Basic chemical methodologies laboratory - Prof. Annalisa Scroccarello - a.a. 2025/2026
Topic outline
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The Course provides students with the foundations of Chemistry by developing the ability to solve theoretical and practical laboratory problems, enabling the student to approach and fully understand the subjects of the other disciplines in which Chemistry is a prerequisite.
Knowledge and understanding
Acquisition of theoretical and practical skills for understanding and resolving exercises related to chemical principles. Application of good practice in using chemical compounds with particular attention to the use of laboratory equipment. Knowledge and application of principles concerning applied stoichiometric calculation, solutions' preparation and dilution, and chemical equilibria in solution. Development of the ability to interpret chemical phenomena and to extrapolate results from them with physicochemical meanings matching practical/applied contexts.
Applying knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to exploit the acquired knowledge for laboratory activities, basic lab instrumentation use, lab problem-solving, and applied chemical-exercises performing. In addition, the student will have acquired the ability to calculate amounts of compounds, prepare and dilute solutions, and evaluate chemical systems at equilibrium, with particular regard to phenomena concerning properties of solutions, acid-base equilibria and pH balances, and redox reactions.
Making judgements
Judgment skills will be developed and stimulated during theoretical and practical classes. The student will be involved in exercises, calculations, and chemical reaction solving; the trained and acquired judgment skills will be applied during laboratory activities. In addition, the student’s judgment will be further stimulated through the laboratory and experimental protocols' comprehension and discussion via open and interactive dialogue; laboratory and experimental protocols will be provided for each practical lesson (laboratory experience). The student will also acquire the basic knowledge of good practices for chemicals use taking into account both the environmental and human safety aspects and minimizing the use of potentially polluting compounds/solvents.
Communication skills
The student will develop the appropriate scientific terminology to master and argue scientific communications concerning chemical aspects; contemporarily, the student will acquire the ability to explain in a simple and precise way basic chemical concepts with particular regard to laboratory dynamics. In addition, the availability of electronic learning material and the course-related communications provided via a website will stimulate the use of technical and computer tools for communication management. The student will also be strongly encouraged/stimulated to collaborate, discuss, and share knowledge with colleagues and the Professor throughout exercises resolution carried out during classes and experimental protocols understanding classes during laboratory activities.
Learning skills
At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the ability to manage laboratory activities and basic chemical methodologies. In addition, the student will be able to critically evaluate experimental data attributing them the exact meaning with respect to laboratory contexts. The skills acquired will represent the foundation for subsequent experimental activities, also non-strictly related to chemistry.
Basic knowledge of mathematics is recommended (e.g. powers, logarithms, equations of first and second degree, scientific/ exponential notation, equivalences, multiples and submultiples).
Module BASIC CHEMICAL METHODOLOGIES LABORATORY:
The module concerns 4 main units.
The module includes lectures, classroom exercises, and practical lessons in the laboratory.
Each unit consists of theoretical aspects (frontal lesson), classroom exercises (numerical calculation/ exercises/ case study resolution), and laboratory experiments (practical lesson).
Unit 1: Solutions and their properties, preparation of solutions, calculation and use of concentrations, practical introduction to the laboratory.
Theory classes/ classroom exercises:
Solutions' concentration: molarity, normality, molality, percentage by weight, percentage by volume. Exercises' calculation for unit conversions between concentrations. Practical notes for the solutions' preparation of experimental interest. Dilutions and their practical management within the laboratory context. Colligative properties: ebullioscopic rise, cryoscopic lowering, osmotic pressure. Practical introduction to chemistry laboratory instrumentation and good laboratory practice.
Introduction to the laboratory experience. Laboratory/ practical class related to Unit 1.
Unit 2: Redox reactions, balancing redox reactions, practical use of systems based on redox reactions.
Theory classes/ classroom exercises:
Recall of the oxidation number concept. Redox reactions. Balancing redox reactions. Exercise on the redox reactions balancing and their contextualization within biotechnological reactions and laboratory context. Principles on galvanic cell manufacturing and commercial batteries. The electromotive force of a battery and practical demonstration of their operation. Definition of the semi-element's potential and standard redox potentials. Introduction to the Nernst equation and pHmeter principles of use.
Introduction to the laboratory experience. Laboratory/ practical class related to Unit 2.
Unit 3: Acid-base equilibria, pH, practical volumetric analysis.
Theory classes/ classroom exercises:
Theoretical definition of the acid and base concept and their contextualization in biotechnology and laboratory. Conjugated acid-base couples. Definition of the strength of acids and bases, and introduction to the ionization constant. Definition of pH and its importance in biotechnology and laboratory. Practical knowledge of the preparation of acid and basic solutions with numerical exercises on pH calculation. Neutralization reactions and pH indicators: principles, practical use.
Introduction to the laboratory experience. Laboratory/ practical class related to Unit 3.
Unit 4: Buffer systems, preparation of buffer solutions, and their experimental use in the laboratory.
Theory classes/ classroom exercises:
Definition of aqueous solutions of weak acids and bases, their contextualization in the biotechnology and laboratory field. Overview of polyprotic acids and their application. Numerical exercises concerning the calculation of pH. Aqueous solutions of salts and hydrolysis in the context of buffer solutions preparation. Theoretical notes on preparation buffer solutions preparation and their experimental use. Buffer solutions working mode and use. A practical introduction to buffer solutions preparation for laboratory/ experimental aims.
Introduction to the laboratory experience. Laboratory/ practical class related to Unit 4.
The dates of the practical classes related to the 4 Units will be discussed and laid down at the module beginning and scheduled through dedicated platforms.
The module comprises 50 hours of frontal classes, classroom exercises, and laboratory/ practical classes.
