Entry requirements

120 credits with 30 credits in chemistry. 5 credits physical chemistry or Materials chemistry, 10 credits. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• account for and reflect on phase relations and phase structure in self-associating lipid and surfactant systems
• account for and reflect on thermodynamic, electrostatic and mechanical aspects on the stability of colloidal solutions
• analyse and interpret results from some common techniques used to study structure, interaction and dynamics in colloidal solutions
• discuss, in oral and written form, surface and colloid chemical problems
• describe and reflect on how self-associating colloidal systems can be utilised for technical applications within the areas of medicine/pharmacy and materials science.

Content

Self-associated lipid and surfactant systems, phase relations, phase structure and liquid crystalline phases. Micelles, vesicles and biological membranes. Static and dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy. Colloidal solutions, steric stabilisation, surface forces and polymer adsorption. Technical applications of self-associated and colloidal systems.

Instruction

Lectures, teaching sessions, seminars/projects, laboratory sessions and demonstrations.

Assessment

A written theoretical examination is organised at the end of the course. Passed seminar assignment and passed laboratory work is required for a pass grade. Written examination corresponds to 3 credits, seminar presentations 1 credit and laboratory sessions 1 credit. The final grade is based on a combination of the results obtained in the theoretical examination, the seminar presentation, and the laboratory sessions.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.

Other directives

Cannot be included in the same higher education qualification as Colloid and Interface Chemistry, 7.5 credits