Fundamentals in Chemical and Analytical Methods
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce students to: a) theory and practice of the basic methodologies for operating in the chemical laboratory; b) theory and practice of the most common analytical techniques; c) statistical techniques for processing experimental data.
The theoretical principles introduced in the lectures are consolidated and integrated with technical skills through laboratory activities.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in first-year chemistry courses and introduces essential concepts and practical aspects for food chemical analysis.
The theoretical principles introduced in the lectures are consolidated and integrated with technical skills through laboratory activities.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in first-year chemistry courses and introduces essential concepts and practical aspects for food chemical analysis.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the students will be able to operate in a chemical laboratory, apply basic analytical methodologies and use statistical techniques for chemical data analysis.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Lectures:
Introduction to analytical chemistry. Classification of chemical methods of analysis. The analytical process. Basic principles of Green Analytical Chemistry. Laboratory practice: safety; handling of glassware and reactants; measuring mass, volume and concentration. Fundamentals of chemometrics: errors in chemical analysis; processing analytical data (statistical tests, calibration). Volumetric titration: standard solutions, indicators, titration curves. Theory and application of acid - base and complexometric titrations (strong/weak species, polyprotic species, buffers, complexes and chelates). Titrations based on precipitation equilibria and gravimetric methods. Introduction to electrochemistry. Electrochemical cells. Electrodes classification. Potentiometry. Experimental pH measurement. Operative definition of pH. Potentiometric titrations. Introduction to spectroscopy. Quantitative analysis based on UV-Vis and atomic spectrophotometry.
Other classroom activities/ exercises:
Introduction to the laboratory experiments relevant to the handling of polar and apolar organic compounds: principles of chromatographic separations; the partition coefficient. Extraction with a separatory funnel. Main stationary and mobile phases. Extractions from aqueous solutions and with organic solvent. Column and thin layer chromatography. Rf calculation. Comparison of an unknown sample with a standard. TLC detection systems and TLC simulation exercises.
Worksheets for processing data obtained from classical and instrumental methods of analysis. Simulation of a titration and drawing of the titration curve. Electrolytic cell/ battery simulation. UV-Vis spectrophotometric determination by external calibration. Exam simulations.
Laboratory activities:
1) Preparation of a standard solution by weighing and/ or dilution. Use of common glassware, technical and analytical balance, manipulation of aqueous solutions. 2) Solubility and aqueous equilibria. 3) Handling of polar organic compounds: extraction of caffeine from an energy drink (partition coefficient; use of a separatory funnel, Buchner filtration, celite filtration; use of rotavapor) + TLC and comparison with a standard; calculation of the extraction yield). 4) Handling of apolar organic compounds: extraction of lycopene from tomato concentrate (use of a thermomantle, use of refluxing, rotavapor, manipulation of apolar organic solvents; crystallization) + TLC qualitative analysis of product purity. 5) Volumetric titration. Use of the burette, preparation of primary and secondary standards, evaluation of colorimetric indicators. Statistical evaluation of the obtained data. 6) The experimental pH measurement (pHmeter with calibration and use of the glass membrane electrode); pH indicator papers and reactants. Preparation of a buffer solution and testing of the buffering power. pH measurement of food samples.
Laboratory activities are organized in several shifts bookable through UNIMIA and will be carried out in the laboratory on the ground floor at Via Mangiagalli 25.
Introduction to analytical chemistry. Classification of chemical methods of analysis. The analytical process. Basic principles of Green Analytical Chemistry. Laboratory practice: safety; handling of glassware and reactants; measuring mass, volume and concentration. Fundamentals of chemometrics: errors in chemical analysis; processing analytical data (statistical tests, calibration). Volumetric titration: standard solutions, indicators, titration curves. Theory and application of acid - base and complexometric titrations (strong/weak species, polyprotic species, buffers, complexes and chelates). Titrations based on precipitation equilibria and gravimetric methods. Introduction to electrochemistry. Electrochemical cells. Electrodes classification. Potentiometry. Experimental pH measurement. Operative definition of pH. Potentiometric titrations. Introduction to spectroscopy. Quantitative analysis based on UV-Vis and atomic spectrophotometry.
Other classroom activities/ exercises:
Introduction to the laboratory experiments relevant to the handling of polar and apolar organic compounds: principles of chromatographic separations; the partition coefficient. Extraction with a separatory funnel. Main stationary and mobile phases. Extractions from aqueous solutions and with organic solvent. Column and thin layer chromatography. Rf calculation. Comparison of an unknown sample with a standard. TLC detection systems and TLC simulation exercises.
Worksheets for processing data obtained from classical and instrumental methods of analysis. Simulation of a titration and drawing of the titration curve. Electrolytic cell/ battery simulation. UV-Vis spectrophotometric determination by external calibration. Exam simulations.
