Chemistry is a scientific discipline that studies both the composition, structure and properties of matter, as well as the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions and its relationship with energy. From a degree point of view, engineering applies chemical knowledge to the economical production of specialty chemicals and materials with minimal adverse impact on the environment. This first-year course in mechanical engineering aims to explain to students the basics of chemistry that they can apply throughout their professional life.
The overall objective of this subject is to introduce the basic theoretical concepts that allow students to understand the nature of matter, going from atoms to molecules and from these to states of aggregation (solids, gases and liquids), introducing intermolecular forces. The fundamentals of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics necessary to understand chemical reactions and equilibria will be provided. And finally, basic concepts of organic and inorganic chemistry will be introduced, as well as different industrial applications of chemistry.