Plastics: Chemistry, Identification and Degradation (5 ECTS)

Objective

The student knows the chemistry of plastics, is able to identify plastics and understands the process of aging and deterioration of plastics. The student knows identification methods of plastics and is able to work safely and independently in laboratory. The student is familiar with the history and production methods of plastics. The student understands the relevance of environmental circumstances for the preservation of plastics.

Content

Chemistry and aging of plastics, production and history of plastics.
Identification of plastics and safe laboratory work.
Deterioration of plastics and effect of environmental circumstances.

Location and time

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Degree Programme in Conservation's premises.

Materials

Yvonne Shashoua, Conservation of plastics : material science, degradation and preservation
Quye, Anita; Williamson, Colin, Plastics: collecting and conserving
Thea van Oosten (edit), Properties of plastics: a guide for conservators


Literature list and study hand-outs given by the lecturer before the course start and during the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures, contact teaching, problem based learning, guided assignments, independent assignments, independent work with literature. Tuition is in Finnish.

Employer connections

Working life collaboration takes place through visits and/or visiting lecturers and professional discussions.

Completion alternatives

No option

Student workload

The weekly working hours of a student is 1,5 cr which is equivalent to 40 hours of studies. 40 hours is formed from approx. 15 - 20 hours of contact studies with a lecturer. The remaining hours is spent by independent literature survey or practical work. 1 credit (cr) is equivalent to 27 hours (h).

Further information

During the study module the student should read up on the given literature together with practical work.

The course will be implemented as a project based learning. The idea is learning through making practical work. Student has a role as an investigative learner.
Attendance requirement 80 %.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is familiar with plastics chemistry and history but has problems in identification and classification of plastics. The student´s skills in using and knowing identification methods is insufficient. The student´s knowledge concerning aging, deterioration and environmental factors of plastics is weak. The understanding of main topics of the course is insufficient and knowledge of plastics is narrow. The student´s laboratory work needs supervision and independent data collection is not sufficient.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student knows well the history and chemistry of plastics and is able to apply his/her knowledge in identification and classification of plastics. The student is able to use identification methods coherently and properly. The student works in laboratory safely and in appropriate manner. The student´s knowledge concerning aging, deterioration and environmental factors of plastics is proper. The student has adopted the main topics of the course well and coherently. The student is independently able to collect appropriate data.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student has achieved the course goals with excellence. The student has worked coherently and has good knowledge of plastics chemistry and deterioration. The student is able to use independently different plastics identification methods and works in laboratory safely and independently. The student knows well the history plastics and is able to apply her/his knowledge for plastics identification and classification. The student has good knowledge concerning aging, deterioration and environmental factors of plastics and he/she is able to apply learned well. The student is able to collect data independently and critically.

Assessment methods and criteria

Learning assignment 60 %, continuous assessment 40 %.
Assessment is based on continuous assessment of a student and attendance.