Analytical Chemistry

Educational objectives

The use of instruments with increasingly high magnetic fields, the continuous progress in the fields of computer science and electronics, a more in-depth examination of the basic theory, the use of increasingly sophisticated pulse sequences ad hoc developed to obtain specific information about the studied systems allowed the application of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy to diverse areas concerning the study of complex systems, expanding the field of use from the initial chemical-physical and organic field to every possible chemical sector. The aim of the course is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge of the physical bases of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and specifically illustrate the applications to the most modern developments in the field of Analytical Chemistry. The primary objective of the course is to provide students with the necessary tools to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze complex and real systems such as natural extracts and industrial products. The main knowledge acquired by the students will be:

Basic NMR theory
Methods of execution and processing of modern NMR experiments (1D and 2D sequences)
Knowledge and application of NMR parameters in general and specifically in the field of Analytical Chemistry.
q-NMR approaches.

Educational objectives

The course is structured in order to provide an overview of the basic techniques listed in the program, illustrating their theoretical concepts and operating principles, as well as possible problems. The main objectives include:

- to address students to the correct identification of the most suitable analytical technique;
- to provide the knowledge to be able to optimize the instrumental conditions, focusing on qualitative and quantitative analysis;
- to improve the student's ability to adapt the instrumental method to the different analytical problem;
- - to improve the student's ability to critically process the results of instrumental analysis.

Educational objectives

This course provides the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for the design, development, and validation of instrumental chemical analysis methods, with a particular focus on sampling, sample preparation, key separation techniques, and analytical data quality criteria. Through lectures and laboratory sessions, students will acquire the methodological tools necessary to perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic compounds in complex matrices.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• design and manage the entire analytical process, from sampling and sample preparation to the processing, interpretation, and validation of the final result;

• select and optimize procedures for analyte extraction, purification, and pre-concentration, including those based on Green Analytical Chemistry principles;

• understand the mechanisms of chemical separations and the factors influencing the efficiency, selectivity, and resolution of separation methods;

• choose and utilize key instrumental separation techniques based on the characteristics of the analyte and the matrix;

• interpret chromatograms and electropherograms, calculate key chromatographic parameters, and evaluate the performance of an analytical method;

• perform qualitative and quantitative analyses by applying major calibration strategies and statistical data treatment;

• develop, optimize, and validate analytical methods for determining trace analytes in complex matrices, planning the extraction, separation, and detection stages;

• identify and resolve key operational and instrumental issues (troubleshooting) associated with separation techniques.

Laboratory sessions will allow students to consolidate their theoretical knowledge through the use of analytical instrumentation, the execution of experimental procedures, and the critical analysis of results, thereby fostering operational independence and problem-solving skills.

Educational objectives

The lectures are aimed to provide to the students an educational path starting from the basic concepts of mass spectrometry up to its last developments and applications in the fields of analytical chemistry and biomolecules study.
At the end of the course, the students have to demonstrate the knowledge of the theory and basic principles of mass spectrometry, as well as of the various ionization techniques and mass analyzers. Moreover, the students should have understood the potential of the coupling between liquid or gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, as well as tandem mass spectrometry, in particular concerning complex mixtures and compounds at trace levels. Furthermore, the students have to be able to extrapolate and describe the main data and information obtainable from a mass spectrum.
Concerning the application of the knowledge, in case of a real problem, the students should possess the capability of select both the most suitable instrumentation and acquisition modes for the analysis of biological, environmental, and food samples. The capability of arguing the choice of possible analytical strategies is another important objective.
Finally, self-study capability should be proven by gaining further insight into specific course topics with the aid of the scientific literature.

The aims of the course are described in detail according to the five Dublin descriptors.

Dublin Descriptor 1 – Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the students have learned the basic theoretical principles of mass spectrometry, as well as of the various ionization techniques and the main mass analyzers. The students have to know the theory of tandem mass spectrometry and understand the possibilities concerning both qualitative and quantitative determination. They have to understand the potential of the coupling of tandem mass spectrometry with separative techniques or the possibility of very fast “in situ” analyses. They have to recognize between information obtainable from low- and high-resolution mass spectrometry and to understand the concept of mass accuracy.

Dublin Descriptor 2 - Applying knowledge and understanding
The students have to acquire the capability of facing a complex analytical problem with the aid of mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry, for example for applications in environmental or food analysis. It is important also to take into account the related European law concerning the maximum allowable limits of certain substances depending on the limit of detection of the technique and its various acquisition modes. The students have to be able to select the most suitable ionization technique depending on target analytes and sample origin, also suggesting a possible coupling between mass spectrometry and a separation technique.

Dublin Descriptor 3 - Making judgments
The students have to develop the capability of critical evaluation concerning an analytical or general research problem, which requires the application of mass spectrometry, by connecting the knowledge acquired during the whole study course. This capability is developed by the aid of examples from the scientific literature, with particular emphasis on complex mixtures of compounds present at trace level and/or structurally unknown, and biomolecules (e.g. proteins and peptides). It is also important the capability of justifying the choice of the analytical strategy.

Dublin Descriptor 4 – Communication skills
The students have to be able to write in a report or verbally communicate the acquired knowledge, in a concise, coherent, and well-focalized way, also by the aid of graphic informatic tools, to be understandable by both specialized and non-specialized audience.

