autumn 2025
PRO-2808 Introduction to Electrochemistry - 10 ECTS

Type of course

The course can be taken as a single course.

Admission requirements

General study qualification with Mathematics R1+R2 and Physics FYS1.

Application code: 9391

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Generell studiekompetanse og Matematikk R1+R2 og Fysikk 1.

Søkere som kan dokumentere ett av følgende kvalifiserer også for opptak:

  • generell studiekompetanse og bestått realfagkurs, eller
  • bestått 1-årig forkurs for ingeniørutdanning, eller
  • 2-årig teknisk fagskole etter rammeplan fastsatt av departementet 1998/99 og tidligere studieordninger

*For å få opptak til enkeltemner på grunnlag av Y-veien, må søkeren oppfylle opptakskriteriene for Y-vei til studieprogrammet som emnet inngår i. I tillegg må søkeren oppfylle eventuelle forkunnskapskrav som er spesifisert for det konkrete emnet de søker opptak til. Det gis begrenset studierett til det spesifikke emnet - på samme måte som realkompetansesøkere.

Søknadskode: 9391


Course content

This course is intended to teach fundamentals of electrochemistry and the application of electrochemical methods to chemical problems. Topics to be discussed include:

  • Introduction to electrochemistry
  • Theory of electrolytes
  • The electrified interface
  • The structure of the double layer
  • Theories of the double layer
  • Electrodes and electrochemical cells
  • Electrode potentials and activities
  • Thermodynamics of cells
  • Ion transport, diffusion, and hydrodynamics
  • Conductivity of electrolytes
  • Electrochemical kinetics
  • Faraday's Laws
  • The Butler-Volmer equation
  • Sources of overpotential
  • Techniques of electrochemistry
  • Electrochemical cells
  • Mechanisms of electrochemical reactions
  • Hydrogen electrode reaction
  • Oxygen electrode reaction
  • Electroanalytical chemistry: Potentiometric methods of analysis
  • Voltammetry and coulometry
  • Amperometric titrations
  • Batteries and fuel cells
  • Energetics of batteries
  • Types of battery
  • Battery design
  • Economics of batteries
  • Fuel cells

Recommended prerequisites

TEK-1505 Chemistry

Objectives of the course

Knowledge:

  • Introduction to electrochemistry: thermodynamics, electrode potentials, the Nernst equation, galvanic and electrolytic cells, electrode kinetics, dynamic electrochemistry, mass transport by migration, diffusion and convection, diffusion layers.
  • The application of Nernst equation and the Tafel equation to different electrochemical systems
  • Define the term overpotential, explain its origin and the relationship between current and potential for some types of electrochemical cells
  • The electrochemical double layer.
  • Electrochemical instrumentation and techniques
  • Potentiostatic and galvanostatic experiments i.e., Cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry
  • Basic principle of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
  • Electrochemical purification of water
  • Electrochemistry of Biological Cells

Skills:

  • Know the structure and properties of electrode-electrolyte interfaces.
  • Apply some common electrochemical methods to electrochemical systems and explain which type of information that can be obtained with these techniques
  • Record polarization curves for different materials and explain which type of information that can be obtained with this technique
  • Understand the concept of Pourbaix diagram and its application in an electrochemical system
  • Record and interpret Impedance plane plots and their application in finding internal and external resistance in a fuel-cell stack

Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

Lectures and exercises/lab work in 4 sessions/week

Compulsory tasks comprised of numerical calculations, assignments and reporting (written and/or oral presentation).

All organized teaching, course literature, and handouts are considered as course material.

Guest lectures may occur. Voluntary quizzes may occur.

Audio and video of what takes place in the classroom will be recorded and will be made available live and on demand to course participants. Relevant links will also be published on Canvas.

There will be a meeting week (samlingsuke) for online students to conduct exercises/lab work. Online students must attend at least one day during the meeting week to complete exercises/lab work.


Schedule

More info about the coursework requirements

3 out of 4 assignments must be approved in order to obtain exam rights.

Students must attend at least one day during the meeting week (samlingsuke) to conduct lab experiments.


More info about the portfolio

  • Students need to do research work that will be defined during the first half of the course. This work is to be presented in the form of an essay/project report.
  • Practical lab project for all students. This work is handed in as a lab report.
  • 4 assignments such as questions and exercises are given.

All parts of the assessment must be passed independently of each other in order to pass the course.


Re-sit examination

A re-sit exam will be arranged only for the school exam/written exam.
  • About the course
  • Campus: Narvik | Nettstudium |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: PRO-2808
  • Earlier years and semesters for this topic