OVERVIEW

The General and Inorganic Chemistry course plays an important role in the education and training of PCTs (Pharmaceutical Chemists and Technologists) and Pharmacists since it provides the basic chemical knowledge, required for the understanding of the chemical disciplines over the following years; moreover, it allows to acquire the scientific language and the calculation skills required in the professional practice.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course aims to provide the basic knowledge of chemistry, necessary for the further studies. The fundamentals for the correct comprehension of matter and its transformations are the subject of this course.

The learning outcomes are, in addition to the acquisition of the basic knowledge, the ability of using scientific language and of solving numerical problems, by applying the acquired notions to real cases.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course aims to provide the basic knowledge of chemistry, necessary for the further studies. The fundamentals for the correct comprehension of matter and its transformations are the subject of this course. In particular:

- matter and its structure (atomic structure, chemical bonds, inorganic compounds, nomenclature, states of matter);

- principles of chemical thermodynamics;

-  solutions;

- chemical reactions;

- chemical equilibrium;

- electrochemistry;

- periodic table and main chemical properties of the most important elements and inorganic compounds.

The expected learning outcomes are, in addition to the acquisition of the basic knowledge:

- communication skills (ability to effectively discuss by using an adequate scientific language for the context);

- ability to solve numerical problems by applying the acquired knowledge to real cases;

- improvement in organization and awareness skills.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching is based on class lessons (80 hours). The lessons cover the whole programme; the teacher presents numerical problems, involving the students with instant polling questions on the topics covered or under explanation. Moreover, real cases/problems will be proposed, highlighting the relevant role played by chemistry in everyday life. General debriefing will follow.

Didactic materials are provided in Aulaweb, in order to facilitate the study; exercises for checking the knowledge level are proposed. Students may upload their exercises and receive feedback by the teacher.

ONLY in particular cases, such as pandemic situations, the lessons might be held by remote (only remote learning or blended mode), following the University guidelines.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Introduction to Chemistry. Elements, compounds and mixtures. Solutions and concentration. Rules of chemical nomenclature. Chemical reactions. Stoichiometry.
• Gas state. The equation of state of ideal gas. Mixtures of gases and Dalton’s law of partial pressure. The real gases and Van der Waals equation.
• Thermodynamics. Heat of reaction and enthalpy. Enthropy. Gibbs free energy and spontaneous reactions.
• Atom. Atomic structure. Atomic orbitals. Electrons and orbitals. Periodic table.
• Chemical bond. Ionic bond. Covalent bound. Electronegativity. Lewis structures. The VSEPR theory. Hybrid orbitals. Intermolecular forces.
• Liquid state and solid state. Liquids. Solids. Metallic bond. Phase transitions and phase diagrams for single-component systems.
• Solutions. Solubility. Ideal solution and Raoult’s law. Colligative properties. Electrolytes. Degree of dissociation. Conductivity of electrolyte solutions.
• Chemical kynetics. Reaction rate. Collision theory. Factors affecting the rate of reactions. Kinetic equation. Catalysis.
• Chemical equilibrium. Law of mass action. Equilibrium constant. Le Chatelier’s principle. Homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibrium.
• Acids and bases. Theories of: Arrhenius, Brønsted-Lowry and Lewis. Strength of acids and bases. Acidity of aqueous solutions: pH. pH indicators. Hydrolysis. Buffer solutions. Solubility equilibrium. Complexes.
• Electrochemistry. Electrodes and galvanic cells. Reduction potentials and Nernst equation. Electrolysis. Faraday’s laws. Accumulators.
• Inorganic chemistry. Hydrogen. Main characteristics of the elements of 1, 2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Groups and their most representative compounds. Characteristics of the elements of d-block and representative compounds.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The recommended book is:

- Peter Atkins, Loretta Jones, “CHIMICA GENERALE”, Ed. Zanichelli.

Other books of General and Inorganic Chemistry at university level can be used, e.g.:

- Kotz, Treichel, Townsend, Treichel “CHIMICA”, VII ed., Ed. Edises

- Brown, Lemay, Bursten, Murphy, Woodward, “FONDAMENTI DI CHIMICA”, Ed. Edises

- Casarin, Casella, D'Agostino, Filippi, Grandinetti, Purrello, Re, Speranza, "CHIMICA GENERALE E INORGANICA" a cura di M. Speranza, Ed. Edi-ermes

- Petrucci, Herring, Madura, Bissonnette, “CHIMICA GENERALE. Principi ed applicazioni moderne" (+ complete solutions manual), Ed. Piccin

-  Silberberg, Amateis "CHIMICA: La natura molecolare della materia e delle sue trasformazioni" a cura di S. Licoccia, Ed. McGraw Hill

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIULIANA DRAVA (President)

VALERIO VOLIANI

MONICA CASALE (Substitute)

CRISTINA MALEGORI (Substitute)

PAOLO OLIVERI (Substitute)

PAOLA RIANI (Substitute)

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of two compulsory parts: a written test followed by an oral test.

The written test consists in numerical problems and chemical reactions.

After the correction, the participants can view their test and comment it with the professor.

The minimum score to be admitted to the oral exam is 18/30.

The oral exam is conducted by two professors of the academic staff; it covers the whole course content and it takes 30 minutes approximately, for an average student.

ONLY in particular sitiations such as health emergency, according to the University guidelines, the exams can be held remotely via Teams. In this case, precise indications will be communicated to students via AulaWeb platform.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam aims to assess:

 - the knowledge and comprehension of the discipline (test)

- the acquisition of a correct scientific language (oral exam);

- general and specific problem-solving skills in chemistry (test and oral exam).

Exam schedule