Chemistry

The lectures are aimed to provide to the students an educational path starting from the basic concepts of mass spectrometry up to its last developments and applications in the fields of analytical chemistry and biomolecules study. At the end of the course, the students have to demonstrate the knowledge of the theory and basic principles of mass spectrometry, as well as of the various ionization techniques and mass analyzers. Moreover, the students should have understood the potential of the coupling between liquid or gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, as well as tandem mass spectrometry, in particular concerning complex mixtures and compounds at trace levels. Furthermore, the students have to be able to extrapolate and describe the main data and information obtainable from a mass spectrum. Concerning the application of the knowledge, in case of a real problem, the students should possess the capability of select both the most suitable instrumentation and acquisition modes for the analysis of biological, environmental, and food samples. The capability of arguing the choice of possible analytical strategies is another important objective. Finally, self-study capability should be proven by gaining further insight into specific course topics with the aid of the scientific literature. The aims of the course are described in detail according to the five Dublin descriptors. Dublin Descriptor 1 – Knowledge and understanding At the end of the course, the students have learned the basic theoretical principles of mass spectrometry, as well as of the various ionization techniques and the main mass analyzers. The students have to know the theory of tandem mass spectrometry and understand the possibilities concerning both qualitative and quantitative determination. They have to understand the potential of the coupling of tandem mass spectrometry with separative techniques or the possibility of very fast “in situ” analyses. They have to recognize between information obtainable from low- and high-resolution mass spectrometry and to understand the concept of mass accuracy. Dublin Descriptor 2 - Applying knowledge and understanding The students have to acquire the capability of facing a complex analytical problem with the aid of mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry, for example for applications in environmental or food analysis. It is important also to take into account the related European law concerning the maximum allowable limits of certain substances depending on the limit of detection of the technique and its various acquisition modes. The students have to be able to select the most suitable ionization technique depending on target analytes and sample origin, also suggesting a possible coupling between mass spectrometry and a separation technique. Dublin Descriptor 3 - Making judgments The students have to develop the capability of critical evaluation concerning an analytical or general research problem, which requires the application of mass spectrometry, by connecting the knowledge acquired during the whole study course. This capability is developed by the aid of examples from the scientific literature, with particular emphasis on complex mixtures of compounds present at trace level and/or structurally unknown, and biomolecules (e.g. proteins and peptides). It is also important the capability of justifying the choice of the analytical strategy. Dublin Descriptor 4 – Communication skills The students have to be able to write in a report or verbally communicate the acquired knowledge, in a concise, coherent, and well-focalized way, also by the aid of graphic informatic tools, to be understandable by both specialized and non-specialized audience. Dublin Descriptor 5 – Learning skills At the end of the course, the students should have developed suitable tools to stimulate detailed studies and links between different topics. They should possess the skills to independently refer to the scientific literature related to mass spectrometry to deepen both some theoretical aspects and, most of all, application aspects. By referring to the scientific literature, the students have to be able to obtain the information to solve new problems, as well as to get the fundamental tools useful for their professional activity.