Laurea (First cycle degree/Bachelor - 180 ECTS) in Chemistry and Technologies for the Environment and Materials

The specific objective of this first-level Degree programme is to train professional chemists with a sound basic preparation as regards chemistry and specific knowledge and professional skills in the field of specialisation chosen (Traditional and Innovative Materials or Environment, Energy, Waste).

- Traditional and Innovative Materials: New molecular, metallic, polymeric and ceramic materials and their composites over the past few decades have joined traditional materials and together they play a primary role in structural, thermo-mechanical, electric, electronic, biomedical applications and in functional components in general. The choice of the most suitable material for the type of application or function that a specific manufactured product and its components, also minor ones, is to cover is of fundamental importance for the functional and commercial success of the finished product.
This specialised field of study serves the purpose of preparing skilled professionals capable of operating in the chemical industry in general, and more specifically in the industries dealing with the production and manufacturing of metallic, polymeric, ceramic materials or their composites, as well as regarding the material applications in the manufacturing of products or components or derivatives. The knowledge acquired will also allow them to work in control laboratories and in the technological development of these materials.
The technologies of the ceramic industry, both traditional and advanced, will play a particular role because of the considerable importance which the industry has in terms of employees and turnover, in Italy in general, but more specifically in Emilia-Romagna.

- Environment, Energy, Waste: at the end of this degree course, graduates will have acquired general knowledge of the chemical aspects of environmental issues with reference to those related to anthropic processes; specific knowledge in the field of chemistry of pollutants and techniques for the control, analysis and definition of pollutants in the environment; knowledge of technologies for monitoring environmental pollution and the emissions from industrial plants; knowledge of technologies suitable for reducing environmental impacts, treating and disposing of waste, recovering material and energy; knowledge of the basic problems pertaining to the life cycle (LCA) of waste, the assessment of impacts in the different environmental sectors of the effluents produced (EIS-EIA) and environmental monitoring; specific knowledge in the area of environmental legislation, with specific reference to standards pertaining to waste treatment and disposal, environmental safety and monitoring; basic knowledge regarding corporate management and the certification procedures for products and processes.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ABILITY:
Graduates:
will have basic knowledge of mathematics: algebra, numerical calculus, study of functions, differential and integral calculus.
will have basic knowledge of physics: error analysis, correct use of units of measurement, mechanics, optics, electromagnetism.
will have basic knowledge of chemistry: chemical terminology, nomenclature, units of measurement, chemical reactions and their main characteristics, properties of elements and their compounds, including periodic trends, structural aspects of elements and their compounds, including stereochemistry, inorganic chemistry principles; structure, properties and reactivity, chemical bonds, synthesis and characterisation of coordination compounds, quantum mechanics principles and their applications in the description of the structure and properties of atoms and molecules, characteristics of the different states of matter, thermodynamic principles and their applications to chemistry, kinetics and mechanistic interpretation of chemical reactions, catalysis, homogenous and heterogeneous equilibria; simultaneous equilibria.
will have knowledge of structure and properties of organic and organometallic compounds; nature and behaviour of functional groups, major synthesis pathways in organic chemistry, structure and properties of important classes of biomolecules, foundations of polymer sciences, properties of polymeric products, chemistry of biological systems and industrial microbiology, main technological applications of enzymes and microorganisms, correlations between properties and molecular structure of products and materials.
will have knowledge of principles, instruments and performances of the principal methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis, gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, detection systems, chemical and spectrometric techniques for structural investigation, quality parameters for an analytical method: precision and accuracy, response linearity, sensitivity, selectivity. Significance test.
The knowledge and understanding abilities listed above are achieved through attending lectures, practical activities, seminars and experimental laboratories provided for as part of the course units, especially as part of the disciplinary fields included in the Basic Course Units. Assessment is accomplished mainly through oral and/or written exams and the verification of the results obtained in laboratory activities (with compulsory attendance).

ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND TO UNDERSTAND:
Graduates:
will have basic computer skills: operational systems, word processing, spreadsheets, database use, Internet use, and will be able to manage information, including that obtained from on-line research.
will have laboratory and practical skills: safety in the chemical laboratory and procedure compliance, regulations and legislation, will be able to operate autonomously and confidently in basic operations, will have practical skills in executing standard procedures for synthesis, purification, analysis and characterisation will be able to use common techniques and instruments, will be able to plan and carry out an experiment; will have independent judgement skills when evaluating, quantifying and presenting results.

As part of the specialised field chosen (Traditional and Innovative Materials or Environment, Energy, Waste) graduates will have the following technological-applicative abilities, documented in the Diploma Supplement issued by the University:
a. Traditional and Innovative Materials:
Graduates will have theoretical and technological-applicative knowledge concerning traditional materials: metals, ceramics, polymers, semiconductors and composites. They will have knowledge of innovative materials: biocompatible ceramics, ceramics for high-performance uses, organic and inorganic materials, nanostructured materials, etc.
They will have abilities in Science and Technology of Materials: Energy content and eco-compatibility, material resources, reserves and recycling, structure and microstructure, shaping of metals, moulding of polymers and glass manufacturing, shaping, pressing and sintering of ceramic materials, technology of binding materials, composite materials, conductors and semiconductors, physical properties of materials and control techniques of these properties according to international standards.
They will have abilities in the field of metallic materials: metallurgical processing of iron, aluminium, copper and titanium, basic concepts concerning their mechanical properties, classification and status diagrams of the main industrial alloys, their thermal and mechanical treatment systems, origin of defects, fracture mechanisms and behaviour in operation, influence of temperature and chemical interactions, survey techniques (scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy for microanalysis, X-ray diffractometry, etc.). Durometers and machines for resistance tests.
They will have abilities concerning Polymeric materials: chemical synthesis of polymeric materials, structure-property relations, characterisation techniques for functional and structural polymeric materials.
They will have abilities concerning the Physical Chemistry of Materials: chemical-physical, mechanical, optical, rheological properties, properties of the individual molecules and their self-organisation in condensed phases (solid, vitreous, liquid crystalline, etc.), applicative aspects (colloids, polymers, catalysts, electronic devices, nanotechnologies, etc.).
They will have abilities concerning industrial chemistry: structural analysis and economy of the chemical industry, knowledge of chemical processes for the production of innovative inorganic materials and nanomaterials, knowledge of chemical technologies for the production of ceramic materials, enamels, glass and pigments, control of the main operational parameters, applied rheology, development of solid properties in thermal treatments, choice of the best type of process depending on the material, introduction to management Quality/Safety/Environment systems, intellectual property.
They will have abilities concerning chemical and mechanical plants: integral balances of matter and energy, fluid motions, transmission of heat and heat exchangers, interface transport of matter, main types of chemical reactions and design elements and functional verification, operational principles of selected separation processes and elements for the design, testing and choice of the relevant equipment, primary elements in plants, designs and block diagrams, ceramic mixes and relevant industrial supports, dry and wet processes, methods for shaping and drying processes, plants for suction, water supply and the production and distribution of compressed air.

