In addition to the general objectives of the 2nd cycle degree programme in class LM-54, the 2nd cycle degree programme in Chemistry specifically aims to train professional figures able to work in management roles in laboratories, research bodies and centres, control and evaluation bodies, public and private companies, in the following fields: (i)innovation in the synthesis of old and new products, responding to the criteria of efficiency and environmental sustainability imposed by social sensitivity and the strict European regulations which came into force in 2007; (ii) use of the most advanced technologies for the structural determination of new molecules; (iii) identification and use of the most appropriate technologies for industrial quality control and process analysis, as well as in clinical,toxicological, forensic and environmental sectors; (iv) problems linked to chemical risk and compliance with the regulations concerning chemical substances; (v) familiarity with the use of computational techniques. The computational techniques aim on one hand to solve structural and mechanical problems, with the possibility to anticipate chemical and physical properties of new products in a wide range of product sectors, correlating microscopic molecular properties with the macroscopic properties of the produced substances; on the other hand they are essential for developing a statistical approach to data processing and process optimisation.
We describe below the professional skills the students will acquire in the different specific fields:
- Synthesis: the ability to design and perform efficient and sustainable syntheses of organic, inorganicand organometallic molecules for a wide range of applications, including molecules with the highest added value, typical of the pharmaceutical sector and linked generally to life sciences. Attention will focus on a key sector of research, catalysis, also representing a privileged route to economic efficiency and environmental sustainability during production. Particular importance will be paid in the synthetic field to asymmetric catalysis,organocatalysis, enzymatic catalysis and sustainable technologies.
In the bioorganic field, the theoretical/mechanistic basis provided to students will allow them to understand the reaction mechanisms of biologically active molecules, including natural organic substances, those of secondary metabolisms, drugs and all application substances in the agrochemical, food and health sectors.Methodological and interpretative tools will be proposed to study the vast subject of the interaction between organic molecules and biological receptors underlying toxicology and pharmacology.
- Analysis and Characterisation:the ability to evaluate the most suitable techniques for solving practical problems in any research area, from industrial and applied research, to the tertiary sector connected to industrial hygiene, environmental, clinical, food processing and forensic quality certification. Graduates must therefore be skilled in the most advanced instrumental techniques and must be able to critically assess the quality parameters according to the nature of the problem. Analytical and chemical-physical measurements must be accompanied by a familiarity with the most advanced protocols for handling complex matrices(industrial, food, biological or environmental). Computer skills are essential for the database management and data processing.
The knowledge of regulations and sensitivity to problems of safety and protection are a prerequisite for chemists to be able to focus on the key issue of sustainability. Graduates will respond to these needs through innovation of both chemical substances made available to society and the technologies used to produce them. Knowledge of the design of alternative chemical substances, the relationships between activities and structures, green synthesis methods, catalysis and organocatalysis techniques, the use of alternative solvents, represent the scientific basis for graduates in the areas of research and innovation which represent the most important aspect of their professionalism. Prior to beginning work on their dissertations students will have the possibility to perform an internship with the following purposes: completion of an in-depth bibliographical research on an assigned topic and the acquisition of a specific competence in the use of instrumental techniques and procedures required to develop their dissertation work. This curricular internship may be performed outside the university, in a public research body or a company, under the supervision of an official of the host structure and a member of the degree programme teaching staff.
