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 course aims to provide students with a solid theoretical and methodological background in mass spectrometry, with particular emphasis on the fundamental principles of the technique, the main ionization sources, mass analyzers, and tandem mass spectrometry. The course also covers the coupling of mass spectrometry with the main separation techniques and introduces modern applications of high-resolution mass spectrometry, including data acquisition strategies, compound identification, and an introduction to the recent application of mass spectrometry in metabolomics and proteomics.
The course is designed to enable students to understand the capabilities and limitations of different mass spectrometric platforms and select the most appropriate analytical approach according to the characteristics of the sample and the objectives of the analysis. Particular emphasis is placed on the application of mass spectrometry both for quantitative analysis and for the identification of known and unknown compounds in complex matrices.

Educational objectives

1. Knowledge and understanding
Elective courses enable students to deepen their knowledge of advanced topics in chemistry or related disciplines, contributing to the development of a personalized educational pathway consistent with their scientific interests and professional objectives.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Students are able to integrate knowledge acquired from different disciplinary fields and apply it to the solution of complex problems, scientific research, innovation, and highly qualified professional activities.

3. Making judgements
Students demonstrate autonomy in designing their educational pathway by selecting courses that are consistent with their specialization, research interests, and professional development goals.

4. Communication skills
Students strengthen their ability to communicate advanced scientific knowledge effectively and to interact in multidisciplinary environments using language appropriate to different audiences.

5. Learning skills
Students develop an advanced and personalized educational pathway, enhancing their ability to independently update their knowledge and acquire new competencies throughout their professional careers.

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.

Educational objectives

1. Knowledge and understanding
Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired English language skills at least at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). They will be able to understand spoken and written texts of intermediate complexity, including scientific and technical documents related to chemistry.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to use English effectively in academic and professional contexts, understand and produce technical texts, participate in discussions and presentations, and interact appropriately in situations commonly encountered in study, research, and professional practice in chemistry.

3. Making judgements
Students will be able to critically evaluate scientific information available in English, assess its reliability and relevance for academic or professional purposes, and use international sources to support lifelong scientific updating.

4. Communication skills
Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both orally and in writing, using vocabulary appropriate to the B2 CEFR level and to academic and professional contexts in chemistry. They will be able to interact successfully with an international scientific community.

5. Learning skills
Students will possess the language skills required to pursue independent learning through international scientific literature, participate in educational activities delivered in English, and engage in continuous professional development within an international environment.

Educational objectives

1. Knowledge and understanding
Upon successful completion of the course, students will acquire knowledge of cross-disciplinary aspects of the chemistry profession, including competencies relevant to employability, ethical and professional responsibilities, organizational and management principles, and other topics supporting professional development.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to professional contexts, acting with awareness of ethical, organizational and managerial responsibilities and adapting to different working environments in both the public and private sectors.

3. Making judgements
Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate professional, organizational and ethical issues, recognizing the importance of personal responsibility, sustainability, scientific integrity and teamwork in professional practice.

4. Communication skills
Students will be able to communicate effectively in multidisciplinary professional environments, interacting with different stakeholders and adopting communication strategies appropriate to organizational and workplace contexts.

5. Learning skills
Students will develop awareness of the importance of lifelong learning and continuous professional development, recognizing the value of continuously updating both technical and transferable skills throughout their professional careers.

Educational objectives

1. Knowledge and understanding
Through the completion of an original research project, students demonstrate advanced knowledge in chemistry and a critical understanding of the scientific literature, experimental methodologies, and theoretical approaches relevant to the thesis topic.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Students are able to design and carry out, with an appropriate degree of autonomy, a research or applied development project by selecting suitable experimental, analytical and data-processing methodologies, critically interpreting the obtained results and comparing them with the current state of the art.

3. Making judgements
Students demonstrate the ability to critically analyse experimental results, assess the reliability of the generated data, identify the limitations of the study, and draw scientifically sound conclusions while adhering to the principles of research integrity, ethics and professional responsibility.

4. Communication skills
Students are able to prepare an original written dissertation according to the standards of scientific communication and to present and discuss their work clearly and effectively before an academic examination committee, using appropriate scientific terminology and providing well-reasoned responses during the discussion.

5. Learning skills
Students demonstrate the ability to address new scientific challenges independently, continuously update their knowledge through the international scientific literature, and pursue further education or professional activities requiring a high level of scientific expertise.

Educational objectives

1. Knowledge and understanding
Elective courses enable students to deepen their knowledge of advanced topics in chemistry or related disciplines, contributing to the development of a personalized educational pathway consistent with their scientific interests and professional objectives.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Students are able to integrate knowledge acquired from different disciplinary fields and apply it to the solution of complex problems, scientific research, innovation, and highly qualified professional activities.

3. Making judgements
Students demonstrate autonomy in designing their educational pathway by selecting courses that are consistent with their specialization, research interests, and professional development goals.

4. Communication skills
Students strengthen their ability to communicate advanced scientific knowledge effectively and to interact in multidisciplinary environments using language appropriate to different audiences.

5. Learning skills
Students develop an advanced and personalized educational pathway, enhancing their ability to independently update their knowledge and acquire new competencies throughout their professional careers.