2025
Integrated Themes of Chemistry in the Environment and Society
Name: Integrated Themes of Chemistry in the Environment and Society
Code: QUI14751M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Chemistry
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
- To identify correlations between the knowledge acquired in the various fields of Chemistry and the societal and environmental problems emerging today.
- To understand the role of Chemistry and Technology in the contemporary society.
- To develop skills that promote the integrated use of knowledge in Chemistry, for the development of teaching-learning projects.
- To improve knowledge and skills regarding the use of experimental work in the teaching of Chemistry.
- To design the planning of experimental activities that encourage the integration of cultural, scientific and technological knowledge in addressing everyday situations and problems.
- To develop project works that promote a S-T-S-E approach in Chemistry teaching.
- To develop skills in group work, planning, discussion and execution of integrative projects in this field.
- To understand the role of Chemistry and Technology in the contemporary society.
- To develop skills that promote the integrated use of knowledge in Chemistry, for the development of teaching-learning projects.
- To improve knowledge and skills regarding the use of experimental work in the teaching of Chemistry.
- To design the planning of experimental activities that encourage the integration of cultural, scientific and technological knowledge in addressing everyday situations and problems.
- To develop project works that promote a S-T-S-E approach in Chemistry teaching.
- To develop skills in group work, planning, discussion and execution of integrative projects in this field.
Contents
Chemistry and the environment: main pollutant types and their impacts; sources of pollution, pollutant transport and fate; treatment and remediation processes; Environmental quality control and Legislation.
Chemistry and food: chemical processes in the preparation of food, food additives, preservatives, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, hormones.
Chemistry and health: drugs, alternative treatments.
Chemistry and aesthetics: aesthetics and health, obesity, anabolic substances, cosmetics.
Chemistry and cleaning: household chemicals.
Chemistry and energy: oil and fossil fuels, power plants, solar energy, nuclear reactors, new energy sources.
Chemistry, materials and waste: types of waste, waste treatment, plastics and the environment, environmental solution for waste.
Chemistry and war: radioactivity, nuclear energy and applications, nuclear energy and the environment.
Chemistry and food: chemical processes in the preparation of food, food additives, preservatives, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, hormones.
Chemistry and health: drugs, alternative treatments.
Chemistry and aesthetics: aesthetics and health, obesity, anabolic substances, cosmetics.
Chemistry and cleaning: household chemicals.
Chemistry and energy: oil and fossil fuels, power plants, solar energy, nuclear reactors, new energy sources.
Chemistry, materials and waste: types of waste, waste treatment, plastics and the environment, environmental solution for waste.
Chemistry and war: radioactivity, nuclear energy and applications, nuclear energy and the environment.
Teaching Methods
The curricular unit Integrated Themes of Chemistry in the Environment and Society is structured in different types of sessions:
- Theoretical Classes (12h) - intended for the exploitation of topics, integrating the scientific concepts related to them and promoting the development of scientific and professional skills oriented to data assessment, critical thinking and problem solving approaches.
- Practical and laboratory (15h) - intended for the development, in group work, of experimental projects and their exploitation.
- Fieldwork (9h) - intended for visits that display the real-life application (e.g., in Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants, and in landfills) of the treatment processes covered in the theoretical classes.
- Seminars (9h) - intended for the participation of researchers who develop their work in research areas that are related to the topics covered.
- Theoretical Classes (12h) - intended for the exploitation of topics, integrating the scientific concepts related to them and promoting the development of scientific and professional skills oriented to data assessment, critical thinking and problem solving approaches.
- Practical and laboratory (15h) - intended for the development, in group work, of experimental projects and their exploitation.
- Fieldwork (9h) - intended for visits that display the real-life application (e.g., in Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants, and in landfills) of the treatment processes covered in the theoretical classes.
- Seminars (9h) - intended for the participation of researchers who develop their work in research areas that are related to the topics covered.
Assessment
Evaluation comprises three components:
A- Continuous evaluation that takes into account the students attendance and participation.
B- Preparation of the report, oral presentation and discussion of the projects that were developed.
C- Portfolio of study visits. Each student will create his/her own portfolio to document and compile the information gathered during study visits
The final classification is obtained by the weighted average of the three components evaluated, according to the following formula:
Classification = 0.25*A+0.60*B+0.15*C
Final Evaluation
In duly justified cases, the Final Evaluation option may be selected. Students choosing this track will individually complete a written exam (PE) and an oral presentation (AO), involving work identical to "B" developed under the continuous evaluation system.
The final grade will be calculated as follows:
Classification = 60% PE + 40% AO
Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence
The use of AI tools is permitted in this course unit as technical, analytical, and learning support, provided that students understand, validate, and assume full responsibility for the results produced. The fabrication of sources, data, or results constitutes a serious breach of academic integrity.
Acceptable Uses:
- Support for technical writing and report review.
- Generation of code or simulation of solutions, provided they are validated and explained.
- Support for data analysis or hypothesis formulation, with manual verification.
Unacceptable Uses:
- Submitting reports, code, or results produced entirely by AI.
- Displaying data, equations, or references generated without verification.
- Using AI in assessments or exams without the professor's authorization.
Consequences:
Misuse will be classified as academic fraud under Article 119 of the Academic Regulations (Code of Conduct, Fraud, and Plagiarism).
A- Continuous evaluation that takes into account the students attendance and participation.
B- Preparation of the report, oral presentation and discussion of the projects that were developed.
C- Portfolio of study visits. Each student will create his/her own portfolio to document and compile the information gathered during study visits
The final classification is obtained by the weighted average of the three components evaluated, according to the following formula:
Classification = 0.25*A+0.60*B+0.15*C
Final Evaluation
In duly justified cases, the Final Evaluation option may be selected. Students choosing this track will individually complete a written exam (PE) and an oral presentation (AO), involving work identical to "B" developed under the continuous evaluation system.
The final grade will be calculated as follows:
Classification = 60% PE + 40% AO
Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence
The use of AI tools is permitted in this course unit as technical, analytical, and learning support, provided that students understand, validate, and assume full responsibility for the results produced. The fabrication of sources, data, or results constitutes a serious breach of academic integrity.
Acceptable Uses:
- Support for technical writing and report review.
- Generation of code or simulation of solutions, provided they are validated and explained.
- Support for data analysis or hypothesis formulation, with manual verification.
Unacceptable Uses:
- Submitting reports, code, or results produced entirely by AI.
- Displaying data, equations, or references generated without verification.
- Using AI in assessments or exams without the professor's authorization.
Consequences:
Misuse will be classified as academic fraud under Article 119 of the Academic Regulations (Code of Conduct, Fraud, and Plagiarism).
Teaching Staff
Accreditations and Certifications
