Syllabus

Description

Students will examine the structure, composition, characteristics, properties, behaviours and deterioration of textile fibres, paper fibres, parchment and vellum, as well as the decoration, colorants, dyes, pigments and finishes applied to textiles and paper objects. The effects of cleaning solutions on organic materials are also discussed.

Aim and Learning Outcomes

Aim:

To enable students to:

identify, assess and treat fibres, costumes and textiles

assess and treat paper and parchment including dry and liquid media

use identification and assessment skills to treat archival, library and photographic materials

Learning Outcomes:

Students will have demonstrated the ability to:

know the chemical characteristics, properties and behaviours of animal, vegetable and synthetic fibres

identify animal, vegetable and synthetic fit es using analytical methods

know the chemical characteristics and behaviour of paper and parchment

understand the characteristics of various media including inks, dyes, charcoal and graphite

know the effects of cleaning paper by wet and dry techniques

comprehend the properties of materials found in archival and library holdings (prints, maps, drawings, manuscripts, photographs, etc.) and the specific challenges of their form, structure, support and environmental impacts

demonstrate the differences between historic and contemporary plastics and polymers, including compact discs and video tapes

perceive the concept of deacidification for archival holdings

understand the key characteristics of historic photographic processes and distinguish between examples

use and promote safety skills in a laboratory environment

write laboratory reports using proper scientific methods, data collection and documentation of current research literature

understand laboratory techniques and methods

Course Format

Three hours per week of Applied Material Science. This three hour session per week includes:

(a) Lecture 1 hour 20 minutes

(b) Break 10 minutes

(c) Laboratory 1 hour 30 minutes

Course Content

Week of	Lecture	Chapter
Sept 1	Course Intro/General Physical Chemistry Lab: Lab Safety & Report Layout	4, 5, & 6
Sept 8	General Organic Chemistry Lab: Exp # 1: Functional Group Identification	20, 21
Sept 15	Plastics and Polymers I Lab: Exp # 2: Polymerization: Synthesis of Nylon	25
Sept 22	Plastics and Polymers II Lab: Exp # 3: Media Tape Analysis * Assignment One Due	"Sony" Handout
Sept 29	Chemical Characteristics of Animal, Vegetable and Synthetic Fibres Lab: Exp# 4: Dyes and Dyeing of Fibres	22, 23
Oct 6	Identification of Fibres by Analytical Methods Lab: Exp # 5: Synthesis of Soap I	24
Oct 13	Traditional Paper and Parchment Lab: Exp # 6: Synthesis of Soap II * Assignment Two Due	27
Oct 20	Independent Study Week
Oct 27	Midterm Test/Mass Produced Paper & Parchment Lab: Exp # 7: Oxidation of Paper	28
Nov 3	Media Characteristics: inks, dyes, charcoal & graphite Lab: Exp # 8: Synthesis of Methyl Orange	Handouts provided
Nov 10	Effects of Wet & Dry Techniques Lab: Exp # 9: Infrared Spectral Analysis * Assignment Three Due	Handouts provided
Nov 17	Collections in Archival and Library Holdings Lab: Exp #10: Deacidification of Paper	Handouts provided
Nov 24	Challenges of Archival Holdings	Handouts provided
Dec 1	Historic Photographic Processes Lab: Exp #11 : Photographics Analysis * Assignment Four Due	Handouts provided
Dec 8	Christmas Test

Students are expected to remain flexible throughout the course for attendance at seminars.

Readings:

Required Materials:

Hein, M., Best, L.R. and S. Pattison. College Chemistry: An Introduction Publishing Company, California, 1988.

Laboratory Manual for Material Science 111

Additional Materials for Reference:

Science for Conservators Books l, 11 and 111

Molecular Model Kit

Elements of Archaeological Conservation, J.M. Cronyn

Prerequisites:

Course Nos. 1380202, 1380207, 1380210, 1380213, 1380203, 1380208, 1380211, 1380214

Evaluation

Assignments (4 - 5% each)	20%
Pre-labs (8 - 2% each)	16%
Laboratories (8 - 3% each)	24%
Midterm test (Week of Oct 27)	15%
Christmas test (Week of Dec 5)	25%
Total	100%

Students are required to complete all laboratories but may submit eight laboratories for evaluation.

Course Policies

1. Tests will be written during class times. Makeup tests are normally not allowed (see student rights and responsibilities), however a makeup test may be scheduled in the event of documented illness or if personal circumstances prohibit the student from writing a scheduled test.
2. Tests will cover material from lectures, laboratory exercises, and assigned readings.
3. A student will be removed from class in the event of inappropriate, unsafe practices during laboratory experiments. (see lab safety & information sheet)
4. Students work in pairs, unless directed otherwise, to perform lab experiments. No one is permitted to perform an experiment unless supervised by a staff member.
5. All components of the course must be completed. Assignments must be submitted in the format outlined by the instructor.

Academic Policies

1. Presentation

Written assignments must be:

typed or word-processed

double spaced

proofed for spelling and grammatical errors

enclosed with a single cover sheet which includes student name, title of the assignment and date of submission

stapled in the top left hand corner (unbound)

include a bibliography (where appropriate)

use a recognized method of citation (eg. MLA or Chicago)

2. Re-writes

Faculty may request a re-write of a submission if the criteria for assessment have not been met.

Late penalties will apply if the assignment is not re-submitted the following day.

3. Penalties for Late Submissions

Completion of Term Work

All assignments must be completed in order for students to achieve a passing grade.

Late Assignments

Late assignments receive the following penalty:

Marks will be deducted at the rate of 10% per day for three days after which assignments are marked at zero.

Faculty are not obliged to provide feedback on assignments marked at zero.

Oral Presentations

Oral presentations and/or practical test or projects for evaluation must be delivered on the day scheduled. A "no show" will be graded at zero, unless adequate explanation is provided.

4. Academic Integrity

Plagiarism is a serious breach of academic integrity and the college has a strict policy on this issue (see Academic Regulations).

It is a student's responsibility to ensure that all written submissions include an appropriate method of in text citation as well as an accompanying bibliography.

Seminar and oral presentations should be supported by a bibliography and sources should be referred to during the presentation.

5. Make-up Tests

In valid circumstances (ill-health, personal crisis), a student may be given a make-up test to compensate for one missed in class-time. Students must contact the instructor within seven days of the original test in order to request a make-up.

6. Extensions & GDFS

An extension may be granted to an individual student based on need and circumstance. Medical grounds should be substantiated.

The revised due date will be recorded and signed by both parties.

The entire class may be given an extension, at the discretion of faculty.

Incomplete a Grade Deferred marks at the end of the semester must be negotiated between student and faculty (see Academic Regulations). Note: these are a privilege to be granted under special circumstances, not used in order to compensate for poor planning.

7. Site Work

Students must agree to work within the parameters of the guidelines established for site work. Failure to comply, may result in the termination of project and suspension of the privilege of access.