Handbook home
Cultural Materials Conservation Science (CUMC90033)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
July
Email: pnel@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | July - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject aims to provide students, who have an assumed knowledge of chemistry, with an introductory understanding of the chemistry and science that influences the properties and behaviour of a range of original and added materials, associated with cultural heritage materials. Within a conservation intervention hierarchy framework, students will apply their fundamental understanding of the relationship between materials (organic, inorganic and metal), their bonds, chemical structure, solubility and other properties to an understanding of the:
- Material composition of cultural heritage objects and their susceptibility to chemical, physical and biological paths of degradation.
- Application of intervention materials (like solvents, polymers and paints), which can be manipulated using auxiliary materials (solvents and poultices) to achieve the desired aesthetic or stabilisation conservation outcome, such as the removal of non-original materials, adhesion and consolidation.
- Interaction of intervention materials with cultural heritage objects and the surrounding environment.
Students who do not have a background in Chemistry, can obtain this by doing the Chemistry Bridging Course, which will be offered by the Grimwade Centre prior to the delivery of this subject.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject students are expected to:
- Understand the behaviour of organic and inorganic materials in response to physical, chemical and biological factors; and the suitability and compatibility of treatment approaches on the basis of their underlying chemistry.
- Apply their understanding of the relationship between the chemical structure properties of solvents, detergents, ligands, adhesives, consolidants, poultices, paints, plastics, fibres, stabilisers, emulsifiers and their interaction with cultural heritage objects.
- Synthesize the identification of material types; symptoms of deterioration; and test, analyse and evaluate various intervention materials and treatment approaches, via the creation of 'Scientific' reports.
Generic skills
- relevant methodologies, technical approaches and documentary practices;
- analytical judgements, problem solving and decision making;
- organisational and time-management skills;
- integrity and ethical practice;
- communication and written skills;
- team-work and collaboration.
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- MC-CULMC Master of Cultural Materials Conservation
- Principles of Cultural Materials Conservation specialisation (formal) in the GCA-ARTS Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
CUMC40008 Conservation Materials Chemistry
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Two technical reports
| During the assessment period | 20% |
Two technical reports
| During the assessment period | 20% |
Three technical reports
| During the assessment period | 30% |
Three technical reports
| During the assessment period | 30% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Submission of all assessment is required to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day. After five working days, assessment submitted without an approved extension will not be marked. There is no provision for late submission of in class tasks without permission.
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Dates & times
- July
Principal coordinator Petronella Nel Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 12 x 1 hour lectures/tutorials and 12 x 2 hour practicals. Off campus preparation: 12 x 40 minute online lectures. Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 27 June 2022 Pre teaching requirements During the pre-teaching period students are expected to complete the course readings, review the online lectures and any other course preparation as outlined on the LMS. The LMS will become available at the commencement of the pre-teaching dates. Teaching period 18 July 2022 to 29 July 2022 Last self-enrol date 1 July 2022 Census date 22 July 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 29 July 2022 Assessment period ends 19 August 2022 July contact information
Email: pnel@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A subject reader will be available in the pre-teaching period.
Recommended texts and other resources
In addition to the Subject Reader, the following texts are recommended for this subject and can be purchased from online book stores and/or borrowed from the Bailleau library (copies will also be available in class):
- Zumdahl, S & Zumdahl, SA 2014. Chemistry, 9th edition, Houghton Mifflin Company (highly recommended) (UniM ERC open high use 540 ZUM).
- Callister, W 2014. Material Science and Engineering an Introduction, 9th edition, USA: John Wiley and Sons Inc. (UniM ERC open high use 620.11 CALL).
- Horie, C 1987. Materials for Conservation: Organic Consolidants, Adhesives and Coatings, London: Butterworths (UniM Bail high use 667.9 HORI).
- Horie, C 2010. Materials for Conservation: Organic Consolidants, Adhesives and Coatings, London: Butterworths (UniM e-book).
- Odegaard, N, Carroll, S & Zimmit, WS 2000. Material characterization Tests for Objects of Art and Archaeology, London: Archetype Publications (UniM Bail high use 620.110287 ODEG).
- Mills, J & White, R 1994. The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects, Oxford: Butterworth and Heinemann (UniM Bail high use 069.53 MILL) (UniM e-book).
It is also recommended students purchase a chemistry dictionary.
Further recommended readings are listed in this guide and on the LMS. Students are encouraged to augment their understanding of the topics discussed by drawing on this list. In addition, it is expected students will develop their own learning and knowledge through wider reading and research, particularly with regard to completion of assessment items.
Additional texts may be recommended.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Principles of Cultural Materials Conservation - Links to additional information
Last updated: 12 November 2022