ADVANCED QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE SPECTROSCOPY WITH DATA ANALYSIS - 2026/7

Module Overview

This module is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of advanced spectroscopic techniques, both qualitatively, where such analysis is required and quantitatively. The quantitative aspect will be consolidated for students by using quantitative laboratory experiments to showcase how this can be achieved in a laboratory setting.
Student knowledge will be developed in specialist areas including advanced NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopies, not only in terms of underpinning theoretical principles, but also essential ¿hands-on¿ operation of advanced modern instruments. This practical aspect is intentionally designed for employment-ready graduates with particular attention given to problem solving and troubleshooting, advanced applications and data analysis. Selected case studies will highlight to students how to select appropriate methods of analysis, understand how the data is produced and how to interpret such data. Spectroscopic problems will be solved during workshops ensuring that students have the opportunity to work in collaboration with their peers. Such problem solving activities will embed knowledge and allow students to predict spectral features expected from known functional groups among other typical molecular features.
This module demonstrates the application of relevant techniques to a wide range of sectors such as pharmaceutical production, medical sciences, food technology, environmental chemistry, and geoscience.

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

ALKAYAL Anas (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

The module will include background and theory of standard and advanced techniques in NMR, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy with application to chemical, pharmaceutical, clinical, food, forensic and environmental industries.
Specific content will address:

• NMR - 1D (1H and 13C, DEPT) and understanding of coupling constant, Karplus equation, coupling in aromatic systems and long-range coupling. 2D-NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY spectra).

• UV-Vis Spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence lifetime measurements.

• IR and Raman spectroscopies (SERS, SORS, CARS etc) and applications to imaging.

• Data interpretation; qualitative analysis, quantitation, and structure elucidation.

Using relevant, real-world examples such as common pharmaceutical molecules, clinically relevant structures, and molecules of environmental interest, this module will contain both qualitative and quantitative applications of analytical spectroscopy.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to:
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

• Ability to predict spectral features of relevant molecules.

• Knowledge of spectral interpretation.

• Competence in a practical setting.

• Capacity for independent/critical thinking by means of coursework.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Coursework: Collect, interpret, critically analyse and present the experimental data related to attended laboratory sessions ¿ LO1, LO2, LO3

• In class test 1: Complete an in-class test covering the range of material related to NMR analysis discussed in lectures and workshops.  The in-class test will be designed to test knowledge understanding, applications and problem-solving using the material presented¿ LO1, LO4, LO5

• Examination: Complete an exam covering the range of material related to vibrational and electronic analysis discussed in lectures and workshops.  The exam will be designed to test knowledge understanding, applications and problem-solving using the material presented¿ LO1, LO4, LO5

To pass the module students are required to achieve a weighted aggregate mark of 50% in the coursework, class test and written examinations and obtain a pass in laboratory attendance.

In order to obtain a pass in the laboratory attendance, students must complete all of the following elements:

• Analytical laboratory notebook log (satisfactory completion of laboratory notebook).

• Lab Skills Assessment

Formative assessment: will take place during laboratory sessions, and student-academic interaction during the guided activities (spectral interpretation and data handling) in the workshops with the aim of allowing students to assess their progress week by week.
Feedback:
Feedback and feedforward on summative assignments will be provided via SurreyLearn. This will indicate what students did well, and how they can improve in the future and will relate both to issues specific to the module and to transferable skills. Formative feedback will be provided.

Module aims

• Provide a knowledge framework that enables students to select appropriate spectroscopic methods based on a critical understanding of key underlying principles.
• Empower students to act autonomously in planning and conducting spectroscopic analysis in a laboratory setting through the development of essential practical skills.
• Enable students to predict spectroscopic patterns associated with particular molecular structures.
• Ensure students can analyse real-world spectroscopic data to support qualitative (including structure elucidation) and quantitative conclusions.
• Facilitate students to critically review methods and studies conducted elsewhere to understand the validity of the data and how it supports the critical findings.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Equip students to develop fundamental and advanced theoretical knowledge skills, and critical thinking in relation to spectroscopic techniques, spectral prediction and interpretation through lectures, workshops, laboratory sessions, study examples, videos, active learning/discussion sessions, and self-study with online resources.

• Allow students to work individually and in teams to achieve analytical outcomes that mirror those common in industrial applications, building upon previously acquired skills.

• Maximise learning by encouraging students to actively engage in critical evaluation of information, and the application of theory to practice, to address challenges and solve problems faced by industrial scientists in a range of settings.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Combination of lectures, active seminar discussions, workshops, practical sessions and online resources. Students will be introduced to the theoretical principles, instrumentation, and applications during the lectures, while the practical sessions will enhance their Employability by giving them hands-on experience in an analytical laboratory. The laboratory sessions will provide opportunities to the students to develop their Resourcefulness & Resilience presenting them with different practical problems. During the practicals and workshops the students will have the opportunity to work in small groups on questions related to the lecture content, to develop critical thinking and encourage deeper knowledge by participating in problem-solving and role play exercises.

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: CHEM051

Other information

The school/department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:
Digital capabilities: the assessments ensure that students must engage with specialist Chemistry and scientific software or databases, or generic software such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint. All student¿s complete tests and exams that require them to manipulate digital objects, draw graphs, analyse data and search various databases.
Employability: This module allows students to develop their understanding of analytical chemistry as it applies to a range of different industries and purposes and allows students to acquire and practice attributes that will be attractive to employers in this field. During this module, students are equipped with knowledge on spectral problem solving and prediction of spectral features relating to a wide range of functional groups. Both are relevant to pharmaceutical and other sectors involved in analysis in the chemical industry. In addition, they are grounded in other quantitative and qualitative spectroscopies that facilitate the development of critical thinking, reasoning, decision-making, collaboration, leadership, and other transferable skills.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: The assessment strategy, and the in-class preparation that precedes it, is designed to challenge, and stretch student capabilities. It is also one where students are experiencing the roles and perspectives of analyst both individually and collectively as a cohort. Students will need to develop resourcefulness, be able to share ideas and experiences both individually and collectively, appreciate potential barriers and challenges faced by others, and provide support to each other in working towards achieving successful outcomes and responding to problem-based task requirements. Open-ended assessments, where the student is not fully informed of the way to answer the question or task will also help to build resourcefulness and resilience that they will need later in their working lives.
Sustainability: Students will develop their appreciation, understanding and critical thinking focused on the use of green solvents, novel analytical tools that shorten the time of the analysis and energy input minimization when conducting the analytical assessment.

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 2026/7 academic year.