- Docente: Arianna Menichetti
- Credits: 5
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Chemical methodologies for products and processes (cod. 6006)
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from Oct 19, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027
Learning outcomes
The aim of this course is to provide students with familiarity with the basic equipment and techniques used in a chemistry laboratory. By the end of the course, students will be able to read Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and handle chemicals safely, use IUPAC nomenclature and the International System of Units (SI), perform stoichiometric calculations and prepare solutions of known concentration, collect and process experimental data, and relate experimental results to the fundamental principles of chemistry.
Course contents
During the course, the following topics will be covered: laboratory safety; laboratory equipment; fundamental laboratory techniques; and the execution of laboratory experiments and analysis of experimental data.
The experimental component of the course is based on the following laboratory exercises:
- Purification of benzoic acid
- Chemical reactions, redox reactions, and the reducing power series
- Preparation of double salts
- Solubility of silver acetate
- Acid–base titrations
- Equilibria in solution: buffer solutions
- Determination of an equilibrium constant by spectrophotometric measurements
- Redox titrations
- Stoichiometric verification: copper reactions
- Determination of equilibrium constants by electrochemical measurements
Please note that minor changes to the laboratory experiments may occur depending on the availability of reagents and instrumentation.
Access to the teaching laboratories is subject to compliance with the safety protocols approved by CILDIC.
Readings/Bibliography
The laboratory manual and the lecture slides describing the laboratory experiments are provided by the professor.
The theoretical background for the topics covered in the laboratory has been presented in the General Chemistry course and can be found in any standard university-level general chemistry textbook.
Kotz, Treichel, Weaver, Chemistry, EdiSES.
Atkins, Jones, Chemical Principles, Zanichelli.
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures, individual laboratory sessions, and laboratory reports.
The lectures are designed to prepare students for the laboratory activities. During the lectures, the laboratory experiments will be presented, numerical exercises on stoichiometric calculations will be carried out, and practical demonstrations of the experimental procedures to be performed in the laboratory will be provided. The operating procedures and laboratory protocols will also be explained.
The individual laboratory sessions are intended to provide students with the fundamental practical skills required to carry out laboratory work safely and effectively.
For each laboratory experiment, students are required to prepare a laboratory report.
Assessment methods
Attendance is compulsory throughout the entire course, including both lectures and laboratory sessions. Students are required to sign an attendance register for both types of activities.
Each student is required to prepare an individual written laboratory report for every laboratory experiment performed.
Laboratory reports will be assessed on an ongoing basis and graded on the Italian 30-point scale (x/30). The highest distinction (lode (honors)) is not awarded for laboratory reports.
There is no final examination. At the end of the course, students will receive a pass (idoneità), provided that they have attended at least 75% of the course activities (lectures and laboratory sessions) and obtained a passing evaluation for at least 75% of the laboratory reports, provided that these are submitted within the prescribed deadlines.
Teaching tools
Lectures will make use of the blackboard, PowerPoint presentations, and multimedia materials.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used as a supporting tool for individual study, for example to facilitate further exploration of course topics, produce summaries, and provide opportunities for self-assessment. However, the use of AI during any in-person assessment is strictly prohibited. Any such use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.
Laboratory activities will be conducted in the General and Inorganic Chemistry Teaching Laboratory of the Interdepartmental Centre for Teaching Laboratories in Chemistry and Pharmacy (CILDIC).
To access the laboratory, students must wear a laboratory coat, which they are required to obtain independently. Safety goggles and latex/nitrile gloves will be provided in the laboratory.
Access to the teaching laboratories is subject to compliance with the safety protocols approved by CILDIC.
Students are also required to complete the online Health and Safety in Study and Research Environments training courses (Modules 1, 2, and 3), which are delivered through an e-learning platform.
Office hours
See the website of Arianna Menichetti