D1. Knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course the student must demonstrate that he has acquired the cognitive foundations of the sampling and analytical characterization processes of complex matrices through the application of modern instrumental methodologies. D2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course the student must be able to safely apply the knowledge acquired in point D1 to carry out laboratory experiences on the application of sampling techniques, sample preparation and analysis with chromatographic, spectrometric, spectroscopic, also with hyphenated techniques. The student must also be able to analyze experimental data acquired with the application of multivariate analysis. D3. Making judgements: At the end of the course the student will be able to propose the most suitable instrumental methods to achieve an analytical objective. You must be able to operate independently even comparing data produced in laboratory activities with literature data and specific standards. D4. Communication skills: At the end of the course the student must be able to clearly explain the concepts acquired and produce technical-scientific reports on the experiments carried out, with clarity and adequate detail. D5. Learning ability: At the end of the course the student must be able to independently consult international and national scientific and technical literature to identify analytical procedures suitable for predefined objectives.

The course will provide the tools to develop knowledge and theoretical understanding skills relating to the application and development of separative techniques, methods of detection and related techniques of data analysis (chromatographic systems, high resolution mass spectrometries and advanced spectroscopic methods), used to characterize complex matrices in various fields (environmental, industrial, healthcare). The course aims not only to provide detailed knowledge on some advanced instrumental analytical techniques, but also to deepen the evaluations on the production chain of chemical-analytical information. La parte di laboratorio permetterà di acquisire esperienza nell’utilizzo di strumentazione ad elevata complessità in riferimento ai metodi analitici sopra citati.

Teacher's notes, with bibliographic material available online

The chemical analytical process and information theory in analytical chemistry - Complex matrices and description of analytical variability - models and examples (industrial, environmental, healthcare fields; e.g. waste, food, biological matrices).
The production of a representative sample from complex matrices (solid / liquid / gaseous); Gy theory; strategies; ancillary information to support sampling aimed at chemical analysis
Analyte extraction techniques in complex matrices, clean up and preparatory automation; notes on automation for solid phase extractions and clean ups – QuEChERS solid phase dispersion methods
Advanced separation techniques: UHPLC chromatography, HILIC, nano-liquid chromatographic separations, multidimensional techniques: LC-MS (LCxLC), 2D-GC (GCxGC)
Mass spectrometry: theory and instrumentation of tandem spectrometry, s.m. in Fourier transform (Orbitrap and ICR)
Vibrational spectroscopies, analytical applications with references to hyperspectral imaging techniques and non-destructive analysis
Laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and chemo-informatics pipelines for the processing of data taken from complex matrices
Visit to highly specialized analytical laboratories
Laboratory experiences on solid phase sampling of gaseous analytes from real gases and spectroscopic analyses, supervised and unsupervised analyzes of organic analytes on solid and aqueous samples; analysis of trace elements from solid particulate samples; investigations via vibrational spectroscopy of complex matrices.

Face-to-face lessons (32 hours) in person; laboratory exercises (24 hours) in person; interaction via the Teams and Moodle platform; visit to laboratories; seminars.

The student's evaluation includes an oral test which the student can access after submitting reports on the experiences made in the laboratory.
During the oral test the student will make a presentation via Powerpoint or similar programs on a scientific article (score up to 10/30) assigned by the teacher. Generally, in addition to the presentation, two other questions are asked on topics relevant to the program. Responses are evaluated for relevance, specificity, ability to provide chemical, schematic and quantitative detail with respect to the proposed question.
The ability to organize and carry out experimental activities in the laboratory and the accuracy in drafting reports on experiences are assessed, which can add or subtract up to 6/30 to the score of the oral exam.