UIB
Universitat de les
Illes Balears
Masters in Chemical Technology and Science
SUBJECT DESCRIPTION
Details
Subject
Name of subject: The Chemistry Laboratory: Organisation and Practice
Code: 10149
Type: Optional
Level: Postgraduate
Year: 1
Semester: 2
Timetable:
See general course programme
Timetabled within module MCTQ6: Tools for the Diffusion
and Teaching of Chemistry
Language: Spanish, Catalan
Teaching staff
Subject leader
Name: Dr Bartomeu Vilanova Canet
Name: Dr Jeroni Morey Salvà
Contact: bartomeu.vilanova@uib.es
Contact: jeroni.morey@uib.es
Pre-requisites:
Number of ECTS credits: 5
Contact hours: 32
Independent study hours: 92
Key terms:
General practical work in chemistry laboratory. View of risks of chemical reagents and
common dangers in the laboratory. Creation and adequate and safe maintenance of a
chemistry laboratory.
General subject aims
The main aim of this subject is to provide students with a series of theoretical and
practical resources to create an extensive curriculum of experimental demonstrations
and chemical practices apt for use in secondary-education syllabuses. Some of these
demonstrations, with certain modifications, can be carried out by the students
themselves, whereas others can be used to complement and enrich purely theoretical
aspects of chemistry.
The course is complemented by a discussion of some of the most important health and
safety aspects that must be borne in mind when planning practical chemical activities.
Chemical risks, storage, handling and waste management will be widely debated
themes.
The course follows two directions: the first is essentially theoretical in character, and is
based on the commentary and discussion of health and safety matters, whereas the
second takes place in the laboratory, where students should carry out some of the
practical activities introduced in the theory section.
Subject skills and objectives
Specific:
 Be able to design and plan resources to be applied in chemical demonstrations or
practicals for students.
 Be able to generate new, educational and safe laboratory activities.
 Be aware of the most important risks involving chemical reagents and security
measures to bear in mind in an educational laboratory.
General:
 Be able to apply knowledge to practice.
 Be able to obtain information from primary and secondary sources
(bibliographical searches) including handling IT resources (Internet).
 Be able to analyse information and synthesise concepts.
 Be able to use IT, databases, subject-oriented use of the Internet and ICT in
general.
 Be able to work independently and plan and manage time.
Content
1. Demonstrations of scientific method and chemical elements. Periodic table.
Chemical elements: coloured flames. Three states of matter.
2. Demonstrations with gases. Preparing gaseous compounds: acetylene, nitrogen
monoxide, oxygen and silane. Acetylene combustion. Sources of ammonia. Other gases.
3. Demonstrations with solutions and precipitates. Formation of copper (II), cobalt
(III) and nickel (II) complexes. Formation of blue precipitate. Supersaturation and
crystallisation. Silicate garden. Selective precipitation. Product of solubility.
4. Demonstrations with acids and bases. Voice-activated reactions. Acid-base
indicators by pH. Acid-base indicators of natural origin.
5. Thermochemical demonstrations. Endothermic reaction: ammonium nitrate.
Exothermic reaction: calcium chloride. Endothermic reaction of barium hydroxide and
ammonium salts. The fireproof handkerchief.
6. Demonstrations with chemical balances. Chromate-dichromate system.
Concentration effect. Oscillating reaction. The rubber bone.
7. Demonstrations with kinetic chemistry. Carbon as catalyst. Medicine-cabinet
kinetics. Producing foam. Catalyst in action. Iodine-cellulose watch. Decomposition if
nitrogen triiodide.
8. Redox demonstrations. Oxidation of glycerine. Blue bottle reaction. Volcano
reaction. Zinc oxidation. Sodium oxidation. Ethanol oxidation. Photo-reduction of
stains.
9. Electrochemical demonstrations. Making a battery. Electroplating. Electrolysis of
an iodide potassium solution. Lemon battery. Tin displacement by zinc. Metallic trees.
Active series of some metals.
10. Demonstrations of organic chemistry. Optical activity. Own fabrication of
molecular models. Aroma session. Bromine addition to double bonds. Chromatography
of stains on chalk. Amoeba reaction. Preparation of solid state quinones. Preparation of
ethanol by fermentation and distilling. Preparation of aspirin. Nylon synthesis.
Chemiluminescence. Chemiluminescent source.
11. Biorganic demonstrations. Differentiation of reducer and non-reducer sugars.
Characterisation of mono- and polysaccharides. Lipid tests: solubility and unsaturations.
preparation of different types of soap. Denaturalisation of proteins. Components of
DNA. Extracting yeast DNA. Enzymatic oxidation of catechol.
12. Demonstrations of chemistry of the environment and consumption.
Biochemistry of nutrition. Chemistry of cleaning. Analysis of analgesics. Chemistry of
food. Atmospheric pollution. Water pollution.
13. Demonstrations using projector and multimedia resources.
14. Planning the laboratory emergency plan. Fire as a risk in the laboratory. Most
common flammable substances in the laboratory. Different types of extinguishers.
15. Chemistry laboratory design and equipment. Types and classification of
laboratories. Access and emergency exits. General ventilation.
