Marine Physicochemical Processes (250561) – Course 2025/26 PDF
Syllabus
Learning Objectives
This subject will review some of the most important physical-chemical processes that occur in seawater, and which have great relevance in organic and inorganic processes related to primary productivity, pollution and sustainability in the use and exploitation of coastal waters. Emphasis will be placed on aspects such as seawater chemistry, reducing agents, photochemical reactions, solubility, precipitation and dissolution, ionic force and balance, etc. 1.- The redox chemistry of seawater. Reducing agents. The role of microorganisms. Photochemical reactions 2.- Thermodynamics of aqueous systems. Solubility. Product of solubility. Precipitation and dissolution. Effects of temperature. Ideal solutions and real solutions. 3.- Ionic strength and balance. Colloids Types. Interaction between colloidal particles. Dissemination processes. This subject focuses on highlighting aspects related to the state of health of the marine environment, mainly oriented to two well differentiated but complementary aspects. On the one hand, the ecological, ecosystemic and environmental aspects, which will give the students a specific vision of the environmental problems present in the marine environment, produced by the use and exploitation of the resources that it provides. On the other hand, this subject represents a transition of knowledge for students between the Extension of the subject of Basic Sciences, the subject of Applied Sciences and Techniques This course will review some of the most important physicochemical processes that take place in seawater, and which are of great relevance in organic and inorganic processes related to primary productivity, pollution and sustainability in the use and exploitation of coastal waters. Emphasis will be placed on aspects such as seawater chemistry, reducing agents, photochemical reactions, solubility, precipitation and dissolution, ionic strength and equilibrium, and so on. This subject focuses on highlighting aspects related to the state of health of the marine environment, mainly aimed at two well-differentiated but complementary aspects. On the one hand, the ecological, ecosystemic and environmental aspects, which will give students a specific view of the environmental problems present in the marine environment, produced by the use and exploitation of the resources it provides. On the other hand, this subject represents a transition of knowledge for the students between the Extension of the subject of Basic Sciences, to the subject of Applied Sciences and Techniques.
Competencies
Especific
To know and apply the lexicon and concepts of the Marine Sciences and Technologies and other related fields.
Establish a good practice in the integration of common numerical, laboratory and field techniques in the analysis of any problem related to the marine environment.
To set, evaluate and propose solutions to the different conflicts of use and exploitation in the marine and coastal environment resources based on scientific and technical criteria.
Generic
Develop a professional activity in the field of Marine Sciences and Technologies.
Address in a comprehensive manner the analysis and preservation of the marine environment with sustainability criteria.
Total hours of student work
| Hours | Percentage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervised Learning | Large group | 36h | 60.00 % | |
| Medium group | 12h | 20.00 % | ||
| Laboratory classes | 12h | 20.00 % | ||
| Self Study | 90h | |||
Teaching Methodology
The course consists of 2,3 hours per week of classroom activity (large size group) and 1,2 hours weekly with half the students (medium size group). The 2,3 hours in the large size groups are devoted to theoretical lectures, in which the teacher presents the basic concepts and topics of the subject, shows examples and solves exercises. The 1,2 hours in the medium size groups is devoted to solving practical problems with greater interaction with the students. The objective of these practical exercises is to consolidate the general and specific learning objectives. The rest of weekly hours devoted to laboratory practice. Support material in the form of a detailed teaching plan is provided using the virtual campus ATENEA: content, program of learning and assessment activities conducted and literature. Although most of the sessions will be given in the language indicated, sessions supported by other occasional guest experts may be held in other languages.
Grading Rules
The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.
The qualification of the subject is obtained from the average of the different evaluable activities within the continuous evaluation: partial exam 1 (32.5%), partial exam 2 (32.5%), continuous delivery of exercises (5%), practice (15 %) and final work of the subject (15%). The continuous evaluation will consist of carrying out the different activities and the partial exams. The non-presentation of any activity implies non-continuous evaluation. The evaluation tests (exams) consist of a part with questions about concepts associated with the learning objectives of the subject in terms of knowledge or understanding, and a set of application exercises. Each part will be worth 50%.
Test Rules
If any of the continuous assessment activities are not carried out in the scheduled period, it will be considered a zero score. The first partial removes material as long as the score is above 3. In the event of a review, the final grade will be a maximum of 5.0, if the exam grade is less than 5.0, the final grade will be the maximum value between the course and the reevaluation note.
Office Hours
Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12pm to 2pm
Bibliography
Basic
- Atkins, P.W.; De Paula, J. Química física. 8a ed. Buenos Aires: Editorial Médica Panamericana, 2008. ISBN 9789500612487.
- Levine, I.N. Principios de fisicoquímica. 6a ed. México: McGraw-Hill, 2014. ISBN 9786071509888.
- Levine, I.N. Problemas de fisicoquímica. Madrid: McGraw-Hill, 2005. ISBN 8448198336.