The module will run through theoretical lectures (carried out by using PowerPoint presentations and interactive classes) and practical laboratory activities. The practical classes will be held in the teaching lab of the Biotechnology bachelor’s degree course; practical activities will be performed by groups and/or individual activities under the supervision of the Professor and scientific-technical staff. To support learning activities and prepare the students for the exam, the students will have access to teaching materials concerning the treated class topics, recommended textbooks, articles, and links to web pages and videos on the E-learning platform.
The lessons will be held in January.
The class schedule will be detailed soon and published on the class calendar on the UNITE website.
Lessons may change; all class variations will be communicated in class and via the university website on the lesson calendar reported below.
https://www.unite.it/UniTE/Home/Bioscienze_e_tecnologie_agro-alimentari_e_ambientali/Lezioni_2/Lezioni_Biotecnhnology
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Cancelled class:
The classes listed below will not be held:
The teaching materials (lesson slides and exercise texts) will be made available by the teacher on the module's e-learning platform (see at the end of this section) as a guide for the study.
Potential textbooks for further study:
Demartin, F. (2022). Fondamenti di Chimica generale. EdiSES. https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9788836230839
VV., A. (2024). Chimica di Base (3rd ed.). EdiSES. https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9788836231843
Zotto, A. D. (2023). Viaggio nella Chimica. EdiSES. https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9788836231119
https://www.edizioniale.it/prodotto/le-basi-della-chimica/
J. Burdge, J. Overby, Chimica generale, Edra.
C. Kotz, P. M. Treichel, J. R. Townsend e D. A. Treichel, Chimica, VII edizione EdiSES
N.J. Tro, Introduzione alla chimica, Pearson
A.M. Manotti Lanfredi, A. Tiripicchio, Fondamenti di Chimica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
P. Zanello, R. Gobetto, R. Zanoni, Conoscere la Chimica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
R. Bertani, D.A. Clemente, G. Depaoli, P. Di Bernardo, M. Gleria, B. Longato, U. Mazzi, G.A. Rizzi, G. Sotgiu, M. Vidali, Chimica Generale e Inorganica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
I. Bertini, C. Luchinat, F. Mani, Chimica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
P. Atkins, L. Jones, L. Laverman Principi di chimica, Zanichelli
Kotz, Treichel, Townsend, Chimica, Edises
F. Cacace, M. Schiavello, Stechiometria, Bulzoni
F. Nobile, P. Mastrorilli, La Chimica di base attraverso gli esercizi, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
The integrated teaching Principles of Chemistry and Chemistry Laboratory consists of two modules: GENERAL AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY and BASIC CHEMICAL METHODOLOGIES LABORATORY.
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To pass the examination, it is necessary to demonstrate adequate knowledge of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry. This will be achieved by means of dedicated tests that will cover content related to the modules GENERAL AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY and BASIC CHEMICAL METHODOLOGIES LABORATORY.
For the module BASIC CHEMICAL METHODOLOGIES LABORATORY is strongly advised to attend the lab practical. In all the cases, attendance at all classes is strongly recommended.
Upon student request the tests for the two modules can be carried out on different dates.
The final grade will be the average of the two modules' marks and will be given after the completion of both modules.
Because Principles of Chemistry and Chemistry Laboratory is an integrated teaching, the final exam will be realized and shared among the course teachers.
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Final module test of BASIC CHEMICAL METHODOLOGIES LABORATORY:
The evaluation test will be a written test concerning all the topics covered throughout the module, and an optional supplementary oral evaluation could be performed.
The written test will consist of a multiple-choice test and will be considered passed with a score of 18/30. The student will be able to record the grade of the written test as the final mark of the module; however, the student may also opt for an optional oral evaluation during the scheduled exam date to increase the grade obtained in the written test. The final module mark is unique.
At the beginning of the module, the examination procedure will be detailed and defined as well as the test dates during the academic year.
Registration for the evaluation test of the module will be performed by filling in dedicated 'forms' provided on the e-learning web platform (see below).
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FINAL MODULE TEST, written test mode
The dates and schedule of the final test of the module are shown below. Students are invited to consult the UNITE website to understand the classroom where it will be carried out.
(https://www.unite.it/UniTE/Home/Bioscienze_e_tecnologie_agro-alimentari_e_ambientali/Esami_Bioscienze_e_tecnologie_agro_alimentari_e_ambientali).
It is necessary to bring your own calculator (essential!) with you, in addition to the blue or black pen and the Periodic Table (provided on this site).
The sheets necessary to carry out the test will be provided.
It is not permitted to consult texts, notes or forms.
During the test, the use of a mobile phone, which must remain turned off inside your bag, or other electronic devices is not permitted.
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FINAL MODULE TEST, written test registration
To perform the test, it is mandatory to register yourself at the following links.
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XX month 2026 (registration by XX mese). Time XX:XX, Room: to define definire
LINK FROM GOOGLE
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XX month 2026 (registration by XX mese). Time XX:XX, Room: to define definire
LINK FROM GOOGLE
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XX month 2026 (registration by XX mese). Time XX:XX, Room: to define definire
LINK FROM GOOGLE
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FINAL MODULE TEST, oral test registration (Optional)
For those who have passed the written test (score ≥ 18), the oral test can be taken on the following dates.
To perform the oral evaluation, it is mandatory to register yourself at the following links.
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XX month 2026 (registration by XX mese). Time XX:XX, Room: to define definire
LINK FROM GOOGLE
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XX month 2026 (registration by XX mese). Time XX:XX, Room: to define definire
LINK FROM GOOGLE
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XX month 2026 (registration by XX mese). Time XX:XX, Room: to define definire
LINK FROM GOOGLE
Students' reception time: every Tuesday 10.00-13.00 previous appointment by email.
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