Thermodynamics Premaster Course

Course manual 2025/2026

Study materials

Literature

• Elements of physical chemistry, Atkins & de Paula

Objectives

• The student is able to demonstrate understanding of the basic laws and principles of thermodynamics.
• The student is able to determine thermodynamic properties of selected important chemical systems.
• The student is able to derive the appropriate equations for specific thermodynamic properties by using the mathematical framework of thermodynamics.
• The student is able to perform numerical calculations for specific thermodynamic properties and can program thermodynamic calculations in python.
• The student is able to interpret the results from thermodynamic calculations.

Teaching methods

• Seminar
• Laptop seminar
• Self-study

The theory and concepts are explained during the lectures. In the seminars, the students can work on exercises and practice exam questions. Every week, the students have to complete a digital assignment in SOWISO. The student will also do a computer lab to program their own thermodynamic calculations. 

Learning activities

Attendance

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance during the tutorials will be registered. Missing tutorials without notifying the TA or lecturer will result in a delay in getting help via email. 

Assessment

• The grade is based for 80% on the exam and for 20% on the average grade of the weekly assignments. 
• The assignments are mandatory. Missing an assignment means that that assignment is graded with 1.  All assignment grades are included in the average grade. 
• There are no retakes for the assignments, except for compelling personal issues. A retake can be requested via the study advisor. 
• The resit is based on the retake exam for 100%. The weekly assignments will not be included in the grade of the resit. 
• There are 6 assignments in SOWISO and one coding/programming assignment. 

Inspection of assessed work

You can contact the lecturers via email and fix an appointment to inspect the exam. 

Assignments will be discussed during the tutorials. 

Assignments

During the tutorials, you will work on exercises to practice the subject discussed in that week. There are six topics. Each topic has an assignment. The course concludes with a coding/programming assignment. 

20% of the final grade is based on the average grade of the weekly assignments (7 in total, 6 in SOWISO and 1 computerlab). 

• The assignments are mandatory. Missing an assignment means that that assignment is graded with 1.  All assignment grades are included in the average grade. 
• There are no retakes for the assignments, except for compelling personal issues. A retake can be requested via the study adviser. 

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Jocelyne Vreede

Staff

• Sopheak Seng (teaching assistant)
• Sander Woutersen (lecturer)