OVERVIEW

This class (2 cfu), usually held at the beginning of the first semester, provides a very basic background on mathematics, physics, and computer science exploiting simple examples derived from fundamental chemistry.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will learn the basic concepts of mathematics, physics and computer science, which should be very diverse to balance the initial knowledge due to the international background of the students. A non-theoretical approach is followed, starting with practical, concrete chemical examples and leading to the derivation of the required basic principles

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aim of this class is to provide fundamentals on the concepts of derivative, series expansion, integrals, average differential equations (chemical kinetics, polymerization reactions, population evolution, lifetime, mass balance in open or closed systems in steady and non-steady state…)

PREREQUISITES

Bachelor knowledge of mathematics, physics, and computer science

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching is organized in a series of lectures in the classroom by using powerpoint presentations (available to students through AulaWeb) and by examples from chemistry textbooks. In some case, freeware spreadsheets software will be used.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1. Basic Functions plots: Straight line, parabola, hyperbola, exponential, logarithmic, hyperbolic functions, geometric meaning of the first and second derivatives.
2. Derivative (velocity, chemical potential, thermodynamics function, kinetics, reaction kinetics, forces, rate of change of {mass, energy} in a volume V…).
3. Linear Algebra (vectors, matrices, determinants, linear systems)
4. Maxima and minima (the chemical bond, energy barriers and catalysts, ….).
5. Series expansion (virial coefficients, viscosity, …)
6. Integrals (area, integral distribution, potential energy, reactor volume calculation, …).
7. Average (polymer molecular mass distribution, kinetics theory of gases, …).
8. Algebric and differential equations (chemical kinetics, polymerization reactions, population evolution, lifetime, mass balance in open and closed systems in steady and non-steady state, Correlation and linear regression for experimental data fitting.…).
9. Nonlinear equations (bubble point and dew point temperature in multicomponent mixtures, isothermal and isobaric flash).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Any book of physics, mathematics, and computer science suitable for BSc. For instance,

Schaum's Outline of Precalculus, By Fred Safier, 2019 (McGraw Hill)

Schaum's Outline of Physics for Engineering and Science, By Michael E. Browne, 2020 (McGraw Hill

Schaum's Outline of College Algebra, By Murray R. Spiegel, Robert E. Moyer, 2018 (McGraw Hill)

5 Steps to a 5: AP Computer Science Principles 2024, Julie Schacht Sway, 2023 (McGraw Hill)

Additional suggested readings on the application of physical, mathematical and computer science fundamentals to the chemical engineering of the MSc SMART are

K.J. Beers, “Numerical methods for chemical Engineering”, Cambridge University press (2006)

R.M. Felder, R.W. Rousseau and L.G. Bullard, “Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes”, Wiley (any edition)

D.M. Himmelblau and J.B. Riggs, “Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering”, Parson (any editions).

N. Mostoufi and A. Constantinides, “Applied Numerical Methods for Chemical Engineers”, Academic Press (2023)

Additional materials for working students or students with specific learning disabilities is available upon request.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ANTONIO COMITE (President)

DAVIDE COMORETTO (President)

DAVIDE PEDDIS (President)

ANDREA REVERBERI (President)

ALBERTO SERVIDA (President)

MARCO VOCCIANTE (President)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The class schedule is available at  https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists in a self-evaluating test. At end of the test, a public correction will be shown. According to the results, each student will be possibly invited to review suitable topics. The exam is considered “passed” when students attend all lessons, the exam, and its correction.

For students with disabilities or with SLD, the assessment method corresponds to the UNIGE rules summarized at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The aim of the exam is to verify the achievement of the intended learning objectives. If these objectives are not met, the student will be encouraged to further study the topics, with the support of the teacher’s explanations.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For any other information, students are invited to directly contact teachers by email (davide.comoretto@unige.it, alberto.servida@unige.it, marco.vocciante@unige.it, davide.peddis@unige.it, andrea.reverberi@unige.it, Antonio.comite@unige.it)  or visiting them in their offices/labs.

Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals

Quality education (4)

Gender equality (5)

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.