For the Master Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology. Course module of Physical Chemistry (24 hrs).
Course in Italian.
Learning objectives
Physical Chemistry.The main objective of the course is to provide students with basic knowledge of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics. Topics treated in the course aim at:
- strengthening the logical and quantitative thinking skills of the students;
- refining problem solving skills in the fields of physical and analytical chemistry;
- providing the student with the necessary tools to fully understand the principles of thermodynamics, chemical kinetics and reactivity.
- strengthening the logical and quantitative thinking skills of the students;
- refining problem solving skills in the fields of physical and analytical chemistry;
- providing the student with the necessary tools to fully understand the principles of thermodynamics, chemical kinetics and reactivity.
Expected learning outcomes
Physical Chemistry. At the end of the course the student:
- will have expertise in basic chemical thermodynamics and kinetics;
- will master the main concepts underlying the physico-chemical themes illustrated in the lectures;
- will be proficient in applying theory to the resolution of simple exercises.
- will have expertise in basic chemical thermodynamics and kinetics;
- will master the main concepts underlying the physico-chemical themes illustrated in the lectures;
- will be proficient in applying theory to the resolution of simple exercises.
Syllabus
Physical chemistry
Mathematical Intro:
Short recap of derivatives and Riemann integration. Short introduction to function differentials and partial derivatives.
Thermodynamics:
Property of gases. Perfect gases. Thermodynamical equilibrium. Reversibility of thermodynamical processes. First principle of thermodynamics. Thermochemistry. Second principle of thermodynamics. Entropy. Gibbs free energy. Chemical potential of a pure species. Third principle of thermodynamics. Chemical potential of a species in a mixture. Phase transitions of pure species. Chemical activity. Chemical equilibrium. Equilibrium constants. Dependence of the chemical equilibrium on temperature and pressure. Phase diagrams for ideal mixtures. Deviations from ideality: azeotropes and eutectics.
Chemical kinetics:
Rate of chemical reactions. Order of a chemical reaction. Empirical kinetics equations. Methods to determine the order of a chemical reaction. Brief introduction to complex reactions and to enzymatic kinetics (Michaelis-Menten mechanism). Short introduction to transition state theory.
Mathematical Intro:
Short recap of derivatives and Riemann integration. Short introduction to function differentials and partial derivatives.
Thermodynamics:
Property of gases. Perfect gases. Thermodynamical equilibrium. Reversibility of thermodynamical processes. First principle of thermodynamics. Thermochemistry. Second principle of thermodynamics. Entropy. Gibbs free energy. Chemical potential of a pure species. Third principle of thermodynamics. Chemical potential of a species in a mixture. Phase transitions of pure species. Chemical activity. Chemical equilibrium. Equilibrium constants. Dependence of the chemical equilibrium on temperature and pressure. Phase diagrams for ideal mixtures. Deviations from ideality: azeotropes and eutectics.
Chemical kinetics:
Rate of chemical reactions. Order of a chemical reaction. Empirical kinetics equations. Methods to determine the order of a chemical reaction. Brief introduction to complex reactions and to enzymatic kinetics (Michaelis-Menten mechanism). Short introduction to transition state theory.
Prerequisites for admission
The general inorganic chemistry course is a prerequisite for full understanding of the lessons. In addition, students should have acquired the basics of mathematics and physics.
Teaching methods
The course is organized in lectures (28 hours). Numerical exercises will also be performed in order to deepen the theoretical concepts covered in the course.
Teaching Resources
Recommended books: Atkins, Physical Chemistry (any edition);
Slides uploaded to the website of MyAriel
Slides uploaded to the website of MyAriel
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be a single exam lasting 2 hours in person and will consist of 2 exercises and 1 open question on Analytical Chemistry (1 hour) and 2 exercises to be solved on the Physical Chemistry program (1 hour).
Students are allowed to use a non-programmable calculator, while it is forbidden to use books, notes, computers, or smartphones during the exam.
For each module marks range between 0 and 30 with possibility to get honours (i.e. "cum laude"). To pass the exam students must get at least 18/30 marks in both modules. The final grade is equal to the average of the marks obtained in the two modules. Half units will be rounded to the nearest higher integer (for instance, an average of 28.5 will result in a final grade of 29/30). To get the laude in the final grade it is necessary to have obtained 30/30 cum laude in at least one of the modules and at least 29/30 in the other one. As for the computation of the average final grade a 30/30 cum laude mark in one of the two modules is equal to 31.
Students are allowed to use a non-programmable calculator, while it is forbidden to use books, notes, computers, or smartphones during the exam.
For each module marks range between 0 and 30 with possibility to get honours (i.e. "cum laude"). To pass the exam students must get at least 18/30 marks in both modules. The final grade is equal to the average of the marks obtained in the two modules. Half units will be rounded to the nearest higher integer (for instance, an average of 28.5 will result in a final grade of 29/30). To get the laude in the final grade it is necessary to have obtained 30/30 cum laude in at least one of the modules and at least 29/30 in the other one. As for the computation of the average final grade a 30/30 cum laude mark in one of the two modules is equal to 31.
