2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Undergraduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
Electrochemistry
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Masahiro Miyauchi / Yuta Nabae / Eiji Tada / Azusa Ooi / Sachiko Matsushita
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Tue (S4-201(S421)) / 5-6 Fri (S4-201(S421))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- MAT.A307
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 5, 2026
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In the field of electrochemistry, concepts of charge transfer and diffusion of materials are essential. Furthermore, electrochemistry is also related to thermodynamics and quantum mechanics. This lecture will introduce the relationship between these basic academic fields and applied fields. We will also touch on measurement techniques related to chemical batteries, corrosion phenomena, and materials electrical engineering.
Course description and aims
The goal of this course is to enable students to understand electrochemical phenomena from the perspective of charge transfer, and to understand the materials that cause electrochemical reactions and their measurement methods, and to apply this knowledge in the fields of chemical research and technology.
Keywords
electrochemistry, thermodynamics, standard electrode potential, diffusion, voltammetry, interfaces, corrosion, electrolytes, batteries, photochemistry
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Each lecture will cover both basic and applied content. Students will be asked to complete assignments as needed to deepen their understanding. Tests will be conducted in the 5th, 10th, and 15th classes.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction, Chemical reaction and ptential |
Learn about electrochemical phenomena and their applications. Understand energy and chemical equilibrium based on thermodynamics. Understand specific examples of electromotive force that occurs during chemical reactions. |
| Class 2 | Standard Electrode Potential |
Understand standard electrode potential and redox potential. |
| Class 3 | Nernst equation. |
Understand the Nernst equation. |
| Class 4 | Applications of electrochemistry in the field of inorganic materials. |
Understand semiconductors and metal electrodes, and their applications such as semiconductor-based photoelectrochemistry, dye-sensitized and quantum dot-sensitized solar cells, and semiconductor-sensitized heat-utilizing power generation etc. |
| Class 5 | Summary of Lectures 1-4 and Midterm Test I |
Review important points from previous lessons and take Midterm Test I. |
| Class 6 | Kinetics of chemical reactions. |
Study the kinetics of chemical reactions. |
| Class 7 | Elemental processes of electrode reactions and charge transfer reaction rates |
Understand the elemental processes of electrode reactions, charge transfer reaction rates, and the Butler-Volmer equation. |
| Class 8 | The origin of the activation energy for electron transfer reactions |
Learn about the meaning of activation energy in electrochemical reactions. |
| Class 9 | Mass transport processes in electrochemical reactions |
Study the relationship between mass transport processes and reaction rates in electrochemical reactions. |
| Class 10 | Summary of Lectures 6-10 and Midterm Test II |
Review important points from previous lessons and take Midterm Test II. |
| Class 11 | Various Electrochemical Devices |
Study about batteries, fuel cells and electrolysis. |
| Class 12 | Voltammetry |
Study about various electrochemical measurements. |
| Class 13 | AC Impedance Method |
Study of the AC impedance for the characterization of various electrochemical systems. |
| Class 14 | Electrochemistry relating to photon and spectroscopy |
Study about the electrochemistry relating to photon and spectroscopy |
| Class 15 | Final exam |
Final exam |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Distribute them during the lecture or upload them to the web.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
physical chemistry, electrochemistry, electron transport.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Grades will be assessed through Midterm Exam I, Midterm Exam II, and the final exam.
Related courses
- MAT.A204 ： Thermodynamics of Materials
Prerequisites
Students must have completed a course in thermodynamics of materials or have equivalent knowledge.