Dublin Descriptor 5 – Learning skills
At the end of the course, the students should have developed suitable tools to stimulate detailed studies and links between different topics. They should possess the skills to independently refer to the scientific literature related to mass spectrometry to deepen both some theoretical aspects and, most of all, application aspects. By referring to the scientific literature, the students have to be able to obtain the information to solve new problems, as well as to get the fundamental tools useful for their professional activity.

Educational objectives

Chemistry and Characterization Nanostructured Materials aims to provide fundamental knowledge and basic principles for the study of materials and nanomaterials, starting from their specific surface and bulk characteristics, to their characterization methods, to new materials and nanomaterials properties and performances, of interest for the Analytical Chemistry. The aim of this course is to highlight the correlations between chemical structures and looking at the most recent applications of nanomaterials. The lectures are developed starting from the description of the general characteristics of materials and nanomaterials chemistry to characterization methods, their preparation and functionalization, to obtain materials and nanomaterials for applicative studies. The knowledge acquired in this course constitutes a framework of reference for subsequent competences.

Educational objectives

EDUCATIONAL GOALS 2026-27
The course provides the theoretical and practical knowledge required for the development, validation, and application of analytical methods for the analysis of real samples (food, biological, and environmental matrices) using liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography (GC).
Students will acquire knowledge of sampling strategies, sample preparation techniques, the main method validation parameters, and the principles of Green and Circular Analytical Chemistry, with particular emphasis on the metrics used to assess the greenness of analytical methods.
At the end of the course, which consists of lectures, laboratory practical sessions, classroom exercises, and optional flipped teaching activities, students will be able to:
- experimentally develop an analytical method;
- validate an analytical method according to the main international validation protocols;
- perform quantitative analyses using LC and GC;
- apply appropriate statistical methods for data processing;
- assess the greenness of an analytical method using metric tools.

Educational objectives

The aim of the course is to instruct the students on the structural identification of complex organic compounds via their spectrometrical properties. The first part of the course involves the theoretical knowledge on the 1H NMR, 13C NMR, EI-MS and IR spectrometriy with a particular attention on the relationships between spectral morphology and molecular structure. The second part of the course is dedicated to the comparative analysis of a set of spectra in order to identify the structure of different classes of complex organic compounds.

Educational objectives

The course aims to provide students with the basic principles and scientific instruments to address, in a conscious way, the issues related to resources, commodities (mainly food sector), the environmental impact. The production cycles are discussed in the context of the “cost–benefit” correlation and viewed in the context of the energy content, less pollution and recycle materials.

Educational objectives

The course aims to provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge required to identify, assess and manage risks associated with chemical, physical and biological agents in occupational and environmental settings, with particular emphasis on the protection of human health and the environment.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• understand the concepts of hazard, exposure, risk assessment, risk communication, risk perception and risk management;

• understand the European and national regulatory framework on chemical safety, including the REACH and CLP/GHS Regulations, chemical classification, labelling and Safety Data Sheets (SDS);

• understand the principles of toxicology, occupational exposure limits, biological monitoring and the health effects associated with exposure to hazardous chemicals, including carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances;

• apply risk assessment methodologies and use algorithms for occupational exposure assessment;

• understand the principles and techniques for monitoring hazardous substances in workplace environments, including gases, vapours, aerosols, microclimate, asbestos and explosive atmospheres;

• understand the principles of hazardous and healthcare waste management, fire and explosion prevention, transport of dangerous goods (ADR), and the assessment of emerging contaminants;

• critically analyse occupational exposure scenarios and identify appropriate prevention and risk management strategies.

Educational objectives

Lessons in the classroom have the aim of providing students with the elemental conceptual means by which they can evaluate the environmental impact, understand the environmental chemical processes and the interaction/evolution of pollutants in the environment, considering both natural and anthropogenic emissions, either accidental or intentional. Also, the problems involved in the retrieval use of natural resources, in particular water, will be discussed.

Dublin Descriptor 1: at the end of the course the student is provided with the basic knowledge on environmental equilibria and dynamics related to the different environmental compartments (atmosphere, aquifer systems, rivers, lakes, and soil). The students will deliver new knowledge on global pollution (such as global warming and ozone hole), including the involved chemical mechanisms. The students will acquire basic knowledge on aquatic chemistry involving multicomponent/multi-phase equilibria. They will understand as chemical speciation affects pollutant danger, effects and distribution. References to international Environmental Legislation/Protocols aimed to reduce anthropogenic impact on the environment will be provided, as well as basic knowledge on instrumental analytical techniques for main environmental pollutants monitoring.

Dublin Descriptor 2: The student is enabled to understand and practically deal with phenomena related to environmental problems both for the pollution evaluation and for the evolution of chemical compounds in the environment. They will acquire ability to find the scientific and legislative literature concerning a defined environmental problem; ability to select the most appropriate analytical techniques for the monitoring.

Dublin Descriptor 3: The student will be develop the capability of critically evaluating an environmental problematic. Such capacity is developed by educational examples explained during lectures (Mount Pinatubo explosion, heavy metal poisoning in Minamata Bay, Black Sea in the Gulf of Mexico, Chernobyl disaster, London smog, oxidizing smog in Los Angeles).

Dublin Descriptor 4: at the end of the course the student has developed the capacity of communicating, by written reports or oral communication, the knowledge acquired using the appropriate language, a logical exposure sequence and displaying synthesis capacity, also by using graphical presentation.

Dublin Descriptor 5: The student is stimulated to further delve into the investigated topics, also creating links among different subjects. Ability to extrapolate form the environmental scientific literature information to deal with new problems.