2025
Physics and Chemistry in the 21st century
Name: Physics and Chemistry in the 21st century
Code: QUI14753M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Physics, Chemistry
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. Identify some of the trends and hot research topics in Chemistry and Physics
2. Apply a critical and creative thinking regarding the role of Physics and Chemistry in addressing societal challenges
3. Collect, organise and analyse information from various sources and form critical and educated judgements of their scientific merit
4. Adopt suitable communication strategies for different purposes and audiences and rationalize knowledge from different sources and perspectives to convey a synthetic discourse
5. Apply problem identification, exploration and solution skills to address real life situations and events
6. Work independently or in teamwork including in multidisciplinary teams and complex situation scenarios
7. Develop a project plan incorporating appropriate data management strategy.
1. Identify some of the trends and hot research topics in Chemistry and Physics
2. Apply a critical and creative thinking regarding the role of Physics and Chemistry in addressing societal challenges
3. Collect, organise and analyse information from various sources and form critical and educated judgements of their scientific merit
4. Adopt suitable communication strategies for different purposes and audiences and rationalize knowledge from different sources and perspectives to convey a synthetic discourse
5. Apply problem identification, exploration and solution skills to address real life situations and events
6. Work independently or in teamwork including in multidisciplinary teams and complex situation scenarios
7. Develop a project plan incorporating appropriate data management strategy.
Contents
The challenges of the modern global society require approaches that break the epistemological barriers of disciplines and professions, creating a common, integrated space, in which the rigidity of compartmentalized knowledge gives way to dialogue, the creation of new concepts, approaches and interrelationships. Physics and Chemistry in the 21st century will travel through the frontiers of Physics and Chemistry in the 21st century exploring the scientific challenges and everyday life problems and phenomena and the way science is called upon them and influences society and ultimately the planet.
The goal is to understand how physics and chemistry are used today (and misused), how recent scientific advances, multidisciplinary research and evidence-based principles are changing our perception of the world and play a vital role in our lives and what are the professional skills and career opportunities.
The goal is to understand how physics and chemistry are used today (and misused), how recent scientific advances, multidisciplinary research and evidence-based principles are changing our perception of the world and play a vital role in our lives and what are the professional skills and career opportunities.
Teaching Methods
The unit comprises:
- Theoretical classes (9h) - focused on scientific and professional skills development including data evaluation, analytical thinking and problem solving approaches, scientific communication, independent working, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches
- Seminars (15h) - delivered by practicing researchers explore the new trends of Physics and Chemistry and different societal challenges and interdisciplinary areas where these sciences play an underpinning role.
- Field trips (12h) visits to R&D units, industries and other institutions with speed dating interviews with scientists and technicians and/or hands-on practical field work.
- Thematic Bootcamp (9h) challenge based workshop where students will be confronted with a problem / theme and will have to devise a strategy for its solution and identify the role of Physics / Chemistry within.
This unit was designed to ensure that there are no unnecessary barriers to learning or assessment.
- Theoretical classes (9h) - focused on scientific and professional skills development including data evaluation, analytical thinking and problem solving approaches, scientific communication, independent working, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches
- Seminars (15h) - delivered by practicing researchers explore the new trends of Physics and Chemistry and different societal challenges and interdisciplinary areas where these sciences play an underpinning role.
- Field trips (12h) visits to R&D units, industries and other institutions with speed dating interviews with scientists and technicians and/or hands-on practical field work.
- Thematic Bootcamp (9h) challenge based workshop where students will be confronted with a problem / theme and will have to devise a strategy for its solution and identify the role of Physics / Chemistry within.
This unit was designed to ensure that there are no unnecessary barriers to learning or assessment.
Assessment
The Units evaluation was envisaged to allow assessment of students practical and scientific skills, both individually and in collaborative environments, including information and scientific data gathering and critical appraisal, communication skills and social skills.
The evaluation comprises 3 components:
1. Essay
Each student will choose one or more Physics or Chemistry scientific or technological challenge(s) and produce a critical essay based on literature review and teachers guidance and supervision.
1. 2. Fieldtrip Portfolio
2. Each student will create its own workbook to document and compile the information gathered during the field trips including bibliography, interviews, field work activities and critical appraisal
3. Boot Camp poster presentation and pitch session
During the Boot Camp sessions, students will work in groups (of 4) and are expected to produce a poster and present it to a broader audience evidencing arguments and envisaged solutions or perspectives.
The evaluation comprises 3 components:
1. Essay
Each student will choose one or more Physics or Chemistry scientific or technological challenge(s) and produce a critical essay based on literature review and teachers guidance and supervision.
1. 2. Fieldtrip Portfolio
2. Each student will create its own workbook to document and compile the information gathered during the field trips including bibliography, interviews, field work activities and critical appraisal
3. Boot Camp poster presentation and pitch session
During the Boot Camp sessions, students will work in groups (of 4) and are expected to produce a poster and present it to a broader audience evidencing arguments and envisaged solutions or perspectives.
Teaching Staff
Certificações
