Physical-Chemistry

Code:

MI071207

Acronym:

QUIFIS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physical Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://sigarra.up.pt/ffup/en/UCURR_GERAL.FICHA_UC_VIEW?pv_ocorrencia_id=439967
Responsible unit:	Applied Chemistry Laboratory
Course/CS Responsible:	MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MICF	316	MICF - Transition Study Plan 2023/24 - 2024/25 - 2025/26	1	-	6	65	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students
Obs.: Português

Objectives

The aim of this curricular unit is the study of three large areas of physical-chemistry: thermodynamics, kinetics and heterogeneous systems. This therefore consists of the study of chemical thermodynamics – presentation of thermodynamic concepts, their chemical application and the study of biochemical thermodynamics – their application in the thermodynamic knowledge and interpretation of biological and microbiological phenomena, their application in the areas of life sciences and biotechnology. In relation to kinetics, this includes not only the study of chemical kinetics and catalysis but also enzymatic kinetics and enzymatic inhibition. Concerning heterogeneous systems, micelle and liposome systems will be studied, with special emphasis on those applicable as drug delivery systems or for the study of distribution, bioavailability and mechanism of action/interaction with biomembranes of drugs.

Learning outcomes and competences

Main learning outcomes: Students are expected to acquire the following skills:

1) capacity to apply the knowledge acquired in physical-chemistry to other fields of knowledge present in the MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences

2) ability to apply chemical concepts in determining physical-chemical parameters and in solving practical problems

3) ability to present their arguments and solutions in a scientific and correct way.

 

Within the scope of transversal competences, this Course Unit aims to contribute to the development of:

• Cognitive Competencies: analytical, critical, reflective and creative thinking;
• Methodological skills: time management, problem solving skills, planning capacity and digital competencies;
• Social Competences: interpersonal communication and collaborative work.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Students should have knowledge of subject-matters taught in General and Inorganic Chemistry. Students should also have basic knowledge of Biochemistry.

Program

Unit 1 - Chemical and Biochemical Thermodynamics
Concepts and thermodynamic definitions
The zero law of thermodynamic
The first law of thermodynamic
Thermochemistry
The second law of thermodynamic
Gibbs function, free energy and equilibrium
Application of Gibbs function and entropy to biological systems: coupled reactions, phosphate group transfer reactions, and proton transfer reactions
Biochemical application of thermodynamics: active and passive transport, sodium-potassium pump, thermodynamics of glucose metabolism

Unit 2 – Kinetics
Rate of reaction
Rate law
Reaction mechanisms and rate law
Reaction mechanisms based on kinetics and thermodynamics parameters: alkane halogenation and SN1 and SN2 reactions
Chemical Catalysis

Unit 3- Enzyme kinetics and inhibition

Unit 4 – Binary and heterogeneous systems
Introduction to binary phase systems
Phase diagrams
Analytical applications
Introduction to heterogeneous systems
Definition of heterogeneous systems: micelles, vesicles, liposomes, membranes
Importance of studying the interaction of drugs with heterogeneous systems
Heterogeneous systems applied to pharmaceutical technology
Drug delivery using heterogeneous systems
Catalysis using heterogeneous systems
Physico-chemical properties influencing the interaction of drugs with heterogeneous systems
Methodologies for studying the interaction of drugs with heterogeneous systems as biomimetic models of lipidic membranes

Mandatory literature

Chang Raymond; Physical chemistry with applications to biological systems. ISBN: 0-02-321040-0
Atkins Peter; The^elements of physical chemistry. ISBN: 0-19-879290-5
João Sotomayor; Cinética Química, Lidel, 2003. ISBN: 972-757-251-0

Complementary Bibliography

Tinoco Ignacio 070; Physical chemistry: principles and applications in biological sciences. ISBN: 0-13-095943-X
Barrow Gordon M.; Physical chemistry for the life sciences. ISBN: 0-07-003858-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes: 2 hours / week taught with the help of available audiovisuals.

Practical classes: 1 hour/week. Resolution of application problems.

Laboratory classes: 2 hours / week include experimental work related to the subject-matters taught in the theoretical classes. The tasks are undertaken in group and all experimental observations are register, with further calculus discussed at the end of the semester.

 

keywords

Physical sciences > Chemistry > Physical chemistry

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	79,00
Participação presencial	7,50
Trabalho laboratorial	13,50
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	97,00
Frequência das aulas	39,00
Trabalho laboratorial	26,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

The assiduity in the laboratorial classes is compulsory, as established in the Norms of Evaluation of the FFUP. The presence at the theoretical classes is not mandatory.

Calculation formula of final grade

This is the weighted average of the laboratorial classification (obtained during the semester as the distributed evalution or obtained in the practical test as part of the final exam), that contributes with 30%, and the written exam, that contributes with 70%. The lab evaluation is quantified (0 to 20) from the students’ performance during the lab classes, from the recording of experimental observations and associated calculus discussed in a class at the end of the semester (70%). The lab evaluation also comprehends answering some questions given in the written exam (30%). Regarding this last component, some points should be clarified:

a) Students with classification lower than 9.5 after the first call for written exam will not be approved. However, they can be approved in the second call for the written exam if a classification higher than 9.5 is obtained in the reevaluation.

b) If students do not attend to the second call for the written exam or if a classification lower than 9.5 is obtained in the reevaluation, they will not be approved. However, they can submit themselves to the practical test of the final exam in the following two years in order to get approval, as they attendance to the lab classes is considered valid under this period.

The students, who are lawfully allowed to not attend the experimental classes, and hence are not evaluated in a distributed way, will be compulsory expected to perform the practical test in the final exam.

The final exam is composed by two parts: Practical test – it comprehends all the subjects within the laboratorial component of this discipline. One of the experimental protocols will be performed, accompanied by the respective report. The classification should be given within 0 and 20. Besides exceptional cases under Law, the practical test will only be available to students that fulfilled the assiduity requirements and had a classification lower than 9.5 in the laboratory evaluation. Written test – it comprehends all the subjects within the discipline program that were taught. The classification should be given within 0 and 20. Students with classification lower than 9.0 are not approved. Students with classification higher than 9.0 are approved as long as the weighted average of the laboratorial and the written test classifications are equal or higher than 10.

Examinations or Special Assignments

The students, who are lawfully allowed to not attend the experimental classes, and hence are not evaluated in a distributed way, will be compulsory expected to perform the practical test and also the oral test in the final exam.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

cf. current FFUP Evaluation Rules

Classification improvement

The students who wish to improve their own classification can make it through the written test of the final examination.