1. International Summer Course in Chemical Engineering 2012
Chemical Engineering Department
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN -
MADISON
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering - -
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
International Summer Course in Chemical Engineering 2012
OVIEDO, May 28– June 29, 2012
nformation on Asturias
Asturias, a region occupying an area of 10,565 Km2 is situated in the far north-west of the Iberian
peninsula between two rivers, the Eo and the Deva which mark its western and eastern borders,
respectively. The Cantabrian sea forms its northern limit and the Cordillera Cantábrica its southern limit
and border with the rest of Spain.
The Principality of Asturias is one of the 17 self-governing communities constitutionally forming the
Kingdom of Spain.
The climate is basically an Atlantic one with mild temperatures and abundant rainfall all the year round
which favours the existence of varied and rich vegetation (such as the Forest of Muniellos and the
National Park of Covadonga), and an important hydrographic system formed by fast-running abundant
rivers (such as the Nalón, Navia, Deva and Sella) and lakes and lagoons of great beauty (for example
those of Covadonga and Saliencia).
The territory is uneven and three different areas can be distinguished. First, an area of high mountains
within the Cantabrian system where the Peaks of Europe rise up to summits of great height such as Torre
Cerredo (2,646 m.) and the mythical Naranjo de Bulnes (2,519 m.). A second area is one of inland
sierras, narrow valleys, meadows and woodland descending from the mountains to the coasts and the
littoral area which is rocky with numerous cliffs, beautiful beaches and river estuaries (such as those of
Llanes, Ribadesella and Villaviciosa).
The origins of Asturian culture are lost in remote antiquity. Prehistoric cave paintings (in the caves of Tito
Bustillo and Candamo), Roman baths (in Gijón), Celtic castros (as in Coaña), pre-Romanesque
monuments characterized by their own particular style (for example, the churches of Santa María del
Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo, San Julián de los Prados and Santa Cristina de Lena), monuments of
Romanesque art (like the Monasterio de San Salvador de Cornellana and Santa María de Valdediós)
and also of Gothic art (the Cathedral of Oviedo); these form some of the most outstanding artistic
manifestations of Asturias.
Asturias has a population of over one million, one hundred thousand inhabitants unevenly distributed
throughout its seventy-eight concejos. Of these, Gijón, Oviedo and Avilés are the most densely
populated. The city of Oviedo is situated in central Asturias at the foot of the Naranco sierra combining a
prosperous urban area with a monumental heritage which bears witness to a past rich in history. Oviedo
is the capital of the Principality and the political, administrative, cultural and commercial centre of the
region (the Regional Government and governing council of the Principality, the Delegation of the Central
Government, the High Court of Justice, the main museums and most University centres are located in
Oviedo).
Gijón, set in the middle of the Asturian coast, is the largest city in the Principality. It is a go-ahead and
easy-going city, the main touristic centre in the region. It is also an industrial and services city, with
industrial and recreational ports, beaches, sporting facilities, an intense cultural life and museums as well.
Some of the University centres are located in Gijón.
Avilés, Mieres, Pola de Laviana, Cangas de Onís, Sama de Langreo, and La Felguera are some of the
most important centres of the region.
Department of Chemical and
Environmental Engineering
UNIVERSITY OF OVIEDO
ASTURIAS, SPAIN

2. Where is Asturias?

3. Coastal landscape

4. Inland landscape

5. Asturian culture

6. Gastronomy

7. Oviedo, España

8. The University of Oviedo
Founded in 1608
After Law (1608), Chemistry was the second (1848)
Today campuses in Oviedo, Gijón and Mieres
28 schools and collegues
More than 30,000 students

9. ChemE and Chemistry

10. ChemE undergraduate labs

11. ISCChE objectives
To conduct experiments at laboratory and pilot-plant scale and to carry out preliminary research projects
To understand engineering equipment, correlate experimental data and explain and interpret the results
To develop good communication skills (oral and written reporting)

12. ISCChE schedule
Course schedule: 9 am until 5 pm (lunch break from 12:30 till 1:15)
Students work in pairs in the lab
5 “Formal” experiments
5 “Informal” experiments
9 written reports (1 rewrite) + 1 oral presentation
Plant tours (memo reports are required)
Afternoon Spanish classes (2 levels)

13. Meals and course materials
Mon-Fri lunch Sun-Fri supper + Sat-Sun lunch
College Restaurant Residencia Ovida
LOCKER KEYS, LAB COATS AND SAFETY GLASSES
Borrow, keep and return by the end of the course

14. Ovida Residence Hall

15. Hall of Fame (2006)

16. A very serious job… (most of the time)

17. Web address