Module B – Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry
Statistic – Simplified approach of statistic methods in Analytical Chemistry and data evaluation (3h).
Sampling – short introduction to sampling methods, conservation and chemical digestion of samples in solid and liquid phase (4h).
Chemical equilibrium and Analytical Chemistry – application of basic rules of chemical equilibrium in Analytical Chemistry: acids and basis, red-ox, precipitation and complexation equilibria, application in titration methods (6h).
Quantitative Methods – titration methods, selecting and evaluating the End Point: use of indicator, primary and secondary standard materials (3h).
Instrumental Analysis – general information, selection criteria of analytical methods, calibration curves, methods of standards addition (2h).
Basic analytical instrumentation – molecular spectroscopic techniques, introduction to chromatography (3h).
Environmental Analysis – theoretical and practical aspects in environmental analysis, use of portable instrumentation for sampling and “in situ” analysis.

Laboratory – basic operations in quantitative analysis: weighing, volume measure, use of quantitative glassware. Safety and behavior rules in chemistry laboratories.
The course includes a preliminary laboratory (24h) and field activities (24h): the purpose of the in-door laboratory is to provide sufficient "chemical instruments" to carry out the sequence of operations provided by the analytical protocol adopted and to evaluate the results, including simple statistical tools, evaluating the possible interaction with the lithological arrangement of the sampling area.
The laboratory provides the following experiences and field trips:

- measure of volumes; use of the technical balance and analytical balance (3h);

- acid-base titrations: HCl and NaOH (4+4 h)

- titrations by complexation: Calcium and Magnesium determination in commercial mineral waters (4h);

- red-ox titrations: Determination of dissolved oxygen (D.O.) using the Winkler method (4h);

- use of portable instrumentation (T, pH, conductivity, DO, colorimetric kits), use of portable kits for determination of alkalinity and hardness (4h);

- Field trip: Porto Ceresio (fd 4h*)

- Field trip: Gravedona (fd 8h*)

- Potentiometric titration of carbonates in natural waters (3h)

- ionic chromatography (2h)

- Field trip: Alpe Ventina – Chiareggio (SO)(fd 12h*).

* Note: field-trips could be modified or subordinated to passing educational tests and / or replaced by integrated laboratories in case of lack of adequate hospitality facilities or for serious organizational reasons