Course objectives and Careers and employment

For admission to the Master’s programme, students must hold a bachelor’s degree (which may be a
bachelor’s degree obtained according to the regulations in force before Ministerial Decree 509/1999 and subsequent amendments and supplements) or a three-year university degree, or another academic title obtained abroad, recognised as suitable by the competent offices of the University.
Meeting curricular requirements and the adequacy of the student’s initial preparation are also required for admission.
Specifically, the curricular requirements are a degree in Class 21 (Chemical Sciences and Technology) under Ministerial Decree 509/1999 and in Class L-27 (Chemical Sciences and Technology) under Ministerial Decree 270/2004.
Candidates who have obtained a degree in subjects other than those indicated above are also eligible, provided their studies have enabled them to acquire at least 60 ECTS credits in the CHIM SSDs/*, as specified in the Teaching Regulations of the course.
The latter also sets out the procedures for verifying the adequacy of the student’s initial preparation.

ITALIANO (ENGLISH for the curriculum “ Bio- and Nano-materials”)

The Master’s degree course in Chemistry is intended to equip specialist graduates with highly qualified scientific and professional skills in the various areas of chemical sciences. 
Graduates of this programme will qualify as chemistry professionals with a high level of proficiency in the techniques used to study, purify and characterise inorganic and organic chemicals. They also have in-depth knowledge of the structure, properties and applications of these chemicals. 
They will also gain adequate knowledge of the various fields of application of the chemical sciences and have the ability to hold key positions in the research and development of chemical processes and in the design and management of industrial chemical systems. 
In addition, master’s degree graduates in Chemistry will acquire all the knowledge they need to successfully pursue higher education, such as second-level Master’s and PhD courses. 
To achieve these results, the programme provides a solid scientific and theoretical background, which is complemented by practical experience in teaching and research laboratories, as well as in various business contexts. The course of study in Chemistry relies on the contribution from lecturers across various departments of the University (Department of Chemistry, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences). 
The course of study includes different curricula covering the basic subject areas of chemistry: Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. 
Thanks to the programme’s structure, students will acquire in-depth scientific knowledge of all aspects of chemistry, which they can apply to specific areas by selecting from a range of courses. 
The different distribution of core subjects across the curricula is designed to enable the achievement of the following specific objectives: 
- Enable students to develop the ability to conduct basic and applied research and study on chemical systems of any kind, improving their understanding of the structure and reactivity of the substances that comprise these systems; 
- Provide students with the necessary skills to manage industrial chemical processes for the production of both organic and inorganic substances and materials; 
- Enable students to understand how to optimise and validate the efficacy and environmental compatibility
of chemical industry products, thanks to purification and analysis techniques gained in theoretical courses and technical/practical activities carried out in the various course subjects; 
- Enable students to develop chemical IT skills through specific course subjects that specifically deal with computational chemistry and provide important information on database management; 
Ensure that students are knowledgeable about the fundamental aspects of the operational processes that follow the industrial design of chemical products and formulations; 
- Provide students with the means to operate independently in different industrial and professional contexts, holding key positions, as well as developing the ability to communicate results efficiently, including in foreign languages. 
The educational pathway is divided into four semesters. In the first two semesters, compulsory theoretical and laboratory courses are taught alongside specialised option courses in various subject areas. These courses are designed to enhance skills in the main subject of the chosen curriculum without neglecting other areas of study. 
During the third and fourth semesters, students can choose supplementary courses related to their field of study. These courses will allow them to specialise in strictly chemical subjects, as well as biochemical, geomineralogical and pharmacological subjects. 
Over the course of the four semesters, students will also be able to select course subjects of their own choice to hone their skills in the various application areas of the chemical sciences. 
The third and fourth semesters are characterised by extensive work on the experimental thesis conducted in university laboratories or at chemical companies. This effort is pivotal in completing the profile of graduates holding a Master’s degree in Chemistry.

Master’s degree in CHEMISTRY

The title grants access to all 3rd-cycle degree programmes (research doctorates as well as specialisation courses and 1st/2nd level masters) in accordance with the requirements established by the respective regulations

Senior Chemist and similar professions. The professional fields in which master’s graduates in Chemistry will be able to operate are those relating to: 
- fundamental and applied research activities in public or private laboratories, as an employee or freelance consultant; 
- analysis, control and quality certification activities in public or private laboratories, as an employee or freelance consultant. 
- educational and popular activities aimed at disseminating knowledge on chemical phenomena and their potential applications (e.g., journalism and publishing in the scientific field, including media and the web or collaboration with museums); 
- management activities relating to the drafting and economic management of national and international projects in the chemical field; 
- teaching activities in schools, once the teaching qualification process has been completed and the competitions required by current legislation have passed; 
- research and teaching activities in the university environment; 
- any other activities defined by current legislation in relation to the profession of chemist.

