Course syllabus
Course Program
The program is the same for both attending and non-attending students.
Lectures The course includes lectures focused on the development of the following topics:
A) Introductory Concepts and General Chemistry Review (2 CFU)
· Partly delivered online in synchronous format
· Purpose, phases of the analytical procedure, and classification of analytical methods
· Sampling
· Expression of sample concentration
· Review of the chemistry of aqueous solutions: chemical equilibrium
· Theoretical aspects of dissolution and precipitation processes
· Salt hydrolysis: acid-base properties of anions, cations, and salts.
· Buffer solutions
B) Laboratory (0.5 CFU)
· Safety standards and risk prevention in a chemical laboratory
· Laboratory equipment and general analytical operations
· Learning tests
C) Qualitative Inorganic Analysis (0.5 CFU)
· Wet method for anion detection
· Wet method for cation detection/Flame test
D) Quantitative Analysis (0.75 CFU)
· Generalities on volumetric analysis and titration curves
· Acidimetry
· Alkalimetry
· Iodometry
· Gravimetric analysis/scales
E) Errors in Chemical Analysis (0.25 CFU)
· Precision/Accuracy
· Random/systematic/gross errors
· Significant figures
Lab Experiences
The course includes mandatory on-site lab experiences organized around the development of the following exercises:
I Exercise (0.5 CFU)
· Basic techniques in laboratory practice
· Preparation of Acetolite
· Solubility tests
· Precipitation tests
· Gas development recognition reaction
· Preparation of a 0.4 M HCl solution through dilution
· Salt hydrolysis and pH measurement of saline solutions with litmus paper
· Preparation of a buffer solution
II Exercise (0.5 CFU)
· Wet method recognition of Cations in individual salts
· Dry method recognition of Cations (flame test)
· Wet method recognition of Anions in individual salts
· Identification of minerals in Spirulina-containing samples
· Identification of phosphates and nitrates in a fertilizer
III Exercise (0.5 CFU)
· Recognition of cations and anions in some health products
· Preparation of an inorganic pigment by precipitation
· Determination of the formula of an unknown salt
IV Exercise (0.5 CFU)
· Preparation of an approximate 0.1 M NaOH solution
· Standardization of an approximate 0.1 M NaOH solution with 0.1 M standard HCl
· Standardization of an approximate 0.1 M NaOH solution with potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP)
· Determination of acetolite acidity by titration with 0.1 M standard NaOH
· Determination of citrus acidity by titration with 0.1 M standard NaOH
V Exercise (0.5 CFU)
· Titration of a known concentration Vitamin C solution with 0.1 N standard Iodine
· Determination of Vitamin C content in a citrus with 0.002 N standard Iodine
· Determination of Vitamin C content in commercial fruit juices with 0.002 N standard Iodine
· Preparation of a room fragrance
· Titration of an unknown Vitamin C solution with 0.1 N standard Iodine
VI Exercise (0.5 CFU)
· Calculation and pH measurement with a pH meter of acidic and basic solutions
· Preparation of a burdock astringent tonic and measurement of its pH with a pH meter
· Measurement of pH and chlorides in a bath foam with a pH meter
· Filtration of the previously prepared room fragrance
· Set-up of a synthesized inorganic pigment for makeup
· Determination of total ashes of Althaeae radix according to F.U. (10th Ed.)
Prerequisites for admission
The preliminary knowledge necessary to appropriately tackle the content provided by the course includes that derived from the General and Inorganic Chemistry course, for both attending and non-attending students.
Teaching methods
Teaching combines in-person teaching with synchronous and asynchronous online teaching that will be delivered alternately. Single-seat laboratory exercises (ESEPS) are compulsory in-presence attendance spread over full days. The detailed schedule, including dates, times, content, methodologies, and required resources, will be published on the MyAriel platform close to the start of the course.
The topics of the classroom lectures are mainly illustrated using slides. For each topic covered, theoretical aspects are alternated with the presentation of case studies, also using recorded learning objects. The content will primarily be selected based on the laboratory experiences proposed, which are an integral part of the course, and for which procedures are made available. Students will be offered thematic insights, organized in small groups to discuss, analyze, and report in class the results achieved in the laboratory exercises.
The teaching materials will be available on the MyAriel platform for both attending and non-attending students.
Teaching Resources
· Skoog, West, Holler: CHIMICA ANALITICA: UNA INTRODUZIONE - EdiSES
· G.C. Porretta: ANALISI DI PREPARAZIONI FARMACEUTICHE - Analisi quantitativa - CISU
· Araneo: CHIMICA ANALITICA QUALITATIVA - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
· Rubino, I. Venzaghi, R. Cozzi: Stechio & Lab - LE BASI DELL'ANALISI CHIMICA - Zanichelli
The educational materials will be available for both attending and non-attending students on the MyAriel platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Intermediate Training Evaluation Steps (Assignments)
Periodic assessments will be conducted throughout the course, designed to monitor and evaluate student progress and identify any areas that need further development. These intermediate steps include:
· Short multiple-choice, true/false, or short answer tests that verify the understanding of the material covered up to that point.
· Reports on activities carried out in the laboratory.
· Oral presentations that students must prepare in small groups on the results obtained from laboratory experiences to present to the class.
· Evaluations based on the active participation of students in classroom or online discussions.
Final Exam Type
The final exam, which will always be held in classroom, consists of a single written test comprising 5-7 sections, which may include open-ended questions related to the material covered during the lectures and exercises, stoichiometry/analytical chemistry problem-solving, balancing chemical reactions, and multiple-choice questions. The student must answer all the questions within a maximum time of 90 minutes. Exceptions are provided for students with disabilities and specific learning disorders (SLDs).
The student must demonstrate a good ability to process information, clearly explaining the acquired concepts with critical thinking and proficiency in the use of scientific language.
Grading Scale (out of 30): The written exam consists of questions totaling up to 26/30 points. The remaining 4/30 points are derived from the evaluation of the assignments. The overall verbalized grade is assigned according to the following scheme:
· Sufficient (18 - 20/30): Limited knowledge acquired, superficial understanding, many gaps; poor synthesis and expression abilities.
· Fair (21 - 23/30): Fair acquisition of knowledge but lacking depth, few gaps; acceptable command of scientific language; logical abilities and moderate continuity in linking moderately complex topics; more than sufficient synthesis ability.
· Good (24 - 26/30): Fairly broad knowledge base, moderate depth; satisfactory expressive abilities and significant command of scientific language; good synthesis ability.
· Very Good (27 - 29/30): Very extensive knowledge base, well elaborated; considerable expressive abilities and high command of scientific language; high synthesis ability.
· Excellent (30/30): Very extensive and deep knowledge base; high expressive abilities and high command of scientific language; pronounced aptitude for making connections between different topics; excellent synthesis ability. Distinction (Honors): Awarded to candidates distinctly above average, whose potential knowledge, expressive, conceptual, or logical limitations are overall completely negligible.
Previous Exam Templates: Examples of previous exams are available on the MyAriel platform.
