AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Basic theoretical knowledge of sampling and sample preparation methods. Knowledge of instrumental analytical techniques for the study of elementary speciation. Knowledge of some analytical methods (from sampling to instrumental determination) for the analysis of different matrices (sea water and fresh water, biological and food samples, etc.) and understanding of the reasons behind the different procedures. Ability to choose and conduct an analytical method, carry out group experiments and write reports on the results obtained.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aims of the course are knowledge of suitable methods for sampling, pretreatment and treatment of different samples and some instrumental techniques used for element speciation studies. Moreover, students will learn some methods used for quality control analyses on food, water and variuos samples. Further aim is to learn how to carry out complete laboratory analyses on real samples. 

At the end of the course students will acquire: a) knowledge regarding sampling strategies and methods; b) basic concepts of elements speciation, relationships with bioavailability and related analytical methods; c) knowledge regarding standardized methods for analyses of water, food and other real matrices; d) how to choose and carry out suitable analytical methods for the different studied matrices; e) the skills to process data obtained from their analyses and to evaluate and present them correctly. 

PREREQUISITES

In order to attend lessons and laboratory of this course with good benefits, it is strongly reccommended to have already achieved knowledge of classical analytical chemistry (volumetric analysis) and of basic analytical instrumental techniques (especially chromatography, spectroscopy and mass spectrometry). 

TEACHING METHODS

Th course (7 CFU) consists of lessons, practical and theoretical exercises. Some of these exercises will be effected using interactive methods, as team working and flipped classroom. 

Attendance to lessons is not compulsory, but highly recommended, while attendance to practical and theoretical exercises is compulsory. All exercises will be performed by the students in groups.  At the beginning of the course, the dates of the excercises will be notified and students can choose in which group they will work. It will be possible to make up missed exercises.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Sampling and pre-treatment: Sampling and sample representativity. Contamination. Pre-treatment and storage. Physical and chemical methods for preparing samples. Separation and preconcentration by means of resins, solvent extraction, headspace extraction, solid phase extraction.

Instrumental techniques for elements speciation: Speciation and bioavailability. Speciation analyses by hyphenated and electroanalytical techniques. Speciation analyses of representative elements of environmental and toxicological interest (e.g. chromium, arsenic, tin, mercury).

Water analysis: Analytical methods for the determination of the most common compounds in natural waters, drink water and waste waters, for their characterization and for pollution problems.

Food analysis: Analytical methods for the characterization of food. Natural and anthropic contaminants in food: characteristics and analytical methods.  

Forensic analysis: Comparative analysis of different samples: specific problems and applications. Gun shot residues determination. Drug analysis: sample preparation and instrumental techniques.

Practical and theoretical exercises will be carried out on the topics of the course and will be performed by groups of students.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slides regarding all the topics of the lessons published on the "aulaweb" service

Other material (scientific papers, laws and guidelines) on aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIA CARMELA IANNI (President)

MARINA DI CARRO

FRANCISCO ARDINI (President Substitute)

MARCO GROTTI (Substitute)

EMANUELE MAGI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

From September 30, 2024, according to the timeble reported here

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The students who want to be submitted to the exam must register at least two days in advance on https://servizionline.unige.it/studenti/esami/prenotazione.

The topics are specified in the detailed syllabus published on the "aulaweb" service, together with other material (slides, scientific papers, guidelines for official analysis) considered useful. The exam will be oral and will involve questions both on theory and on practice exercises. During the oral exam the student must demonstrate the achievement of the learning outcomes, both orally and writing formulas, chemical reactions, graphs and analytical procedures schemes. When the commission will judge that the learning outcomes have not been reached, the students will be invited to repeat the exam in one of the subsequent dates.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam is always carried out by two teachers with several years of experience and will last 40-45 minutes. The exam is carried out in order to evaluate not only if  students have achieved the required knowledge, but even if they thoroughly understood them and if they are able to apply them to analytical problems. Being a theoretical and practical course, the commission evaluates also the behaviour of the students during practice exercises, if they are able to carry out analytical procedures in a correct way and to elaborate and present obtained data in written reports. Therefore, the commission is definitely able to verify with high accuracy if the student has reached or not the learning outcomes. When the commission will judge that the learning outcomes have not been reached, the students will be invited to repeat the exam in one of the subsequent dates.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.