the course aims to give to the student the basic knowledge about plant secondary metabolites, their classification with biosynthetic hints, and their physiological role. It will also provide with the knowledge for the development of extraction and isolation methods of secondary metabolites and their identification, through the study of various equipments used for laboratory and industrial extraction. Furthermore, the various chromatographic techniques used for the isolation of the different compounds in the extracts will be examined. An important part of the course is the laboratory exercises that allow students to put into practice the information learned and to acquire training in the use of some laboratory equipment. For the identification of secondary metabolites, the main spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques such as UV, IR, mass and 1D- and 2D-NMR will be explained. Some hints on hypenated techniques (GC-MS and LC-MS) will be provided. The students will be able to read and understand the content of scientific articles dealing with analytical chemistry studies on the bioactive components of aromatic and medicinal plants.