Green Chemistry - a.y. 24/25

The degree in Green Chemistry offered by the University of Eastern Piedmont intends to articulate the theoretical, practical, experimental, methodological and applicative knowledge of Chemistry according to the 12 universally recognised principles of 'Green Chemistry'.

Chemistry has played a crucial role in the progress of humanity through the study and development of molecules, compounds, materials and the development of methods of analysis. Human progress, well-being and energy production are aspects in which Chemistry is a fundamental and irreplaceable discipline. The growth model has followed a criterion that pays little attention to the finiteness of planetary resources, to the consideration of the effects of emissions and to the management of waste and end-of-life goods. The myth of chemistry as a destructive agent is therefore false. Chemistry can lead change, which must be implemented urgently, as a key science of the green transition that will guide economic and industrial choices in the most varied production sectors at a global level in tackling the objectives of the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Green Chemistry will lead an environmental revolution through reduction of energy use and environmental impact of processes and products, the substitute use of raw materials and chemicals with low environmental impact and/or of natural derivation alternatives, the reduction of waste, the exploitation of waste and by-products, and the study of circular economy processes.

A recent Federchimica report, 'Situation and prospects for the chemical industry' of December 2020, identifies chemistry, with its innovative potential, as the key science in the transition towards environmental sustainability and as a pillar in the development of strategies for a sustainable future.

In Italy, chemistry is the leading industrial sector by share of environmental patents (40% of total).

The development of the sector will be driven by the research and application of technologies of emerging importance in the scenario of the Green New Deal, such as renewable sources for energy and raw materials, industrial biotechnologies, chemical recycling, waste chemistry, commitment to the sustainable and circular design of products, to the development of innovative technologies for the energy efficiency of buildings, for eco-sustainable mobility, for the capture, storage and reuse of CO2 and for clean hydrogen.

The analysis of the employment scenario is particularly promising: a May 2020 study by Unioncamere with Green Factor highlights the need for knowledge related to environmental sustainability (in 2019, 78.8% of Italian companies requested green skills applying for 83.1% of these requirements to graduates) and the relevance of the figure of the Green Chemist, who is among the 5 new green professional figures required by companies.

Once again, Federchimica underlines how Chemistry is a growing sector (over 6,000 new jobs in the last 4 years), a great opportunity for young people who represent 20% of the labour market and for graduates, who are a quarter of those employed in the sector. The vast majority (95%) of employment contracts are open-ended, with wages 42% higher than the Italian average.

The territorial context of reference of the course presents very important opportunities and potential, thanks to the Buzzi Unicem Research Centre on innovative cementitious materials inside the campus that hosts the degree course, and from the vicinity of first-rate companies in the sector of chemicals from renewable sources such as Novamont (Novara) and Eni (Novara and Crescentino VC).

A Green Chemistry graduate can work in the fields of:

• management of chemical processes and plants, in particular aimed at the use of renewable and/or secondary raw materials deriving from circular processes and the reduction of energy use and environmental impact of the production cycle, energy transformation and treatment of air, water and soil
• management of chemical issues within bio(technological) processes for the production of new substances (bio-based chemicals, biofuels, bioplastics) and for the treatment of civil and industrial effluents and mitigation of the impact and diffusion of polluting and dangerous substances
• research activities in public sector and industry laboratories for the development and application of the principles of green chemistry, and the analysis of energy and environmental impact towards new products, new chemical processes for energy production and transformation, salvaging and exploitation of waste
• activities in analysis and quality control laboratories, both public and private
• professional activity of monitoring and consultancy in the sectors of the environment, health, materials, energy
• freelance (junior chemist – section B of the Professional Register), after passing the state exam.

Graduates will be able to continue their studies with a Master's degree course or enrol in an advanced training course, compatibly with admission requirements.

In this section you can find:

• Teaching programmes

Study plans

General information on study plans and filling out study plans online

• Full-time
• Part-time - 4 years
• Part-time - 6 years

Teaching regulations

• Teaching regulations

Archive

• Archive Programmes, Study Plans and Teaching Regulations

The information on enrolment and registration for this course will help you understand what to do.

The initial level of preparation is assessed through a compulsory test in which all students who enrol on the course must participate. Failure of the test does not preclude the possibility of enrolment; at the same time, a positive outcome does not give the right to credits. Students who do not pass or do not take the test are assigned additional educational requirements to be fulfilled before taking the exams and in any case within the first year of the course. Those who have not fulfilled their educational requirements at the end of the first year will not be able to take exams. The material to prepare students for the initial skills assessment test is available online via the DIR platform. The test consists of an online test with 10 questions relating to understanding and use of scientific language, 10 questions relating to representations, notations and basic concepts of mathematics and (subsequently) a short test of computer skills. To pass the test, it is necessary to obtain at least 50% of the points in each of the two areas. The computer science test requires only approval of eligibility. Any area in which this threshold is not passed will lead to specific additional training requirements. Remedial courses for the aforesaid skills are activated. The presentation of a self-declaration or a certification certifying the passing of a similar admissions test in another University can be evaluated on-site as to whether it can be accepted in lieu of the test.
More information on the initial assessment test.