Laboratory activities:
1) Preparation of a standard solution by weighing and/ or dilution. Use of common glassware, technical and analytical balance, manipulation of aqueous solutions. 2) Solubility and aqueous equilibria. 3) Handling of polar organic compounds: extraction of caffeine from an energy drink (partition coefficient; use of a separatory funnel, Buchner filtration, celite filtration; use of rotavapor) + TLC and comparison with a standard; calculation of the extraction yield). 4) Handling of apolar organic compounds: extraction of lycopene from tomato concentrate (use of a thermomantle, use of refluxing, rotavapor, manipulation of apolar organic solvents; crystallization) + TLC qualitative analysis of product purity. 5) Volumetric titration. Use of the burette, preparation of primary and secondary standards, evaluation of colorimetric indicators. Statistical evaluation of the obtained data. 6) The experimental pH measurement (pHmeter with calibration and use of the glass membrane electrode); pH indicator papers and reactants. Preparation of a buffer solution and testing of the buffering power. pH measurement of food samples.
Laboratory activities are organized in several shifts bookable through UNIMIA and will be carried out in the laboratory on the ground floor at Via Mangiagalli 25.
Prerequisites for admission
Elements of chemistry and physical chemistry, Organic chemistry, Calculus. Before attending the laboratory activities is mandatory to acquire the safety information and to pass the test. Detailed information are on MyAriel website.
Teaching methods
The course includes: classroom lectures and exercises, laboratory activities.
· Lectures are aimed at acquiring theoretical knowledge.
· Peer discussions on specific topics and exercises are aimed at acquiring the appropriate technical-scientific language as well as developing critical thinking skills and to solve exam tests.
· Laboratory activities to get acquainted with methodological approaches to the course topics. Laboratory activities offer a practical opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired through lectures and to develop the basic technical skills for operating in a chemistry lab.
· Lectures are aimed at acquiring theoretical knowledge.
· Peer discussions on specific topics and exercises are aimed at acquiring the appropriate technical-scientific language as well as developing critical thinking skills and to solve exam tests.
· Laboratory activities to get acquainted with methodological approaches to the course topics. Laboratory activities offer a practical opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired through lectures and to develop the basic technical skills for operating in a chemistry lab.
Teaching Resources
Suggested textbook: Analytical Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis, Hage & Carr. Additional teaching material is available on the MyAriel platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam consisting of multiple-choice questions and exercises with a total of ten queries. Laboratory practice assessment is included. The exam lasts two hours.
The grade is expressed in thirtieths and communicated through the verbalization system on UNIMIA. Students have the option to accept or reject the grade according to the terms set by the University.
Exam materials (statistics and constants tables, etc) are detailed on the MyAriel websites. A pocket calculator is required, but smartphones and other electronic devices are not allowed
There are no mid-course exams.
At least six exam sessions per academic year will be scheduled.
The evaluation criteria for determining the grade are as follows:
· Knowledge and understanding of the topics
· Critical thinking ability and ability of integrating it in the course topics
· Use of a correct terminology
· Completeness and clarity of the answers
Specific procedures for students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA) will be applied. More information is available at:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-disabilities
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-specific-learning-disabilities-sld
DSA students and students with disabilities are required to inform the teachers by e-mail at least 15 days before the exam date to define possible individual actions. The e-mail should also send in cc to: [email protected] (for DSA students) or [email protected] (for students with disabilities).
The grade is expressed in thirtieths and communicated through the verbalization system on UNIMIA. Students have the option to accept or reject the grade according to the terms set by the University.
Exam materials (statistics and constants tables, etc) are detailed on the MyAriel websites. A pocket calculator is required, but smartphones and other electronic devices are not allowed
There are no mid-course exams.
At least six exam sessions per academic year will be scheduled.
The evaluation criteria for determining the grade are as follows:
· Knowledge and understanding of the topics
· Critical thinking ability and ability of integrating it in the course topics
· Use of a correct terminology
· Completeness and clarity of the answers
Specific procedures for students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA) will be applied. More information is available at:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-disabilities
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-specific-learning-disabilities-sld
DSA students and students with disabilities are required to inform the teachers by e-mail at least 15 days before the exam date to define possible individual actions. The e-mail should also send in cc to: [email protected] (for DSA students) or [email protected] (for students with disabilities).
CHIM/01 - ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 5
CHIM/02 - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 1
CHIM/06 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 2
CHIM/02 - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 1
CHIM/06 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 2
Practicals: 24 hours
Laboratories: 24 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Laboratories: 24 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment
my office, DeFENS, Sezione di Scienze Chimiche e Biomolecolari
Reception:
By appointment
V floor, building at Via Mangiagalli 25