Course Details

Chemistry

Academic Year 2026/27

BCA101-A course is part of 1 study plan

BPA-SIS Winter Semester 1st year

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.

Credits

3 credits

Language of instruction

English

Semester

winter

Course Guarantor

Institute

Forms and criteria of assessment

course-unit credit and examination

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.

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.

Basic Literature

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

Prerequisites

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

Offered to foreign students

To offer to students of all faculties

Course on BUT site

Lecture

13 weeks, 2 hours/week, elective

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 weeks, 1 hours/week, compulsory

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.

Self-study

13 weeks, 1 hours/week

Individual preparation for an ending of the course

26 weeks, 1 hours/week