TOPICS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY - 2020/1

Module code: CHE3046

Module Overview

Enhancing a knowledge and application of specialist topics in analytical chemistry including an awareness of the operation of advanced modern instruments with particular attention to the principles, practical aspects and problem solving/application aspects of advanced atomic spectroscopy, chromatography, electrochemistry and mass spectrometry.

Module provider

Chemistry

Module Leader

AL SID CHEIKH Maya (Chemistry)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 116

Lecture Hours: 25

Laboratory Hours: 3

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.  

Module content

Indicative content includes:



  • review of recent advances in modern analytical techniques; inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry; inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) - principles, instrumentation, interferences and operation, laser ablation, electrothermal vaporisation; speciation analysis using hyphenated-mass spectrometry techniques (applications for As and Hg speciation); instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA);


  • Electrochemistry – amperometric enzyme-based biosenors, methods and applications; surface sensor techniques (QCM and SPR); permselective membranes – small molecule speciation; nanoselective materials – large biomolecule speciation


  • review X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Statistics: application of calibration curves (including use of dilution factors), and


  • review of separation science (GC and HPLC); method development, optimisation, choice of method; preparative chromatography, SFC, counter-current, HILIC, chiral separations, role of HPLC/GC in pharmaceutical, biomedical and environmental analysis.



 

 

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Coursework COURSEWORK 30
Examination EXAM 1.5 HOURS 70

Alternative Assessment

Failure of the coursework unit of assessment will require the candidate to complete a data handling and publication coursework activity.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate sufficient theoretical and applied practical skills of the above.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • data handling and analytical publication (The Analyst) 30%

  • examination 70%.



 

Formative assessment

Commentary and feedback on coursework.

Feedback

Verbal throughout the data handling (coursework) session and subsequent written feedback on the submitted Excel data file and Analyst publication.

 

Module aims

  • To describe and evaluate the fundamentals of advanced instrumental methods, with particular emphasis on recent developments
  • To describe and evaluate the principles, instrumentation, problem solving and practical aspects of advanced atomic spectroscopy, chromatography, electrochemistry, ion beam analysis and mass spectrometry
  • To review and improve the students awareness of advanced quality control in analytical chemistry
  • To improve the students awareness of measurement, the use of statistics and calculations for quantitative analysis as used in research.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Understand and evaluate the relative usefulness of a range of analytical techniques, including advanced atomic spectroscopy, hyphenated techniques using mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS, HPLC-MS, GC-MS), electrochemistry (voltammetric and amperometric methods) and sensors, ion beam KCP
002 Critically evaluate the operation of modern instrumental techniques coupled with an appreciation of instrumental calibration, validation, KCP
003 Problem solving and data handling CP
004 Evaluate instrumental interferences and analytical figures of merit. KCP
005 Conceptually understand and evaluate the use of statistics (calculation of least squares line of best fit and dilution factors in quantitative analysis CP

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to build on skills gained in FHEQ 5:



  • develop a knowledge of the fundamentals and operation of advanced modern analytical instruments;


  • develop a practical approach to good laboratory practice and quality control in the research laboratory; and


  • enhance data handling, statistical analysis and analytical publication report writing (The Analyst).



The learning and teaching methods include:


  • individual data handling and analytical publication report (coursework);

  • instrumental operation and problem solving/applied resaerch  (chromatography, atomic spectroscopy, nuclear anallysis, and electrochemistry).



 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: CHE3046

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.