ATOMIC SPECTROSCOPY & RADIOANALYSIS - 2026/7

Module Overview

The purpose of this module is to give students an advanced understanding of elemental analysis, including detection and quantification of radionuclides. The student will enhance the knowledge and application of specialist topics in atomic spectroscopy and radionanalysis, including awareness of the operation of advanced modern instruments with particular attention to the principles, practical aspects, problem solving and troubleshooting, advanced applications and data analysis. Case scenario examples will be used to give students a broad understanding of how data are produced and interpreted. This module demonstrates the application of relevant techniques to a wide range of sectors such as environmental chemistry, geoscience, ecotoxicology and medical sciences.

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

FELIPE-SOTELO Monica (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 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Theme block 1, Principles of Radiochemistry: Origin of nuclear science; elementary particles; nuclei, nuclear structure and nuclear mass stability; radioactive decay, types, energy and properties; laws of radioactive decay, half-life and radioactive equilibria; nuclear reactions. Dosimetry and radiological protection; interaction of radiation with matter, concept of dose, units and regulatory limits; biological effects of radiation, stochastic and deterministic effects; biological half-life; principles of radiation protection.
Theme block 2, Radioanalysis: Detection and measurement of radioactivity; principles of detection; counting efficiency; types of detectors; instrumentation (gamma spectrometry and neutron activation, alpha spectrometry and LSC), primary standards, nuclear decay data. Statistics of radioactive decay; treatment of uncertainty. Radiochemical separations; sequestering of radionuclides, deposition, exchange and solvent extraction methods, sample preparation.
Theme block 3, Principles of Atomic Spectroscopy: Introduction to atomic absorption/emission/fluorescence spectroscopy; basic instrumentation, calibration, matrix-matching, flame and electrothermal (ETV or GF) devices, interferences, background correction, hydride generation, cold vapor.
Theme block 4, Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Advanced techniques based on atomic emission. Microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES); Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).
Theme block 5, Elemental Mass Spectrometry: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), principles, instrumentation, interferences and operation, system of sample introduction. Data analysis. Advanced technologies and applications (laser ablation; isotopic ratio and radionuclide analysis; single-particle and single-cell analysis).
Theme block 6, Speciation and Hyphenated techniques; Development and application of speciation techniques. Hyphenation of atomic spectroscopy with molecular mass spectrometry and chromatography. Applications to environmental speciation, biochemical investigation and drug discovery.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

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

• An understanding of fundamental principles, application and technology advancements in radioanalysis and atomic spectroscopy.

• Competence in performing data analysis.

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

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Evaluation of laboratory experimental reports (coursework, total 45%) - Learning outcomes 2, 3 4 & 5.

Assessment of the laboratory reports will enable the evaluation of the students¿ ability to prepare samples and standards; calibrate and operate analytical instrumentation for elemental analysis including quantification and identification of radioisotopes, Moreover, they will have to show their capacity to apply critical thinking in the evaluation of the results.

• Closed-book examinations (90min 20% and 120 min 35%) ¿ Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.

During the two closed-book exams, students will need to demonstrate their understanding of the fundamentals of atomic spectroscopy and radioanalysis as well as be able to complete calculations and demonstrate good knowledge of data handling.

Formative assessment will take place during pre-laboratory sessions, group activities during tutorial questions and student-academic interaction during the guided activities (data handling) in the workshops.

Feedback
All the students will receive individual written feedback on their coursework (laboratory reports). During the tutorials, students will be provided with more opportunities to improve their calculation and problem-solving skills by presenting a variety of numerical problems and case studies, and students will discuss their work in small groups and will receive feedback from lecturers.

Module aims

• To describe and evaluate the fundamentals of modern instrumental methods for atomic spectroscopy and radioanalysis, with particular emphasis on recent technological developments and applications.
• To further develop awareness of health and safety issues in the analytical laboratory, including principles of radiological protection.
• To enhance the students¿ practical skill in atomic spectroscopy and radionuclide analysis, including method development and troubleshooting.
• To develop student awareness of quality control in analytical chemistry.
• To improve student awareness of measurement, data handling, the use of statistics and calculations for quantitative analysis.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Develop theoretical knowledge of the fundamentals and operation of modern analytical instruments for radioanalysis and atomic spectroscopy.

• Provide hands-on experience in an analytical laboratory, including preparation of samples and standards, operation and calibration of the instruments.

• Encourage students to develop their self-evaluation skills by describing the main sources of error during the practical experiments, nurturing problem-solving skills and critical thinking.

• Understand and apply calculations in atomic spectroscopy and radioanalysis during the practical sessions. This is reinforced with the tutorial and workshops sessions during which the students have an opportunity to revise in small groups and receive formative feedback during guided activities.

The learning and teaching methods include:
Combination of lectures, practical sessions, tutorials and workshops. 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 tutorials the students will have the opportunity to work in small groups on calculations related to the lecture contents, 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: CHEM052

Other information

Surrey's Curriculum Framework 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: This module allows students to both develop skills and attitudes that enable individuals and organisation to be able to participate actively in society and professional life, within a digital, connected world. The module is designed to:

1. Generate new questions or address new challenges in analytical chemistry.

2. Understand how digital technology is changing practices in their discipline.

3. Use digital tools and media in ways that support personal development.

4. Make decisions and solve problems based on digital evidence.

This will be met by using digital methods such as software for data treatment (e.g. Excel, Origin) and Literature search using different journal database (e.g. Scopus, web of science or Google scholar).
Sustainability: Both during lectures and practical sessions the student will be exposed to diverse applications and encouraged to reflect on how analytical chemistry is can provide key information to solve environmental critical issues, The students will have to propose and discuss appropriate, informed, and responsible actions to promote solution and awareness about our environment. Moreover, the student will be encouraged to consider sustainable and green-chemistry practices during the development of analytical strategies, taking advance of the latest advancements in analytical instrumentation.
Employability: Students will acquire both theoretic knowledge and hands-on experience in a range of atomic spectroscopy and radioanalytical techniques. Coupled with the development of critical thinking, reasoning, decision-making, collaboration, leadership, and other transferable skills, the module allows students to acquire and practice attributes that will be attractive to employers in this field. This will be enhanced by participation in the modules of external lectures form industrial and research partner institutions, which will provide the student with a wider vision of the challenges and opportunities of the world of work.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: The assessment strategy, and indeed 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 investigator and analyst individually and collectively as a cohort, and latterly in smaller groups for their first assessment. Students will therefore 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 and show empathy towards each other in working towards achieving successful outcomes and responding to problem-based task requirements.

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.