CHIMICA

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge required to understand the language of chemistry—specifically the main classes of inorganic and organic molecules (including biomolecules) and the relationship between structure, properties, and reactivity.

Knowledge and understanding

Students will become familiar with key phenomena in basic chemistry and will be able to understand their applications in a biological context. The course covers the fundamentals of general, inorganic, and organic chemistry required to understand the chemical and biological processes occurring within the soil-plant system. Furthermore, students will develop the ability to comprehend scientific texts, synthesize and creatively process the material studied, and reflect upon the knowledge acquired.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Students will be able to apply the knowledge they have acquired to recognize the laws governing chemical phenomena and to independently solve problems and exercises, including those in fields other than chemistry. They will be able to link theory to real-world field and laboratory conditions—understanding, for instance, how salts or fertilizers behave in the soil, how pesticides dissolve or degrade, and what transformations organic matter undergoes in the soil.

Making judgement

Using the knowledge of chemical phenomena acquired during the course, students will be able to independently assess the significance of the results obtained, as well as the meaning of the units of measurement and the order of magnitude of the variables describing the phenomena. They will also be able to predict how a substance (be it a fertilizer, a pesticide, or a biomolecule) will react.

Communication skills

At the end of the course, the student will be able to clearly and accurately present the knowledge acquired, translating theory into accessible technical language. Furthermore, they will be able to describe the chemical characteristics of agricultural products (e.g., fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) or soil analysis results to both technical audiences (agronomists, laboratory staff) and non-specialists in the field.

Learning skills

At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the ability to study autonomously and to delve deeper into the concepts covered. The student will be capable of studying scientific texts, consulting databases, and interpreting safety data sheets for agricultural chemicals, thereby being well-prepared to tackle subsequent L-25 program exams—such as Plant Biochemistry, Pathology, Pedology, and Agricultural Industries—without knowledge gaps.

Lectures supported by PC and projector, and practical exercises on the topics covered in class.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus

Attending the classes is not mandatory, but strongly recommended, as it facilities the learning process and contributes to the achievement of the learning objectives.

1. *Nature of Matter. 

2. *Structure of matter. 

3. *Chemical bond. 

4. *Chemical compounds, nomenclature and chemical reactions. 

5. *Thermodynamics and kinetics. 

6. *States of aggregation of matter.

7. *Solutions.

8. *Chemical equilibrium. 

9. *Electrolytic solutions and ionic equilibria.

10. *Organic chemistry: families of compounds, functional groups and physico-chemical properties.

11. *Stereochemistry.

12. *Biomolecules.

1.  Pietro Tagliatesta, CHIMICA GENERALE E INORGANICA, edi-ermes.

2.  Brown, Campbell, Farrel; ELEMENTI DI CHIMICA ORGANICA, Edi-SES.

Additional teaching material to be made available to students consists of: copies (in PDF format) of the PowerPoint presentations used during lectures and seminars.

Mid-term assessments are scheduled, allowing students to pass the exam.

The final exam, if necessary, consists of a written test.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

 MID-TERM TESTS

Two mid-term tests are scheduled: the first around the midpoint of the course (during the scheduled teaching break) and the second at the end of the course. Each mid-term test consists of a written exam containing multiple-choice theoretical questions and numerical exercises involving stoichiometric calculations. Points will be awarded as follows: 1 point for a correct answer, and 0 points for an incorrect or unanswered question. A mid-term test is considered passed if the score obtained is between 18 and 30 (on a scale of 30). The average of the grades obtained in the two mid-term tests will constitute the final grade; if this average is between 18 and 30, the student will be exempt from taking the final exam. If the average is below 18, the student must take the exam on one of the dates scheduled in the academic calendar in order to pass the course. Before the test begins, the instructor will provide all necessary instructions for completing the exam. Registration for the mid-term test is mandatory and must be completed exclusively via the Studium platform (http://studium.unict.it) by the indicated deadline.

END-OF-COURSE EXAM

The end-of-course exam (lasting 90 minutes) consists of a written test comprising multiple-choice questions on theory and numerical exercises involving stoichiometric calculations. Points are awarded as follows: 1 point for a correct answer, and 0 points for an incorrect or unanswered question. The exam is considered passed if the score obtained is between 18 and 30 (on a scale of 30); otherwise, the student must retake the entire exam on one of the scheduled dates. Before the exam begins, the instructor will provide all necessary instructions for completing the test successfully. Registration for the exam is mandatory for each session and must be completed exclusively via the student portal (https://studenti.smartedu.unict.it/) by the indicated deadline.