Ateneo - UPO

GENERAL CHEMISTRY. The module provides the basic concepts of general and inorganic chemistry: knowledge of the properties, composition and structure of matter, chemical equilibrium, chemical thermodynamics and kinetics and electrochemistry.
STOICHIOMETRY. The module will deal with stoichiometry calculations strategies and problem solving related to the basic concepts illustrated the General and Inorganic Chemistry module: chemical nomenclature of inorganic compounds, balancing of chemical equations, chemistry laws calculations, solutions and their properties, chemical equilibria, acids and bases, electrochemistry.
LABORATORY.
Further deepening of some topics of General Chemistry and introduction to the main experimental techniques used in the laboratory. The laboratory practice consists of safety concepts, the basic study of solution equilibria, electrochemistry and some
simple inorganic syntheses.

Course slides (pdf files) are available on the DIR platform. Suggested books: Kotz, Treichel, Townsend, Treichel, Chimica, Edises, VII Ed., 2021. Atkins, Jones, Laverman, Patterson, Young, FONDAMENTI DI CHIMICA GENERALE Zanichelli, 3° edizione italiana 2025 Silberberg, Amateis, Licoccia, CHIMICA, V Ed., Mc Graw Hill, 2023. Overby, Chang, Costanzo, Galeazzi, Turano, FONDAMENTI DI CHIMICA GENERALE 4/ED CON CONNECT E EBOOK, IV Ed., Mc Graw Hill, 2024. Petrucci, Herring, Madura, Bissonette, Chimica Generale. Principi ed applicazioni moderne, Edizione 2025, PICCIN. R. Breschi e A. Massagli, “Stechiometria”, Edizioni ETS M. Bruschi, “Stechiometria e Laboratorio di Chimica Generale”, Pearson P. Michelin Lausarot e G. A. Vaglio, “Fondamenti di Stechiometria”, Piccin R. Morassi, G.P. Speroni, "Il laboratorio Chimico", un approfondimento autonomo. Piccin Slowinski, Wolsey, Masterton, "Laboratorio di Chimica", Piccin

GENERAL CHEMISTRY. Objectives of the course
are: to clearly present the basic principles of chemistry; to provide solid basis and knowledge for understanding the chemical events at the molecular level. Abilities: introduce the students to the use of structure-property concept.
Ability in making judgements and driving conclusions from the results of his experiments.
Communication skills: the students will be able to
use a suitable chemical vocabulary in relation to the
course arguments and methods. Stoichiometry: the main objective of the module is to provide the necessary basic knowledge and tools to develop an appropriate problem-solving ability applied to stoichiometry problems related to General and Inorganic Chemistry, starting from the recognition of the dependent and independent variables, the design of the resolution strategy and finally, in the critical discussion of the results. These skills and competences allow for the application of concepts learned in the theoretical module and form the basis for the successive laboratory course.
Laboratory. The course has the objectives to: develop basic knowledge on materials, equipment, basic operations and techniques of common use in the chemical laboratory; gain preliminary skills on preparation of inorganic compounds and their purification; experimental verification of the main chemical processes in aqueous solution; develop the student skill in the basic laboratory practices.

Basic elements of calculus.

General Chemistry: Classroom lectures, powerpoint presentations and guided exercises with open discussion. Stoichiometry: Classroom lectures, slide shows and guided exercises with open discussion. The module will be developed by slowly increasing the degree of complexity of the proposed stoichiometry problems in order to stimulate the capacity to link different topics. Students will be encouraged to actively participate to classes and guided through individual or collaborative problem-solving activity in order to stimulate preparation progresses and regularly test them. This approach will also favor the development of the expected specific communication skills. Students will be encouraged to supplement in-class work with individual homework for a successful fruition of the course.
Laboratory. Laboratory activities with related discussion. The learning progress monitoring involves individual report on each of the activities, including general discussion and stoichiometry tests.

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/servicesstudents-physical-or-learning-disabilities.

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 exam is written and is composed of two parts. The first part, with a maximum duration of 2 hours, requires solving 6 stoichiometry exercises (2 problems worth 2 points each and 4 problems worth 1.5 points each). The maximum total score is 10 points. With a score of at least 6/10, students gain access to the second part of the exam, which, in addition to questions from the theoretical module, also includes questions about some laboratory experiments.

The evaluation of the test and the corresponding assignment of points will be based on the ability to identify the unknown variables in a problem, to set up a rational and justified problem-solving strategy, and to correctly use chemical language and symbols. A passing grade is achieved by demonstrating the ability to apply these skills to the main topics of the course. The maximum score is obtained by applying these skills in all proposed exercises. Examples of exams are available on the DIR platform.

The second part (3 hours) consists of 15 questions (12 theoretical questions related to the concepts covered in the theoretical module and 3 related to the laboratory module). For the 12 questions on the theoretical module, a passing grade is reached with a basic knowledge of the main theoretical topics covered during the course. The maximum score for the second part is 20/30, with a minimum passing score of 12.

Regarding the three laboratory questions, each exercise is worth 1 point and will be given during the theoretical module exam, after the 12 theory questions. There is no passing threshold specifically for these 3 questions (as they are integrated into the theoretical exam), but the maximum score is obtained with good knowledge of laboratory procedures and equipment. An evaluation will also be made during the laboratory sessions based on short daily reports, which can increase the overall grade by up to 0.5 points.

The final exam grade is obtained from the scores achieved in the written tests of the course modules (max 10 points for the stoichiometry module and max 20 points for the general chemistry and laboratory module). Honors (“lode”) are awarded when maximum scores are obtained in both tests and when the answers to the open questions are excellent.

