Ateneo - UPO

The course will cover topics of chemistry-physics applied to complex
systems, and will focus on phenomena that occur in the atmosphere. The
main photochemical reactions in the stratosphere and troposphere will be
described and elements related to the dispersion of pollutants in the
atmosphere will be given.
The main pollution phenomena, such as the ozone hole and acid rain, will
be addressed.

P.W. Atkins, “Physical Chemistry", VI Ed., Oxford University Press, or the
Italian version of the V edition, "Chimica Fisica", Zanichelli;
Mark Zemansky, "Calore e Termodinamica", Zanichelli.
Colin Baird, "Chimica Ambientale", Zanichelli.
B. J. Finlayson-Pitts e J. N. Pitts, “Atmospheric Chemistry”, John Wiley and
Sons.

The course aims to provide to students the basic principles of
physicalchemistry
to understand and describe the main physico-chemical
phenomena related to the environment, the effect on humanity of the
anthropic actions, and any modifications that affect their balance will be
provided.
The course will allows to students to develop communicative skills by
acquiring an appropriate vocabulary in relation to the discussed topics.
The course also aims to develop the ability to learn independently and
the critical meaning that allows the student to draw conclusions on
discussed topics.

Nobody

The course includes frontal lessons in the classroom where the treated
topics will be presented and discussed with the students.
Students (in groups of 2 or 3 people) will have to prepare and organize an
oral presentation to deepen some of the topics agreed with the teacher.
To this end, methods will be provided to make an adequate bibliographic
search and the students will be supported by the teacher in the
organization of the seminar.

The course includes frontal lessons in the classroom where the treated
topics will be presented and discussed with the students.
Students (in groups of 2 or 3 people) will have to prepare and organize an
oral presentation to deepen some of the topics agreed with the teacher.
To this end, methods will be provided to make an adequate bibliographic
search and the students will be supported by the teacher in the
organization of the seminar.
The in itinere learning control will be carried out through the organization
of the seminar and the lecture dedicated to the processing of data
provided by the teacher. The final evaluation will be carried out through
the exposure of the oral presentation.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special
Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff
Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli
Studenti, consulting the University webpage:
https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learningdisabilities.
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special
education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer
to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities,
concerning academic aspects.

The final exam will be based on the oral discussion to verify the learning
of the topics addressed in class. Questions will be asked about the
program and the oral presentation prepared by the student that will be
an integral part of the assessment.
The examination method allows evaluating not only the theoretical skills
acquired but also the organizational and communication skills of the
students, as well as knowing their ability to work autonomously.
To pass the exam, the student must demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of the proposed basics and to be able to critically analyze
a proposed problem.
The level of difficulty corresponds to the program being run and the
reference texts indicated.

The course will cover topics relevant to chemical and physical description
of chemical species of environmental importance. Particular attention will
be given to the introduction of photochemical processes and gas-solid
adsorption principles, as well as to the treatment of thermodynamic
processes of environmental interest. Knowledge about the chemical
constituents and physical structure of the atmosphere will be provided.
Moreover, topics related to the chemistry of the stratosphere and the
ozone problem, global warming and the chemistry of the troposphere,
with particular reference to photochemical smog and particulate matter
pollution, will be introduced. Finally, the impact of large plants for the
production of energy will be discussed with particular emphasis to
processes leading to the formation of harmful pollutants (dioxins) and
their inhibition. The spread of pollutants in atmosphere and hydrosphere
will be introduced.

Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of the main chemical-physical
phenomena of environmental importance.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Ability to investigate a
physico-chemical topic in depth using common facilities for bibliographic
research.
Autonomy of judgement: Ability to critically analyse recent literature on
physico-chemical topics proposed in lectures.
Communication skills: ability to report using appropriate language on
physico-chemical topics in a correct manner.
Learning ability: ability to use the lecture material for a critical and
reasoned study, also for a subsequent autonomous acquisition of higher
knowledge and for continuous updating.