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529-1024-00L 4 Credits BSC D-CHAB , D-BIOL

Physical Chemistry II (for Biology and Pharmacy)

Physikalische Chemie II (für Biol./Pharm.Wiss.)

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Roland Riek
Examiners: Prof. Dr. Roland Riek, Dr. Jason Greenwald
Only for: - Biologie BSc (Programme Regulations 2013) and - Pharmaceutical Sciences BSc (Programme Regulations 2013)
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:08:11

Abstract

Thermodynamic foundations of phase equilibria, intermolecular interactions, and molecular self-assembly; kinetics of chemical reactions and transport processes

Objective

This course teaches physical-chemical foundations of important processes in cells and organisms as well as in galenics. Students learn: 1. Evaluation of chemical equilibria based on chemical potential 2. Interpretation of phase diagrams 3. Which interactions between molecules are important in living cells 4. Why molecules self-organize into aggregates 5. Which physical-chemical basics determine behavior of biomembranes 6. What determines the rate of chemical reactions, in particular also of enzymatically catalyzed reactions 7. What determines the transport rate of matter and heat

Content

chemical potential, prediction of the direction of processes, phase equilibria, phase rule, phase diagrams of pure substances, colligative properties, osmosis, dialysis, surface tension, intermolecular interactions, hydrophobic effect, hydrophilic effect and denaturation, amphiphiles, basics of self-association, micelles, packing parameter, double layers, vesicles, membranes, elementary reactions, parallel reactions, consecutive reactions, Eyring theory, enzyme kinetics, diffusion, heat conduction, active transport

Resources

Lecture Notes

Electronic lecture notes are available in Moodle and on epr.ethz.ch/education.html

Literature

In addition to the lecture script, the following two books can be used to gain deeper understanding Marc R. Roussel, A Life Scientist's Guide to Physical Chemistry, Cambridge University Press, 2012 Jacob Israelachvili, Intermolecular and Surface Forces, Academic Press, 1992

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 40 minutes
Bitte beachten Sie, dass die Prüfung letztmalig in der Wintersession 2023/24 angeboten wirdPlease note that the exam will be offered for the last time during the winter examination session 2023/24

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Physikalische Chemie II (für Biol./Pharm.Wiss.)
Lehrveranstaltung im Selbststudium. Keine Anwesenheit erforderlich. Videoaufzeichnungen des Frühlingssemesters 2021 werden den Studierenden zur Verfügung gestellt. Wird im FS22 das letzte Mal angeboten.
No time listed 2 h weekly
exercise Physikalische Chemie II (für Biol./Pharm.Wiss.)
Lehrveranstaltung im Selbststudium. Keine Anwesenheit erforderlich. Videoaufzeichnungen des Frühlingssemesters 2021 werden den Studierenden zur Verfügung gestellt. Wird im FS22 das letzte Mal angeboten.
No time listed 1 h weekly

Offered In