On the DIR platform, students will find, along with the course materials, examples of complete exam texts.

GENERAL CHEMISTRY. Elements, compounds, mixtures, formulas. The Avogadro constant and the mole concept. Elements of stoichiometry. Structure of the atom: nucleus, isotopes, radioactivity. The atomic theory: atomic spectra, the Bohr model, many-electron atoms. The periodic table and periodic properties of the elements. Basic concepts of the chemical bond: Lewis theory, shape of molecules using the VSEPR model. Models of covalent bonding. Ionic and metallic bond. Intermolecular forces, states of matter and their main properties. The solutions and their properties: solubility, vapor pressure, osmotic pressure. The chemical reactions and the chemical equation: balancing a chemical reaction. Thermodynamics: enthalpy, entropy and free energy. The principles of chemical equilibrium; the equilibrium state and the equilibrium constant; the response of equilibria to changes in conditions. Acid-base equilibria. Solubility equilibria. Electrochemistry: redox reactions and oxidation states; standard potentials and equilibrium constants. Chemical kinetics: rate law and reaction orders; activation energy; reaction mechanisms; catalysis. STOICHIOMETRY: The Stoichiometry module is part of the integrated course of General and Inorganic Chemistry and consist in the quantitative solving of problems related to the main topics of General Chemistry. In particular the main topics of the module are: units of measurement and basic principles of statistics, classification of compounds, oxidation number and chemical nomenclature, moles and Avogadro's number, molecular formula, percentage calculations, balancing non-redox reactions, reaction yield, introduction to green chemistry metrics and atom economy calculations, limiting reagent, classification of chemical reactions and prediction of reaction products of simple reactions, gas laws, ideal gas equation, gas mixtures, concentration of solutions, preparation of solutions by weighing and by dilution, colligative properties, chemical equilibrium, law of mass action, calculation of K and of the equilibrium composition, complex equilibria, Le Chatelier's principle, autoprotolysis of water and Kw, calculation of pH of solutions of strong acids and bases, strong acid-strong base titrations, calculation of pH and Ka and Kb of weak acids and bases, calculation of pH of polyprotic acids, degree of acid dissociation, hydrolysis, buffer solutions and Henderson-Hasselbach equation, heterogeneous equilibria, solubility product, solubility calculation, common ion effect, redox reactions and their balancing, galvanic cells, relationship between free energy and potential, Nernst equation, standard reduction potentials, electrolysis. Laboratory: A first part of the course, carried on in the classroom (2h), regards: i) acid-base titrations; ii) a description of the main experimental techniques used in the laboratory. The experimental activities in the laboratory (28h) is devoted to achieve practical expertise on basic operations (weighing, filtration, crystallization, preparation of known-title solutions, synthesis of simple inorganic compounds). The work in the laboratory is individual or in small groups, with a continuous tutoring by the teacher. The following experiments will be carried on: preparation of solutions with given concentration and pH determination with indicators. Hydrolysis. Preparation of buffer solutions. Properties of amphoteric metal hydroxides. Study of the reduction potentials of several elements. Determination of the purity of an impure salt (NaCl). Electrolysis of a solution of KI; electrolysis of water. Kinetics experiments. Suggestions will be provided on how to write an effective laboratory reports and how to use a correct vocabulary. The experimental activities in the laboratory (28h) is devoted to achieve practical expertise on basic operations (weighing, filtration, crystallization, preparation of known-title solutions, synthesis of simple inorganic compounds). The work in the laboratory is individual or in small groups, with a continuous tutoring by the teacher. The following experiments will be carried on: preparation of solutions with given concentration and pH determination with indicators. Hydrolysis. Preparation of buffer solutions. Properties of amphoteric metal hydroxides. Study of the reduction potentials of several elements. Determination of the purity of an impure salt (NaCl). Electrolysis of a solution of KI; electrolysis of water. Kinetics experiments. Suggestions will be provided on how to write an effective laboratory reports and how to use a correct vocabulary. Gender dimension integration: a brief reflection will be made on the scientific role played by some important female scientists of the past.

Knowledge and understanding: theoretical and operational knowledge about the fundamental laws of chemistry (mole, reaction, bonds and molecular structure, equilibrium, solution pH, thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry); visualization of the chemical phenomena from the macroscopic to the microscopic level; operational knowledge of general chemistry to solve stoichiometry exercises;
familiarity with simple basic techniques of filtration and crystallization. Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to apply the theory to assign the names of the most common inorganic chemical
compounds, to balance a chemical reaction, to perform stoichiometric calculations, to solve numerical problems with gases, solutions, and acid or basic substances, and electrochemistry; ability to
correlate the chemical structure with the physical
properties and reactivity of the compounds; acquire the ability to interpret and rationalize chemical reactions from a critical and non-mnemonic point of view, using a scientific methodological approach to
be applied to subsequent studies in other fields of chemistry and biology; ability to collect experimental data in a suitable way; ability to apply theoretical concepts to the execution and understanding of the experiments and to the interpretation of the results.
Making judgements: ability to interpret and rationalize chemical processes from a critical point of view, using a scientific methodological approach; ability to draw conclusions on stoichiometry
problems and to choose between different methods;
skill to analyze critically the results of the laboratory
experiences, understanding possible errors and suggesting solutions.; ability to make choices and express judgments. Communication skills: ability to use a suitable scientific language when answering the questions; acquisition of a vocabulary of
chemical terms to be able to expose topics of technical and conceptual nature in a precise,
concise and clear manner; skill to report on the work done (and generally on chemical-scientific topics) in a precise, concise and clear manner; ability to write a scientific report. Learning skills: ability to use the material provided
for a subsequent reasoned use.