MATERIAL SCIENCE II: ORGANIC MATERIALS (WOOD, LEATHER)

Course Outline

Course Number: 1380203

Winter Semester, 1999

Sir Sandford Fleming College

Collections Conservation & Management Program

Centre for Community Development & Health

Hours: Fridays, 9-12 am

Course Format:

a) lecture - 1 hour 20 minutes

b) break - 10 minutes

c) laboratory - 1 hour 30 minutes

Faculty: Dr. Maja R.Solajic, Office # 371D
Office Hours: TBA
e-mail address: msolajic@poboxes.com

Course Description:

Material Science II provides an introduction to organic materials in museum collections, including: wood, leather, skin, fur, bone, antler, horn, ivory, tortoise shell, feather and quills. The chemical composition, structure and deterioration as well as the applied decoration and finishes are elaborated. A variety of scientific techniques and conservation treatments are presented through lectures, practical experiments, applied projects and self-directed learning.

Prerequisites:

1380202, 1380207, 1380210, 1380213

Vocational Outcomes:

This course has been designed to comply with professional standards and ethics for practice as prescribed by I.I.C.-C.G. (C.A.C.), C.A.P.C., and I.C.O.M. committee for Professional Museum Training.

Generic Skills Outcomes:

As per Ministry of Education and Training Program Standards:

Math Skills:

Apply a wide variety of mathematical techniques with the degree of accuracy required to solve problems and make decisions.

Communications:

• Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.
• Represent her or his skills, knowledge and experiences realistically for personal and employment purposes.

Computer Literacy:

• Use a variety of computer hardware and software and other technological tools appropriate and necessary to the performance of tasks.

Interpersonal Skills:

• Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
• Manage use of time and other resources to attain personal and/or project related goals.
• Take responsibility for his or her own actions and decisions.

Analytical Skills:

• Evaluate his or her own thinking throughout the steps and processes used in problem solving and decision making.
• Collect, analyze and organize relevant and necessary information from a variety of sources.
• Create innovative strategies and/or products that meet identified needs.
• Adapt to new situations and demands by applying and/or updating her or his knowledge and skills.

General Education Goal Area:

N/A

Aim:

• to provide a student with the knowledge of basic organic chemistry of the processes and materials used in the conservation of organic cellulosic and proteinaceous materials including: wood, leather and related materials.
• to enable a student to understand the choice of the products and techniques used in the conservation of these materials.
• to enable a student to complete simple treatments on wood, leather and various proteinaceous materials.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, the learner has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. comprehend and explain basic concepts and principles of organic chemistry and their application to the conservation and preservation of organic materials; understand the nomenclature and classification of organic compounds, structure and functional groups, covalent bonding, mechanisms and reactions such as: polymerization, oxidation, hydrolysis, denaturation, etc.

2. create scientific methodological framework in problem solving, report writing and literature search using current conservation research publications and information from manufacturers and suppliers.

3. utilize basic laboratory skills, practice and principles of safety and occupational health in the laboratory environment.

4. explain the chemical composition and characterize animal and plant fibres.

5. explain the properties, structure and conservation treatments for wood and leathercraft.

6. utilize the concept of freeze-drying method for treatment of archeological wood and leather.

7. explain the causes of deterioration of cellulosic and proteinaceous materials commonly found in museum collections

Learning Sequence:

Learning Resources:

Required Materials:

R.J. Ouellette Introduction to General, Organic and Biological Chemistry 4th ed. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey 1997.

Additional Materials for Reference:

J.S. Mills, R.White The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects 2nd ed. Butterworth-Heinemann, London 1994.

H. Kühn Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities Butterworths, London 1986.

J.M. Cronyn The Elements of Archaeological Conservation Routledge, London 1990.

H. Hodges Artifacts, An Introduction to Early Materials and Technology Humanities Press, Atlantic Highlands N.J. 1981.

Crafts Council (Corporate Author) Science for Conservators
Volume 1: an introduction to materials
Volume 2: cleaning
Volume 3: adhesives and coatings
Museums and Galleries Commission, London 1992.

Molecular Model Kit

Assessment Plan:

PLA options and contact for this course:

Contact Gayle McIntyre

Academic Responsibilities:

1. Course Policies

• 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.
• Tests will cover material from lectures, laboratory exercises and assigned readings.
• A student will be removed from class in the event of inappropriate, unsafe practices during laboratory experiments. (see lab safety & information sheet).
• 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.
• All components of the course must be completed. Assignments must be submitted in the format outlined by the instructor.

2. 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 recognised method of citation

3. 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.

4. 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 is 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.