English Placement Test

All students who do not possess an English language proficiency certificate are required to take the English Placement Test, a computerised test by Oxford University Press used to determine the level of English language proficiency of incoming students.

The test aims to verify the level of knowledge of the English language. A level equal to A1 or A2 involves attendance of the basic course (20 hours) which offers useful preparation for access to English language teaching (50 hours).

The test does not replace the English language exam, which must in any case be taken according to one's study plan and indications provided by the degree programme.

Lab activity

To access the practical laboratory activities envisaged as part of the bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, all students must have completed the entire training course on Health and Safety in the Workplace (MEDIUM RISK). Training must be completed before entering the first lab.

The laboratory courses are compulsory and it is necessary to attend at least 90% of the session hours in order to be admitted to the exam.

Student representatives are part of the governing bodies of the Department and the University; they are an important component which helps to direct all its activities.

The office of the student representatives in Vercelli is located in room B3 at the Ex-Ospedaletto, viale Garibaldi 98.

• Student Rapresentatives

• If you are looking for information on lecturers and office hours: UPObook
• If you want to contact the Student Secretariat: UPOrisponde
• If you want to speak directly with the Secretariat (in case of particularly complex issues): UPOriceve
• If you need services to support students with disabilities/DSA: UPOrisponde
• If you are looking for information on job orientation, internships/internships and job placement: jobplacement@uniupo.it

A complete list of useful contacts can be found here.

During the registration period, the servizio PIM.

The sportello “S.O.S.T.A.” Servizio Orientamento e Servizio Tutorato di Ateneo is a peer-to-peer service for the reception and support of students, implemented with the collaboration of university students.

The University of Eastern Piedmont offers a wide range of possibilities for trips abroad.
Students can enrol on a degree course that offers a double degree: one from Italy and one from the country where they go to study. Alternatively, it is possible to choose to spend a period abroad with the classic Erasmus+ programme, both to follow courses (Erasmus for study purposes) and to carry out an internship (Erasmus for traineeship purposes). Some students prefer the Free Mover mobility scheme or choose even more flexible programmes, making use of international scholarships.

In particular, the Erasmus and International Students Office deals with the relations between students (both outgoing and incoming) and the internationalisation supervisors at partner universities. This support is highly reflected not only in the Erasmus+ call for study purposes, but also extends to mobility for traineeship purposes, especially through support in finding a place to work (to this end, on the University website, a list of predefined internships and websites useful for finding a host institution is constantly updated).
In order to further facilitate outgoing students, we try to put them in contact with students who have already had an international mobility experience and/or with incoming international students, so that there can be an exchange of information from a practical organisational point of view. A useful tool that has been in place for some years now in all departments is the Erasmus WIKI, a web page where students can find useful information to organise their stay abroad. Individual pages have been created for each destination, which are updated from time to time by students returning to Italy.
The Erasmus and International Students Office also deals with the distribution of EU and ministerial funds, calculating due scholarship funds, and preparing financial records for all the types of mobility listed above.

As far as international mobility agreements are concerned, it should be noted that there are currently more than 150 inter-institutional agreements in force (and others are still being renewed), 13 international cooperation agreements in Europe and 9 international cooperation agreements in non-EU areas.
As regards incoming students, the Erasmus and International Students Office offers support and assistance to students during the application phase, providing them with contact details of the Student Services, Careers Guidance, and Job Placement Offices, in order to receive information on available accommodation in university residences and the calendar of teaching activities.

Furthermore, the Erasmus and International Students Office also continues to collaborate with the ESN Piemonte Orientale association regarding the organisation of events intended to promote international mobility, such as the Linguistic Tandem, the Welcome Days and the Erasmus Days (held in October each year).
 

The Internationalisation Office of the university activates and manages international agreements and partnerships not envisaged in the context of Erasmus mobility. These agreements fall within the scope of international teaching activities.

To date, 33 international agreements and 8 development cooperation agreements are active.
 

The teaching quality assurance is related to the University quality policies and is implemented and monitored on the course to guarantee ongoing improvement. At course level, quality assurance is overseen by the Quality Team and Review Group.

• Composition of the Quality Team and Review Group

The documents relating to the quality of the CdS can be found in the appropriate section.