KONS1005 – Science for Conservators and Archaeologists II
Course content
This course aims to introduce students to the use and application of polymers in conservation. The course provides the students with an understanding of the chemistry and degradation processes of the most commonly used organic consolidants, adhesives, and coatings. A broad spectrum of materials will be introduced, including hydrocarbons, polysaccharides, proteins, natural resins, vinyl acetate-derived polymers, acrylic polymers, silicon-containing polymers, polyester, polyurethane, epoxy resins, and thermoplastics. An emphasis will be given on the properties of these commonly used materials and on the assessment of their impact in conservation treatments and reversibility. Moreover, the course provides hands-on experience on the application of the important polymers used in conservation.
Learning outcome
By the completion of this course, the students are expected to:
- Have acquired concrete knowledge of the basic properties of the functional groups of organic molecules.
- Confidently classify and be able to name them using the IUPAC nomenclature rules.
- Describe the polymerisation process and know how to classify polymers based on their structure and properties.
- Have acquired concrete knowledge about the interaction of polymers used in conservation with different substrates.
- Identify and assess the commercially available polymers by testing their measurable physical properties.
- Be able to explain the processes governing the deterioration of coatings, adhesives, and consolidants.
- Have acquired concrete knowledge about the chemical properties and the solubility of polymers used in conservation.
- Critically assess and test the use of polymers based on specific conservation treatment needs and reversibility.
- Recognize and identify possible H&S hazards related to the use of solvents, adhesives, coatings, and consolidants used in conservation treatments.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
This course is not available for single course students.
Students must be admitted to Kulturarv- og konserveringsstudier (bachelor) or Arkeologi (bachelor).
Recommended previous knowledge
The students are recommended to have attended KONS1001.
Teaching
The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and lab-sessions.
The course has 75% mandatory attendance. Absence from classes must be documented, and must be applied for.
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
The final grade will be based on a final 4 hours written exam (60 %) and on the evaluation of a portfolio with the laboratory reports (40 %).
Both the written exam and the portfolio must be passed in the same semester in order for the total grade to be a passing grade. In order to sit for the final exam, the student must deliver the laboratory reports.
?
The exam is held every other year, the same year as the the course is held.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.