Course detail

Chemistry

FAST-BCA101-AAcad. year: 2026/2027

Selected topics in general and physical chemistry, chemical bonding, chemical reaction kinetics, thermochemistry, chemical equilibria, dispersion systems, dissociation, pH, hydrolysis, electrochemistry. Natural and secondary raw materials for the construction industry. Chemistry of glass. Air and hydraulic binders: production, chemical properties, setting, and hardening. Corrosion of binders and aggregates in composite materials. Chemical properties of other construction materials, their degradation, and protection against degradation. Chemical and electrochemical properties of metals, metal corrosion, and corrosion protection. Chemical properties of water, wastewater, water for concrete production. Chemical composition of the atmosphere, air pollutants. Chemical composition and properties of wood, resins, and carbon- and silicon-based macromolecular substances.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. RNDr. Pavel Rovnaník, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Chemistry (CHE)

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Entry knowledge

Basic structure of atoms, periodic table of the elements, basic chemical laws, basic inorganic and organic nomenclature, simple stoichiometric calculations, basics from organic chemistry.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The course assessment consists of two compulsory parts.

  • Assessment of laboratory session, where the student works out the assigned tasks and successfully passes 2 tests on nomenclature and chemical calculations (20 points)
  • Assessment of the final examination test (80 points).

Lectures are optional, laboratory sessions are compulsory.

Aims

Expertise

The graduate can:

  • describe the effect of different types of bonds on the behaviour of molecules and their influence on the properties of building materials.
  • explain the dissociation of molecules, acids and bases, pH and different types of chemical reactions.
  • characterize different types of dispersions and describe the principles of their stabilization.
  • describe the chemical composition of building binders and the basic principles of their production, setting and hardening.
  • describe the chemical composition of organic materials such as wood, asphalts and basic polymers and describe their properties.
  • describe the different types of degradation of building materials based on gypsum, lime binders, concrete, wood, plastics and corrosion of metals.
  • describe the composition of natural water and identify undesirable substances that can cause degradation of building materials.

Professional skills

The graduate can:

  • solve basic chemical calculations for the preparation of solutions and pH of strong acids and bases, calculate the yield of chemical processes.
  • apply theoretical knowledge in the production and diagnosis of building materials and propose measures to prevent corrosion processes.
  • assess the environmental impact of the production of building materials.

Competence

The graduate will gain:

  • Ability to collaborate with others to solve problems and projects.
  • Ability to analyze and evaluate information and arguments in the context of building chemistry.
  • Ability to make independent and responsible decisions based on acquired knowledge and skills.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Hewlett P. C. Lea’s Chemistry of Cement and Concrete, Butterworth Heinemann, 4th edition, Oxford, 1998. (EN)
Rovnaník P. Building chemistry – Laboratory Sessions, Akademické nakladatelství CERM, Brno, 2014. (EN)
Rovnaník P. Presentations from Building Chemistry, 2025. (EN)
Zumdahl S. S. Chemistry, D. C. Heath and Company, USA, 1986. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPA-SIS Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. RNDr. Pavel Rovnaník, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Atomic mass, mole, atomic structure, isotopes, radioactivity.
  2. Atomic shell structure, electronegativity, periodicity of properties of elements, periodic table.
  3. Chemical bonding, polarity of bonds, chemical equations, stoichiometry, dissociation of molecules, pH.
  4. Chemical kinetics, reaction rate, catalysis, thermochemistry, chemical equilibria.
  5. States of matter, gases, liquids, solids, surface tension, capillary phenomena.
  6. Dispersion systems – aerosols, foams, emulsions, suspensions, colloidal systems, gels, real solutes, surfactants.
  7. Properties of selected inorganic compounds of carbon and silicon, chemistry and degradation of glass.
  8. Chemical composition and properties of natural and secondary raw materials used in civil engineering.
  9. Binders – production, composition and properties of gypsum, Sorel cement, lime, hydraulic lime, Portland cement and alumina cement. Pozzolanas.
  10. Chemical degradation of binders and construction materials, protection against degradation.
  11. Electrochemical properties of metals, standard redox potentials, galvanic cells, electrolysis, metals and corrosion of metals.
  12. Chemistry of water and air. Chemical composition of wood and degradation to wooden structures. Asphalts.
  13. Composition and properties of carbon-based polymers, their chemical stability. Composition and properties of polysiloxanes, chemical stability.

Exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. RNDr. Pavel Rovnaník, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Basic information. Safety instructions.
  2. Acids and bases.
  3. pH, oxidation and reduction.
  4. Lime, cement and other building materials.
  5. Water.
  6. Metals.
  7. Final test.

Individual preparation for an ending of the course

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. RNDr. Pavel Rovnaník, Ph.D.

Self-study

13 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. RNDr. Pavel Rovnaník, Ph.D.