The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning outcomes

This course will provide students with the principal bases of physics and chemistry, to be subsequently applied in biochemistry, environmental sciences and human physiopathology.

Program

THE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY MODULE. Syllabus.
Atomic structure, fundamental particles, atomic dimensions. Elements and isotopes. The concept of mole and the Avogadro number, atomic weights. Atomic orbitals, relevant energy contents, geometry for hydrogen-like and poly-electronic elements. Electronic configurations of elements and periodic properties: volume and atomic radius, ionization potentials and electronic affinity.
Molecules, compounds, chemical bonds and molecular interactions. Molecules and molecular weights, molecules and chemical formula. Oxidation numbers. Nomenclature of inorganic compounds, general properties and chemical reactivity. Theory of the ionic bond. Valence bond theory, covalent bonds and dative bonds. Multiple bonds. Electronegativity. Sigma- and pi-orbitals. Hybridization of atomic orbitals. Delocalization and resonance.
Structure of polyatomic molecules. Intermolecular interactions, weak intermolecular forces, dipole-dipole interactions, hydrogen bonds.
Physical States of Matter, laws and properties, phase transitions. The Perfect gas model, laws of the gas state. State diagram of water. The liquid phase. Solutions: solute concentration methods.
Chemical reactions and reaction balance, weight calculations and stoichiometry. Acid and base reactions.

THE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY MODULE. Syllabus.
Introduction. The chemical peculiarities of the carbon atom. Hybridization sp3, sp2 and sp. Intramolecular forces (chemical bonds) and intermolecular forces in organic compounds. Covalent bonding in carbon compounds, types of bonding, polarity of bonds. Functional groups.
Alkanes: structure, isomerism, nomenclature, properties, combustion reaction.
Alkenes: structure, chemical and physical properties, nomenclature, isomerism.
Benzene and aromatic compounds: structure, nomenclature.
Alcohols and Phenols: structure, properties, nomenclature, natural occurrence
Halogen derivatives: structure, properties.
Aldehydes and ketones: structure, properties, Redox reactions
Carboxylic acids: structure, properties, acidity, nomenclature
Carboxylic acid derivatives: esters, amides, acid chlorides, anhydrides. Amino acids
Phase diagrams of organic substances. A guide to reading of their MSDS chart (physico-chemical properties). The logP scale

THE APPLIED PHYSICS MODULE. Syllabus.
1. Physical observables and physical laws. Fundamental and derived units. International System (M.K.S.), c.g.s. system, British units. Multiples and submultiples. Vectors and scalars.
2. Kinematics: displacement, velocity and acceleration. Uniform motion. Uniformly accelerated motion.
3. Dynamics: the three fundamental principles. Forces: vector representation, composition and decomposition. Measurements of forces: scales and dynamometer. Gravitational force, reaction forces, inertial forces. Torque. Levers.
4. Work. Kinetic and potential energy. Conservation of mechanical energy. Power.
5. States of matter. Density and pressure. Stevin’s law. Pascal principle, buoyancy. Atmospheric pressure. Flow. Bernoulli’s theorem. Viscosity. Hagen-Poiseuille law. Physics of the cardiovascular system.
6. Temperature and thermometers. Thermal expansion. Ideal gases. Heat. Phase transitions. Heat propagation. Thermoregulation in living organisms. Principles of thermodynamics. Metabolism.
7. Elastic waves: physical characteristics. Sound. Ultrasounds. Doppler effect.
8. Electric phenomena. Coulomb’s law. Electric field and electric potential. Capacitors and capacitance. Electric currents. Ohm’s laws. Resistors. Resistors in series and in parallel. Joule effect. Safety issues. Bioelectricity. Magnetic phenomena. Magnetic field. Biot-Savart law. Electromagnetic induction. Faraday’s law.
9. Electromagnetic waves. Spectrum of the electromagnetic waves. Optics. Snell’s law. Dispersion. Total internal reflection. Optical fibers. Thin lenses. Vision.
10. Structure of the atomic nucleus. Isotopes and nuclides. Radioactivity. Nuclear decays. Law of nuclear decay. Activity and half-life. Dosimetry.

Bibliography

Examination Methods

THE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY MODULE. Execution and modality of the examination.
The verification of the Inorganic Chemistry module is tested by a written examination performed at the same time of the Organic Chemistry one. An eventually oral examination is programmed only in the case of a not complete sufficiency acquired in the written counterpart. Written test consists in a set of open questions and numeric calculation exercises. Typically examination takes 1 hour long.
The number and the dates of the examinations are fixed according to the faculty instructions; time-schedule examinations are published at the beginning of each semester. To enrol for the final-examination the student must exclusively utilize the information processing system (Esse3).

THE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY MODULE. Execution and modality of the examination.
The verification of the Organic Chemistry module is sustained by a written test performed simultaneously with that of the General and Inorganic Chemistry. An eventual oral examination is required only in the event of a dubious written test. The written test consists in a set of open questions and numeric calculations to solve simple organic chemistry exercises. Typicall, the time available for this text is 1 hour.
The number and the dates of the examinations are decided in accordance with the Course-program instructions; time-schedule examinations are published at the beginning of each semester. To enrol for the final-examination the student must exclusively utilize the information processing system (Esse3)

THE APPLIED PHYSICS MODULE. Execution and modality of the examination.
The exam consists in a written test including multiple-choice questions and two open questions. Multiple-choice questions require the solution of specific problems with no need for a calculator.
The written test will be considered as “passed” with a minimum score of 16/30.