16. Gas extractor fans. Various types and correct use. Electrical system and use of gas
as a source of energy.
17. Fixed and mobile equipment in the library. Cupboards for inflammable
substances. Cupboards for acids and bases. Cupboards for corrosive substances. Other
types of cupboards. Refrigeration and heating systems (freezers, baths, heaters and
ovens). Scientific measuring apparatus.
18. Storing chemical products. Capacity. Ventilation. Measures to prevent fires.
Chemical incompatibilities. Organising the store.
19. Laboratory operations (I). Quantity and concentration of reagents. Controlling
reaction temperature. Handling reagents on a large scale.
20. Laboratory operations (II). Purity of reagents and dangers of impurities.
Controlling agitation and viscosity of reaction media. Controlling the speed of reaction.
Controlling atmosphere of reaction. Protection against radioactive reactions.
21. Risk of chemical reagents (I). Chemical composition in relation to reactivity.
Radioactive compounds. Controlling toxicity of reagents in the laboratory: explosive
substances, carcinogenic substances, flammable and pyrophoric substances, other
substances dangerous to health: compressed gases, heavy metals, etc.
Correct handling of potentially dangerous chemical substances.
22. Risk of chemical reagents (II). Consequences of toxic explosions to chemical
substances. Environmental quality control in the laboratory. Protective equipment:
general considerations. Respiration. Eye protection. Skin protection. Other types of
protection. Legislation on risks of chemical substances.
23. Management of chemical waste. Types of waste. Separation. Treatment.
Methodology and student work plan
1. Learning methods: Attendance at theory classes
Class work
Group size: intermediate
Lectures include PowerPoint presentations and OHTs. All material will be made
available to students, as will a specific bibliographical list for each area.
2. Learning methods: Study/preparation for theory classes
Independent study
Group size: individual
3. Learning methods: Attendance at practical classes
Class work
Group size: intermediate
These will be individual where space allows.
4. Learning methods: Study/preparation for and report on practical classes
Independent study
Use of e-learning: Information on the web, e-mail
Group size: individual
5. Learning methods: Individual tutorials
Physical and /or via e-mail
Use of e-learning: Information on the web, e-mail
Group size: individual
Tutorials will be personalised and allow a better coordination and guidance of
students. The tutor will check on student progress and be able to resolve any
problems.
6. Learning methods: Elaboration of scientific pieces
Independent work
Use of e-learning: Information on the web, e-mail
Group size: individual
7. Learning methods: Presentation and defence of work
Independent work
Group size: individual
8. Learning methods: Study/preparation for exams
Independent work
Use of e-learning: Information on the web, e-mail
Group size: individual
9. Learning methods: Tests and exams
Independent work
Use of e-learning: Information on the web, e-mail
Group size: individual
Learning agreement and assessment criteria and instruments
Assessment criteria:
Attendance at both theoretical and practical activities is obligatory, and students must
attend at least 85% of activities to pass the course.
The final mark will take into account:
 Completion and presentation of a literature review (30%)
 Completion of a practical plan, and carrying out practical in the laboratory
(60%)
 Participation in class (10%)
Is assessment organised by means of a learning agreement? No
Bibliography, resources and appendices
Chemical Demonstration: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry. B. Z.
Shakhashiri. The University of Wisconsin Press. 1983. ISBN: (vol 1) 0-29908890-1.(Vol 2) 0-299-10130-4.
Classic Chemistry Experiments. Royal Society of Chemistry. 2000. ISBN: 0-854049193.
Classic Chemistry Experiments. Royal Society of Chemistry. 1995. ISBN: 1870-343387.
Destruction of Hazardous Chemicals in the Laboratory. 2nd Ed. G. Lunn. E. B.
Sansone. Ed John Wiley and Sons, Ltd 1994.
Prevención de Riesgos Laborales. (Law 31/1995 8th November. BOE no. 269, p.
32591 Friday 10th November 1995).
Exposición a Agentes Biológicos durante el Trabajo (R.D 664/1997 12th May. BOE
no. 124, p. 16100 Saturday 24th May 1997).
Exposición a Agentes Cancerígenos. (R.D 665/1997 12th May. BOE no. 124, p.
16111 Saturday 24th May 1997).
Utilización de equipos de protección individual. (R.D 773/1997 30th May. BOE no.
171, p. 18000).
Utilización de equipos de trabajo. (R.D. 1215/1997 7th August 1997. BOE no. 188, p.
24063).
The Sigma-Aldrich Library of Chemical Safety Data. R. E. Lenga Editor. 1985.
ISBN. 0-941633-16-0.
Experience the Extraordinary Chemistry of ordinary Things. A Laboratory
Manual. B. Coburn Richarson and T. G. Chasteen. Ed.Wiley and Sons 2003.
ISBN: 0-471-42358-0.
Pantallas de Visualización. (R.D. 488/97 14th April 1997. BOE no. 97, p. 12929
Wednesday 23rd April 1997).
Señalización. (R.D. 485/97 14th April 1997. BOE no. 97, p. 12911 Wednesday 23rd
April 1997).
Lugares de Trabajo. (R.D. 486/97 14th April 1997. BOE no. 97, p. 12918 Wednesday
23rd April 1997).