b. Environment, Energy, Waste:
Graduates will have theoretical and technological-applicative knowledge concerning the general aspects of processes involved in environmental compartments: air, water, soil. They will be knowledgeable as regards global change, the greenhouse effect, acid rain, waste-related issues. They will be aware of specific cases related to the chemical industry and of specific legislation concerning the main issues under investigation.
They will know about the effect of the main pollutant classes, their reactions and their toxic action inside organisms. They will be able to calculate the divisions of pollutants among different environmental compartments for balanced systems and non. They will be able to perform bibliographical studies on chemicophysical and toxicology parameters of principal pollutants.
They will know about control and standardisation procedures of the methods applied to environmental matrices and the main monitoring methods of pollutants in the different environmental matrices (air, water, soil). They will have knowledge of methods for sampling, storing and treating samples and the main analytical techniques for determining the priority pollutants. They will know about the main instrumental analysis techniques used in the environmental sector and have the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to plan and optimise an environmental analytical survey.
They will have abilities concerning environmental certification standards in the European Union: ISO standards and EMAS regulation, analysis tools and management procedures for obtaining the various types of environmental certification, including Life Cycle Assessment of the Integrated Environmental Monitoring System, risk analysis, environmental labelling and their approach phases. They will be familiar with the guidelines for the preparation of an ecobalance in a productive system, the assessment of direct and indirect environmental impacts, the definition of possible lines of action. They will have abilities concerning the use principles of software for the drafting of a Life Cycle study of processes and products and the adoption of validation and certification instruments.
They will have abilities on the production of energy and on the Italian and international scenario as regards the use of fossil fuels and alternative sources.
They will have abilities concerning renewable energy forms: efficiency of production systems, capacity and limiting factors, direct and indirect environmental impacts deriving from different production processes, energy recovery and saving ensuing from correct waste management, technologies and procedures for alternative and sustainable energy production.
They will have knowledge concerning environmental technologies, the management and recycling of waste: main operating principles of the liquid and gas effluent treatment techniques, functional design and equipment testing, plant-related aspects in each operation.
They will know about the correct analysis of waste management and understand the usability and limits of the most widespread technologies. They will be familiar with the theoretical tools necessary for the best choice of current and future technologies through the correct analysis of the key chemicophysical, thermodynamic and fluidodynamic parameters for each technology.
They will be aware of issues related to the Recycling of Waste within an Integrated Management System and the national and European framework. They will know about recovery and enhancement techniques of matter and energy for environmental sustainability.
They will know about best available technologies (BAT) and environmental process and control operating conditions.
They will have abilities regarding chemical plants: integral matter and energy balances; fluid motions; heat transmission and heat exchangers; interface matter transport, the main types of chemical reactors and design elements and functional testing, operating principles of selected separation processes and design, testing and choice elements for the relevant equipment.
They will have knowledge of industrial chemistry and polymer sciences: main classes of reactions and raw materials used in industrial chemical production, will understand the running and assessment of efficiency parameters of chemical reactions in industrial chemical processes and of the aspects related to safety and environmental compatibility.
They will know about the main chemical synthesis methods for polymer materials, structure-property relations, and the techniques for their characterization, recovery and recycling.

Contact with the business world.
The knowledge and understanding abilities acquired during the course will be concluded through a pre-graduate practical internship to be carried out in public or private companies.
Achieving the ability to apply the knowledge and understanding listed above is accomplishedfirst of all by means of the critical reflection on the texts suggested for home study and through the practical application of the knowledge acquired during the laboratory work integrated in the courses put into effect in the scientific disciplinary fields listed as part of the core course units. The ability to apply knowledge for the solving of real problems in the chemical industry is also an important part of the courses put into effect in the scientific disciplinary fields listed as part of the corse units. Students may also acquire practical niche knowledge also through the choice of activities students may choose from autonomously.
Contact with the business world through traineeships and internships in companies and public or private entities is of particular importance.
Assessment is accomplished mainly through written and/or oral exams, reports or problem-solving activities which include the performance of specific tasks whereby students show their command over tools, methods and critical judgement.

JUDGEMENT SKILLS:
Graduates:
will have the ability to plan and conduct experiments; design its timing and methods, exercise independent judgement for the assessment and quantification of results

will have good organisational skills, strictly complying with schedules

will have the ability to analyse and pay careful attention to details
will have independent judgement skills and the ability to plan and conduct experiments is developed in particular during the practical activities and seminars organised, and also while drafting the papers required for course units and laboratory work in the scientific disciplinary fields listed among the course units.
Judgement skills are assessed by means of the evaluation carried out by the staff in charge of laboratory activities concerning the degree of independence and the ability to work, also as part of a group, during the experiments carried. The assessments of the course units in the student's individual study programme are also important.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Graduates:
will have the ability to communicate in writing and orally in their own language and in another principal European language,