types of chemical bonding within and between compounds and relate these to the physical and chemical properties of the compounds. - Explain fundamental principles in redox- and electrochemistry, with corrosion as the application. - Understand and apply the basic rules of chemical equilibrium, pH and solubility. - Describe fundamental concepts in thermodynamics, such as temperature, pressure, concentration and partial pressure. - Explain one-dimensional transport processes, such as heat transport, convection, current and diffusion. - Apply fundamental concepts in thermodynamics, such as phase changes, the ideal gas law, heat capacity and PVT diagrams.
- Use correct units by dimensional analysis, understand prefix and designate appropriate significant figures for calculations in physics and chemistry, as well in other subjects in the programs.

Content

Our built environment is strongly affected by natural chemical and physical processes that continuously breakdown and reorder our construction materials at a microscopic level. Thus, chemical and physical processes determine, for example, the function and life-span of our infrastructure. A civil engineer must take these processes into account, already at the planning stage, in order to ensure long-term sustainable solutions, for example when selecting appropriate building materials or when constructing a foundation. A fundamental understanding of chemistry and physics is also necessary to secure our central resources, such as access to clean air, clean water and clean energy. Each week will focus on a theme in connection with the learning objectives: "chemical bonding and molecular structure", "electrochemistry", "chemical equilibrium", "thermodynamics", "the ideal gas law and phase change", and "transport processes". The study of these themes is conducted in student groups (see Organization below), with a focus on peer learning.

Organisation

The course centers around project-based exercises, which are conducted in student groups. Introductory lectures, consultations, exercises and instructor feedback supports the learning process and the themed project work. Laboratory work connects the research themes to their practical applications. A written exam is held at the end of the course.

Literature

Text books (these will be advertised on the course webpage about 4 weeks prior to course start).
Internal study material, assignments, laboratory manuals, video lectures, other material.

Examination including compulsory elements

Project-based themed exercises. Grading scale: pass/fail. Written examination in physics (part A) and chemistry (part B). Grading scale: pass/fail.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.

The course syllabus contains changes

  • Changes to module:
    • 2024-10-25: Digital exam Changed to digital exam by Examinator
      [0217 Examination 1,5 credit] Changed to digital examination inspera
    • 2024-10-25: Digital exam Changed to digital exam by Examinator
      [0317 Examination 1,5 credit] Changed to digital examination inspera