Program Overview

Open for the Climate: Chemistry and Chemical Processes in Green Transition

The course aims to train students for chemical process and analytical work linked to green societal transformation. Basic chemistry, chemical processes, and safety work are covered in the first part. In the second part, students will learn more about chemical analysis techniques and process technology.

Facts

• Target group: For those who are about to start working in green social transformation, but who lack the necessary knowledge of chemical processes and analysis technology, or for those who already work in, for example, the process industry and want to develop their skills in the field of chemical engineering.
• Prerequisites: The program is given at a basic level.
  • Part 1 requires a general upper secondary school qualification or equivalent.
  • Part 2 requires that you have completed Part 1 or equivalent.
• Scope: The course is xx hours, given at quarter speed (25%) and at a distance with each 1-2 location meetings.
• Language: English.
• Price: 5,000 SEK.
• Course start:
  • Part 1: April-May 2025.
  • Part 2: September-October 2025.

Course Content

The course is divided into two parts; one where students who do not have a chemical background can acquire knowledge and methods in basic chemistry, chemical safety work, and wet chemical analysis. In the second part, we go into more detail on chemical engineering processes and instrument-based chemical analysis.

After Completing the Course

Students should be able to answer questions on:

• Basic concepts in chemistry.
• Sampling and use of basic chemical analysis tools.
• Principles of sustainable chemical processes.
• Environmental and health-impacting chemicals.
• Oral presentation of chemical processes.

Course Areas

• Part 1 (4 weeks):
  • Introduction to chemistry and simple chemical calculations.
  • Elementary wet chemical work.
  • Introduction to safety, environmental/health risks.
• Part 2 (4 weeks):
  • Chemical processes.
  • Sampling and analysis techniques.
  • Industrially sustainable chemical processes.

Prerequisites

In the first part, general competence is required. For the second part, it is required that the first part is completed or equivalent knowledge is held.

Structure

• Part 1: The course is based on self-study of recorded lessons and lab techniques, quizzes, and joint meetings on site.
• Part 2: Follows a similar approach with recorded lessons, lab techniques, but where in-depth work in groups is also performed and presented orally at a joint meeting.

Approval Requirements

• Part 1: Quizzes and lab questions answered to 70% and participation in joint meetings.
• Part 2: In-depth assignment presented orally and where attendance is required.

Teacher

Olov Karlsson is an associate professor at the Division of Wood Science and Engineering (LTU), with a Master in Chemical Engineering (CTH) and Technical Doctor in Organic Chemistry (KTH), and many years of experience in wood chemical work and analysis.

About the Initiative

Open for the climate is an initiative funded by the Swedish government aimed at supporting society's climate transition through open, online-based education. The initiative is a collaboration between eight Swedish universities and offers short courses targeting professionals. The courses cover areas such as leadership for sustainable transformation, digitalization, circular economy, battery technology, and much more.