English TOLC-F syllabus

Introduction

The syllabi were created by a scientific committee of professors and researchers from the academic community who over time have dealt with access to the courses of study in the areas of pharmacy, chemistry, and pharmaceutical technology. The syllabus contains the knowledge required to take the entrance test. It should be an active and conscious “knowledge” linked to practical skills and the solution of problematic situations. In particular, for all topics indicated in the syllabi, it is important to have the ability to recognize and set problems, select the appropriate information, identify the most suitable tools, and, where necessary, schematize and represent data and situations.
The syllabi are deliberately limited to giving essential indications, as the purpose of the entrance tests is to allow an overall assessment of the knowledge of basic subjects of the different scientific disciplines and not to measure the student’s knowledge and skills analytically. If the test gives a student a negative result for a certain area, specific activities must be carried out in order to diagnose the deficiencies more precisely and identify the appropriate study strategies. These activities are necessary because, although it is true that in order to profitably follow the scientific degree courses it is not essential to know all the syllabi topics in advance, it is important that the student who does not know some (or many) of them is aware of this and can master them quickly.
Calculators of any kind are not permitted during the test; this does not mean that it is not important to be able to use calculation tools. In many university and work situations, it may be appropriate to use pocket calculators, spreadsheets, geometric software, and specific software for numerical and symbolic calculation or statistics.
It would therefore be a serious mistake for high school students to finalise all their preparation for the entrance test and limit their knowledge to the requirements contained in the syllabi.
The basis for the syllabi is the ministerial programs of these disciplines for high school students.

BIOLOGY syllabus

1. Chemical composition of living organisms
   Bioelements. Properties of water. Molecules and macromolecules of biological interest. The structure of glucosidic monomers, lipidic molecules, amino acids and nucleotides. Structure and functions of macromolecules: polysaccharides, nucleic acids and proteins. Properties of enzymes.

2. Elements of biodiversity
   Diversity and levels of organization of living things. Domains and kingdoms of living things. Bacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plants, Animals. Viruses.

3. Cell Biolog
   Cellular organization. Morpho-functional characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Main cellular constituents: cell membranes, cell walls, cytoplasm, mitochondria, plastids, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, nucleus, nucleolus.

4. Cell cycle, reproduction, heredity
   Cell reproduction: mitosis and meiosis. Chromosome complement. Reproduction and heredity. Vital cycles. Sexual and asexual reproduction. Mendelian genetics. Classical genetics: chromosomal theory of inheritance; sexual chromosomes. Molecular genetics: DNA and genes; genetic code and its translation; protein synthesis. The DNA of prokaryotes. The chromosome of eukaryotes. Human genetics: transmission of mono- and polygenic traits; hereditary diseases. Mutation.

5. Bioenergetics
   Energy flow and biological significance of photosynthesis, glycolysis, aerobic breathing and fermentation; autotrophic and heterotrophic metabolism. Ecosystem components. Trophic chains. Producers, consumers, decomposers. Interactions between species: competition, mutualism and parasitism.

6. Basics of human anatomy
   Anatomy of the human body: musculoskeletal system. Systems: digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, immune, endocrine, nervous, reproductive.

7. Basics of physiology
   Physiology of the human body: functions of support and movement, nutrition, breathing, circulation, excretion; immune, endocrine and nervous functions, reproductive function.
    

CHEMISTRY syllabus

1. The constitution of matter. The structure of the atom. The periodic system of the elements
   The structure of the atom: elementary particles; atomic number and mass number, isotopes, electronic structure of the atoms of the various elements.The periodic system of the elements: groups and periods; transition elements; periodic properties of the elements: atomic radius, ionization potential, electron affinity; metals and non-metals; relationships between electronic structures, position in the periodic system, and properties. Chemical bonds: ionic and covalent bonds; polarity of bonds; electronegativity.

2. The basics of general and inorganic chemistry. Inorganic compounds
   The basics of inorganic chemistry. Nomenclature and main properties of inorganic compounds: oxides, hydroxides, acids, salts; position in the periodic system.

3. Chemical reactions. Oxide-reduction
   Chemical reactions and stoichiometry: atomic and molecular weight, Avogadro number, mole concept, grams to moles conversion and vice versa, simple stoichiometric calculations, balance of simple reactions, various types of chemical reactions. Oxidation and reduction: number of oxidation, notion of oxidant and reducing agent.

4. Solutions. Acids and bases
   Solvent properties of water; solubility; main ways of expressing the concentration of solutions.  Acids and bases: concepts of acid and base; acidity, neutrality, basicity of aqueous solutions; pH.

5. Organic chemistry
   The basics of organic chemistry: the chemistry of living things; bonds between carbon atoms; rough, structural, and rational formulas; the concept of isomerism; aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons; functional groups: alcohols, ethers, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amides.