OVERVIEW

The course is aimed at introducing the students to the modern analytical chemistry, providing basic theoretical and operational information on sample preparation and instrumental analysis by spectroscopy, electrochemistry, chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Basic theoretical knowledge of the main chromatography, mass spectrometry and electrophoretic techniques. Practical knowledge of the preparation of samples and their analysis using these instrumental techniques. Development of the ability to conduct an analytical method, carry out experiments in groups and write reports on the results obtained.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide the basic theoretical knowledge of chromatographic, mass spectrometric and electrophoretic techniques and their application to different kind of analytes. The course is also aimed to develop the ability to work in group both during the laboratory experiments and during the activities in class.

At the end of the course students will be able to

- describe in detail the different analytical techniques and relative instrumentations, their principles of operation and the possible application with a technical language;

- choose the most suitable technique among the ones studied in the course and justify the choice;

- use the graphs obtained by the instrumental analysis to obtain qualitative and quantitative information of the studied compounds;

- evaluate and anticipate the effect of some variables (temperature, type of eluent,...) on the instrumental analysis

- communicate effectively in oral and written form, using a variety of sources and aids; exercise critical thinking; use, process and evaluate information

- identify one's abilities, showing the ability to concentrate and reflect critically on a task; manage complexity, being autonomous in decision-making and in carrying out tasks, seeking support if necessary, developing resilience skills

- manage one's social interactions with a collaborative attitude, enacting constructive communication in different environments, with the ability to respect others and their needs, and with the willingness to overcome prejudices; express and understand different points of view; manage conflict, build trust and empathy in group activities

- show awareness with respect to their own learning strategies; organize and evaluate personal learning according to what they understand and have learned; understand their own needs and ways of developing skills; be able to identify and pursue learning goals.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will be in Italian following TBL (Team Based Learning), a teaching strategy based on independent study and collaborative learning in teams. The individual and group activities in TBL will be evaluated and will provide additional points on the partial grade of the exam. Students' participation to TBL is voluntary and requires the acceptance of the "classroom agreement" at the beginning of the course (which will be explained in detail during the first lesson of the module).
If a student does not participate to TBL, he/she is assessed only on the basis of the final exam. Slides and further educational material available on aulaweb.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Chromatographic methods. Principles of chromatographic separations. Mobile and stationary phase, chromatogram. Theoretical plate model. HEPT, efficiency. Non-equilibrium theory. Van Deemter equation. Classification of chromatographic methods. High performance liquid chromatography: principles, instrumentation, analytical characteristics and applications. Gaschromatography: principles, instrumentation, analytical characteristics and applications. Supercritical fluid chromatography: theory, instrumental configurations and applications. Affinity chromatography.

Mass spectrometric techniques. General concepts and applications. Types of ion sources and mass analyzers. Isotopic peaks. Mass spectrum. Instrumentation, analytical characteristics and applications. Coupling with gaschromatography, types of data aquisitions. Examples of method development by GC-MS. Isotopic dilution method.

Electrophoretic methods. Principles and applications, instrumentation and examples.

Laboratory. Separation and identification of anti-inflammatory drugs by HPLC; Determination of hydrocarbons by GC; Determination of organic compounds by GC-MS.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Skoog / West / Holler / Crouch, Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, Cengage Learning 2016

Skoog / Holler / Crouch, Principles of Instrumental Analysis, Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2007

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARCO GROTTI (President)

FRANCISCO ARDINI

MARINA DI CARRO (President Substitute)

MARIA CARMELA IANNI (Substitute)

EMANUELE MAGI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

From September 25, 2023

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Questionnaires and reports on laboratory work, performed during the course.

Written test and oral examination.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Evaluation is based on questionnaires and individual reports relating to laboratory experiments, written test and oral examination. In particular, the laboratory score is calculated from the sum of the votes of individual experiences, obtained as follows: (a) participation to a preparatory quiz before each experience: 2 points for each quiz passed. Each quiz consists of 10 multiple-choice questions and it is passed when all answers are correct. Attempts are unlimited; (b) preparation of a short report for each experience containing data processing and  the analytical results: rating from -1 to +1 for each report (-1: not correct; 0: partially correct; + 1: correct), taking into account the correctness of data processing, presentation and the accuracy of the results. The written test lasts 1.5 hours and it is composed by four exercises, aimed at assessing the individual skills to process analytical data, calculate the figures of merit of an analytical procedure, and propose a method for a given analytical problem. A score is assigned to each exercise according to its difficulty. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to access the oral test. The oral examination, performed by two professors and about 40-min long, is aimed to assess the knowledge of the theoretical content of the course. During the examination, the commission evaluates if the educational objectives of the course have been achieved. If not, the student is asked to study more thoroughly and/or take benefit from further explanations by teachers. The final grade is obtained from the weighted average of the laboratory vote, and the written examination and oral assessments. The relative weight of the three assessments takes into account the number of credits of each part of the course on which assessments are based (25% laboratory; 25% written exam 50% oral). Rules on the written test: (a) the score is valid for three consecutive exam sessions; (b) in the case of double failure of the oral exam, the written test must be repeated; (c) the delivering of a new written test automatically cancels the previous score.

Exam schedule