Chemistry

Course title

40125800

Chemistry

Middle-level Diploma Policy (mDP)

Program / Major	mDP	Goals
Department of Design Engineering	C	数学、自然科学、及び情報技術の基礎を理解し、それらを応用できる。

Purpose of class

Everything around us is made of various substances, and we ourselves are composed of many different substances as well. Chemistry is the discipline that investigates what kinds of structures these substances have and what properties they exhibit. In this course, students will learn fundamental concepts needed to understand the relationship between the structure and properties of matter, and will build a foundation for independently considering why familiar chemicals show particular properties and why they are used in specific applications. In addition, the course aims to help students acquire a methodology for appropriately obtaining, examining, and evaluating information about chemical substances that may affect our daily lives.

Course description

This course covers fundamental topics that form the basis for understanding the structure and properties of matter, including atomic and molecular structure, the periodic table, chemical bonding and intermolecular forces, and the three states of matter. The course explains how these fundamentals relate to the properties of chemical substances. Building on these concepts, the course also introduces characteristics and properties of chemicals ranging from familiar consumer products to substances related to human health and the global environment. Furthermore, through group work, students will consider how to obtain information on chemicals that may impact everyday life, how to evaluate such information, and how to connect it to sound judgment and decision-making. Students’ understanding will be reinforced through quizzes and assignments, and the course will guide students to develop the basic competency to form their own views on societal issues involving chemicals.

Goals and objectives

Explain in their own words fundamental concepts used to describe the structure and properties of matter (e.g., atomic/molecular structure, how to read and use the periodic table, chemical bonding, intermolecular forces).
Describe the basic structures and properties of chemical substances encountered in everyday life.
Acquire a methodology for collecting and evaluating information about chemical substances and making appropriate judgments.

Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

	exercises and reports	mid-term examination	final examination	Total.
1.	10%	25%	10%	45%
2.	10%	10%	20%	40%
3.	5%		10%	15%
Total.	25%	35%	40%	-

Evaluation method and criteria

Grades will be based on assignments and quizzes (25 points), the midterm exam (35 points), and the final exam (40 points), for a total of 100 points. A score of 60 points or higher is required to pass. The passing standard is the ability to accurately explain the structure and basic properties of chemical substances encountered in everyday life.

Language

Japanese

Class schedule

	Class schedule	HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.)	Amount of Time Required
1.	Why Study Chemistry? — Understanding the Importance of Chemistry as Literacy	Read the syllabus carefully.	30minutes
1.		Submit the assigned task by the next class.	90minutes
2.	What Is Matter Made Of? — Atomic Structure; How to Read the Periodic Table	Research the periodic table and how to interpret it.	90minutes
2.		Submit the assigned task by the next class.	110minutes
3.	How Is Matter Formed? — Chemical Bonds as Forces That Build Matter; Forces Between Molecules	Research types of chemical bonding and intermolecular forces.	90minutes
3.		Submit the assigned task by the next class.	110minutes
4.	Classification of Materials Around Us — Types and Characteristics of Inorganic and Organic Substances	Investigate what substances familiar items are made of.	90minutes
4.		Submit the assigned task by the next class.	110minutes
5.	States of Matter — Three States of Matter; Properties of Gases; Phase Diagrams and How to Read Them	Research the three states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas).	90minutes
5.		Submit the assigned task by the next class.	110minutes
6.	Chemical Reactions and Solutions — What Is a Chemical Reaction? Activation Energy; Chemical Equilibrium	Investigate examples of chemical reactions encountered in everyday life.	90minutes
6.		Submit the assigned task by the next class.	110minutes
7.	Midterm Examination and Review	Review and organize the contents covered so far.	200minutes
8.	Considering Social Issues Related to Familiar Chemical Products — Group Discussion	Research issues the chemical industry must consider beyond product manufacturing.	90minutes
8.		Submit the assigned task by the next class.	110minutes
9.	Life, Health, and Chemistry — Proteins and Lipids; Nucleic Acids; Nutrients and Pharmaceuticals	Research chemical substances related to familiar nutrients, foods, and pharmaceuticals.	90minutes
9.		Submit the assigned task by the next class.	110minutes
10.	Global Environment and Chemistry — Chemicals and Weather/Environment; Energy and Chemistry	Research chemical substances related to environmental issues and energy.	90minutes
10.		Submit the assigned task by the next class.	110minutes
11.	Chemistry in Everyday Life (1): Daily Consumer Products — Chemistry of Cleaning; Skin and Cosmetics	Research what kinds of chemical substances are used in daily consumer products.	90minutes
11.		Submit the assigned task by the next class.	110minutes
12.	Chemistry in Everyday Life (2): Chemicals and Materials — Chemistry Related to Infrastructure; Chemistry of Friction and Lubrication	Research chemical products used in industry.	90minutes
12.		Submit the assigned task by the next class.	110minutes
13.	Thinking About "Security and Safety" — Group Discussion	Research examples of i) food additives, and ii) the health effects of radiation.	90minutes
13.	Thinking About "Security and Safety" — Group Discussion	Submit the assigned task by the next class.	110minutes
14.	Final Examination and Review	Review and organize the contents covered throughout the course.	200minutes
Total.	-	-	2720minutes

Feedback on exams, assignments, etc.

ways of feedback	specific contents about "Other"
Feedback in the class

Textbooks and reference materials

1) 齋藤勝裕著　「新楽しくわかる化学」東京化学同人
2) 大学の基礎化学教育研究会編　「物質科学の基礎としての化学入門第２版」学術図書出版社
3) 辻井薫著　「生活と産業のなかのコロイド・界面科学」米田出版

Prerequisites

Office hours and How to contact professors for questions

Feedback will be given in class. Upon request, I can also respond to questions via email or Zoom.

Regionally-oriented

Non-regionally-oriented course

Development of social and professional independence

Course that cultivates a basic problem-solving skills

Active-learning course

About half of the classes are interactive

Course by professor with work experience

Work experience	Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable
Applicable	Using my R&D experience in consumer and industrial chemicals, I will teach the link between fundamental materials chemistry and its industrial applications in an accessible way.

Education related SDGs:the Sustainable Development Goals

3.GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
6.CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
7.AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
9.INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
11.SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
12.RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION
13.CLIMATE ACTION
14.LIFE BELOW WATER
15.LIFE ON LAND

Last modified : Wed Apr 29 11:20:12 JST 2026