Graduates will have acquired: 
- ability to communicate fluently orally and in writing in Italian and English; 
- ability to present in a clear and orderly form the results and ideas of one’s work or group; 
- ability to use appropriate tools and skills for communicating and presenting data and information to both specialized and general audiences; 
- ability to understand and be understood by colleagues in the case of group work. 
Students acquire communication skills through seminars and lectures, but above all through exercises and workshops, where working in groups promotes contact among students themselves, with the teacher and with tutors. Communication skills will be developed, particularly in the preparation of thesis presentations. 
The acquisition of communication skills will be verified through oral tests, possible seminar activities and, above all, the thesis discussion.

Graduates will have acquired: 
- critical sense in evaluating experimental results, theoretical interpretations, research projects proposed or conducted by other groups, private communications, or literature data; 
- self-critical ability to evaluate experimental data, theoretical interpretations, and research projects. 
Students acquire a critical sense and autonomy of judgment through attendance at lectures, laboratory exercises, and, in particular, through the preparation of their experimental thesis, during which direct contact with teachers and tutors promotes discussion of the chemical issues addressed. 
The acquisition of autonomy of judgment will be verified in oral tests, but also through possible seminar activities, and above all, in the work related to the final test.

Graduates will have acquired: 
- ability to deepen one’s knowledge through independent studies; 
- ability to continuously update one’s knowledge in the field of chemistry and, in particular, in one’s field of work; 
- ability to acquire knowledge in fields outside of chemistry to apply chemical methodologies to them; 
- ability to find information on the development of new instrumentation and new production and analytical methodologies to be constantly updated; 
- ability to organize and manage a laboratory. 
Students acquire the ability to independently deepen their knowledge mainly through: attendance at lectures and exercises, individual study, bibliographic research and the preparation of seminars. 
The goal will be achieved primarily during the preparation of the degree thesis, which requires independently expanding the knowledge already acquired within the courses envisaged by the degree course. 
The test of abilities will take place during seminars and thesis-work discussions.

Generic Area
- In-depth knowledge of the experimental and theoretical foundations of chemistry and critical ability to understand the stability and reactivity phenomena of molecules, the reaction mechanisms of complex processes and composition-structure-property relationships; 
- knowledge and understanding of the operating methods of the most advanced instrumentation in use in chemical laboratories and of the calculation methods to be adopted for the simulation of the same chemical processes and events observed experimentally; 
- in-depth knowledge of the mathematical and computer tools to be adopted and used in view of the developments highlighted in the previous points; 
- deep understanding of the scientific method, the nature and modalities of chemistry research and the application of its methodologies in other fields. 
Students acquire the skills indicated by their attendance at teaching activities, including lectures, classroom
exercises, laboratory activities, the use of complex scientific instruments, and tutoring. 
The acquisition of knowledge and comprehension skills will be verified through written and/or oral verification tests for the individual courses.

Generic Area
- ability to identify the best approximation for describing the most complex chemical phenomena; 
- ability to develop the most adequate and simple descriptions of chemical phenomena; 
- ability to use complex numerical calculation methodologies; 
- ability to use information technologies for data processing; 
- ability to design and conduct one’s own experiments using modern instrumental installations; 
- ability to collaborate in national and international research fields; 
Students acquire the skills to develop and use complex methodologies through instruction that includes lectures, calculus exercises, and laboratory activities. 
The acquisition of knowledge and comprehension skills will be verified through written and/or oral verification tests for the individual courses.

Senior Chemist and similar professions
Master’s graduates in Chemistry must: 
- be able to organize a research and development activity and be able to manage theoretical and practical aspects of these activities, including the use of advanced instrumentation; 
- be able to direct basic and applied research laboratories at public or private facilities; 
- know how to develop new products and production processes in companies operating in the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, agri-food, and materials sectors; 
- be able to monitor production and quality control at the companies mentioned; 
- be able to carry out consultations and provide opinions on pure and applied chemistry; 
- know how to communicate topics with high scientific and technological expertise to an audience of experts in the chemical sectors, but also to the general public.

Senior chemist and related professions. 
Training in Chemistry will enable Master’s degree graduates to: 
- Conduct basic and applied chemical research or activities requiring the application of chemistry procedures and protocols; 
- Develop and certify new products, production processes and methodologies for chemical, environmental and certification analyses; 
- Carry out scientific and technological research activities at universities and public or private research organisations, possibly leading to a teaching staff position.

Senior Chemist and similar professions
The professional fields in which master’s graduates in Chemistry will be able to operate are those relating to: 
- fundamental and applied research activities in public or private laboratories, as an employee or freelance consultant; 
- quality analysis, control and certification activities in public or private laboratories, as an employee or freelance consultant; 
- educational and dissemination activities aimed at disseminating knowledge on chemical phenomena and their potential applications (e.g., journalism and publishing in the scientific field, including media and the web or collaboration with museums); 
- management activities relating to the drafting and economic management of national and international projects in the chemical sector; 
- teaching activities in the school, once the teaching qualification process has been completed and the competitions required by current legislation have passed; 
- research and teaching activities in the university environment; 
- any other activity defined by current legislation in relation to the profession of chemist.