Chemistry

The Chemistry course (6 CFU) is aimed to provide the knowledges of General, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry suitable to learn at the molecular level the topics of later courses. Besides basic concepts about quali- and quantitative composition of inorganic and organic compounds (including biological macromolecules), the course deals with fundamental aspects of stoichiometry, chemical equilibrium, thermodinamics, stereochemistry and structure-reactivity relationship, which are essential to deeply understand any biological process. Each topic is presented in theoretical lectures followed by exercise classes, which emphasize the importance of a quantitative approach in practical application of any theoretical model.

Goals to achieve
Knowledge and understanding The course is aimed at providing informations concerning a) inorganic and organic nomenclature; b) teh structure and the function of the most relevant substances in biological systems, including macromolecules; c) the behaviour of solutes in aqueous solutions; d) the streochemistry of asymmetric organic compounds.
Ability to aplly knowledge and understanding the students are expected to develop proper skill in: a) teh use of chemical formula to represent the structure of inorganic and organic compounds of biological relevance (including macromolecules) and to deduce their function; b) perform stoichiometric calculations; c) pedict the pH value from the composition of aqueous solutions; d) establish stereochemistry of asymmetric organic compounds; e) recognise functional groups in organic compounds.
Autonomy of judgment All the infromations given in theoretical lectures and exercise classes are presented in order to emphasising the relevance of the qunatitative-based experimental methodology needed to support any theoretical model. In addition, advices are provided to critically evaluate informations from on-line sources.