Industrial pharmacy

General expected learning outcomes The course aims to provide the students a theoretical and practical knowledge related to research and qualitative recognition of inorganic substances of pharmacological and toxicological interest. The aim of the course is also to provide the molecular mechanisms on the pharmaceutical and toxicological properties of the aforementioned substances. Specific expected learning outcomes 1. Knowledge and understanding The student will study all the aspects concerning the chemical reactions used for the separation and recognition of the cations included in the 6 groups of the classical systematic approach (group I: silver, lead and mercury; II group: lead, mercury, arsenic, antimony, tin, bismuth , copper, cadmium; III group: aluminium, iron, chrome, manganese; group IV: manganese, zinc, nickel, cobalt; V group: calcium, barium, strontium; group VI: magnesium, sodium, lithium, potassium) as well as anions identifiable by the research in the alkaline solution (sulphate, nitrate, chloride, bromide, iodide and oxalate). Moreover, the student will be able to apply theoretically/practically the concepts concerning the acid-base equilibria, hydrolysis, complexation, precipitation, redox reduction and be able to evaluate all the related interdependencies for the purpose of the recognition of inorganic compounds. Additionally, the student will be able to understand the molecular biological mechanisms in which cations and inorganic anions take part. 2. Applying knowledge and understanding At the end of the course, the student will be able to separate and analyse an inorganic cation or anion mixture through the application and interpretation of chemical essays. For this purpose it will be essential to know and apply the different chemical reactivity for the separation and identification of the ions (changes in pH, complexation, precipitation and redox). The practical laboratory exercises will allow the student to learn how to apply and observe what was already covered during the lectures. Knowledge of the properties and reactivity of inorganic substances will allow the student not only to understand the biological, pharmacological and toxicological functions of these substances, but also to design and / or identify possible approaches for solving relative problems. The knowledge of the most widespread therapeutic problems and pharmaceutical solutions of inorganic type (essential micronutrient elements integrators) available for the treatment of the main pathologies associated with deficiency or intoxication will make the student able to make the right decision and to give rational advice for the use of these pharmaceuticals in the field of human health. 3. Making judgements The lecturer will stimulate the students to develop a logical-critical sense by asking frequent questions (brainstorming) in class with the aim of inducing them to acquire connection skills (correlative thinking) between the various concepts defined in the syllabus leading to the mastery of the subject, connecting the chemical pharmaceutical and toxicological analysis as an integral part with a link to other disciplines already studied (general and inorganic chemistry, physics, anatomy, biology) or to be followed in the future educational path (biochemistry, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, toxicology). The lecturer will periodically ask students to develop discussions/theses related to key topics discussed in class, in order to get them used to design scientific research. At the end of the course the students will be able to formulate an analytical/critical judgment, interpret and correlate complex concepts, design a research related to the topics covered in order to expand scientific, ethical and social knowledge. 4. Communication skills Through the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, the ability to apply them and to propose a critical judgment on the topics dealt with, but also through the use of the relative scientific language used by the lecturer during the course and the frequent stimulation of the communication lesson, the student will be able to communicate with cognitive and linguistic-perceptive depth with his peers and/or with both the scientific and non-scientific community also of different cultural origin. 5. Learning skills The student who has acquired the abilities described above will be able to undertake future studies in a more autonomous, self-managed and rapid manner, but also to propose social and/or working contexts useful for the scientific progress of society in the field of human health.