Basic Analytical Chemistry
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to enable students to use basic chemical instruments (glassware, analytical and technical precision balances, micropipettes, magnetic stirrer with heating, chromatography tools, burettes, pH meter, spectrophotometer), with particular attention to safety regulations (Personal Protective Equipment), in order to perform chemical-physical analyses and apply the theoretical concepts learned in Medical Chemistry lessons.
Furthermore, the completion of the laboratory notebook will allow students to learn how to describe laboratory activities in writing, integrate them with theoretical concepts, and acquire and use appropriate technical-scientific language.
Furthermore, the completion of the laboratory notebook will allow students to learn how to describe laboratory activities in writing, integrate them with theoretical concepts, and acquire and use appropriate technical-scientific language.
Expected learning outcomes
In line with the course objectives and after learning the safety rules for a chemical laboratory, the student will be able to operate safely in the lab, carry out simple experimental procedures, and report on the results obtained, also in collaboration with lab partners. In addition, the student will be able to recognize and use common laboratory glassware and the main analytical instruments (analytical and technical balances, micropipettes, magnetic stirrer with heating plate, burette, chromatography columns and plates, pH meter, UV-Vis spectrophotometer).
Specifically, by the end of the course, the student will be able to carry out analytical determinations by means of acid-base titrations (with indicators and/or using a pH meter) or chromatography (thin-layer and/or ion-exchange column chromatography); they will also be able to construct a calibration curve to quantitatively determine the protein content of an unknown solution.
Specifically, by the end of the course, the student will be able to carry out analytical determinations by means of acid-base titrations (with indicators and/or using a pH meter) or chromatography (thin-layer and/or ion-exchange column chromatography); they will also be able to construct a calibration curve to quantitatively determine the protein content of an unknown solution.
Lesson period: First semester
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Course syllabus
CLASSROOM EXERCISES will focus on numerical applications of solution equilibria and stoichiometric calculations used in analytical laboratories, in particular:
∙ concentration and dilution of solutions (conversion between grams and moles, ways of expressing concentration)
∙ calculation and measurement of pH in aqueous solutions (strong and weak acids and bases, buffer solutions, acid-base indicators)
∙ osmolarity and osmotic pressure
∙ balancing redox reactions
After an introductory lecture on prevention and safety rules in the chemistry lab, the PRACTICAL SESSIONS IN THE TEACHING LABORATORY will include:
- 1st lab session:
∙ Fundamental lab operations: use of common glassware, use of balances (analytical and technical)
∙ Use of variable volume micropipettes
∙ Preparation of solutions (of known concentration, dilutions, buffer solutions): use of a pH meter
- 2nd lab session:
∙ Acid-base titrations (using indicators and/or a pH meter) or
∙ Chromatographic techniques (thin layer and ion-exchange column chromatography) for identifying and separating biomolecules (carbohydrates, amino acids)
- 3rd lab session:
∙ Use of UV-Vis spectrophotometer to determine protein concentration in an unknown sample using an indirect method (preparation of a calibration curve
∙ concentration and dilution of solutions (conversion between grams and moles, ways of expressing concentration)
∙ calculation and measurement of pH in aqueous solutions (strong and weak acids and bases, buffer solutions, acid-base indicators)
∙ osmolarity and osmotic pressure
∙ balancing redox reactions
After an introductory lecture on prevention and safety rules in the chemistry lab, the PRACTICAL SESSIONS IN THE TEACHING LABORATORY will include:
- 1st lab session:
∙ Fundamental lab operations: use of common glassware, use of balances (analytical and technical)
∙ Use of variable volume micropipettes
∙ Preparation of solutions (of known concentration, dilutions, buffer solutions): use of a pH meter
- 2nd lab session:
∙ Acid-base titrations (using indicators and/or a pH meter) or
∙ Chromatographic techniques (thin layer and ion-exchange column chromatography) for identifying and separating biomolecules (carbohydrates, amino acids)
- 3rd lab session:
∙ Use of UV-Vis spectrophotometer to determine protein concentration in an unknown sample using an indirect method (preparation of a calibration curve
Prerequisites for admission
To successfully follow the course, it is essential to have a solid understanding of the topics covered in the Medical Chemistry course.
Teaching methods
The course will be delivered through:
∙ classroom lectures and in-class exercises (6 hours, divided over three days);
∙ practical sessions in a teaching chemistry laboratory (9 hours, divided over three days).
Students will present the activities carried out in the laboratory through written reports, which must be uploaded in .pdf format to the course's educational platform, myAriel.
∙ classroom lectures and in-class exercises (6 hours, divided over three days);
∙ practical sessions in a teaching chemistry laboratory (9 hours, divided over three days).
Students will present the activities carried out in the laboratory through written reports, which must be uploaded in .pdf format to the course's educational platform, myAriel.
Teaching Resources
For texts and teaching materials please consult the teacher. A copy of the slides used during the lectures and classroom exercises will be made available to students in .pdf format on the course's educational platform, myAriel. Photocopies distributed will be to students prior to the practical sessions in the teaching laboratory.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The oral examination will ascertain the student's knowledge of the typical and basic chemical analysis methodologies. Furthermore, the student will have to demonstrate to be able to interpret and justify the results obtained in the experiments carried out in the laboratory. Access to the exam is granted only upon documented attendance of both theoretical and practical lessons, and the presentation of written reports on laboratory activities. Registration for the exam via the SIFA system is mandatory. The final evaluation will be expressed as approval/disapproval.
- University credits: 1
Laboratories: 15 hours
Professors:
Bartocci Alessio, Morelli Laura
Shifts:
Gruppo 2
Professor:
Bartocci AlessioProfessor(s)
Reception:
only on appointment to be agreed by phone or email
via Saldini 50 (right hand side, second floor) / video call on Microsoft Teams