6 EC
Semester 1, period 1
5112ESAC6Y
Analytical instruments are indispensable for modern society. Almost every chemical innovation in a product or material is accompanied by analytical confirmation of its composition, efficacy and safety, often followed by additional regulatory requirements. This course builds on concepts of generic molecular analysis from the first year and expands to encompass entire analytical workflows that are now essential for modern society.
First, analytical sciences and its central disciplines are introduced: separation, optical spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (where data is generated during analysis), as well as chemometrics (where data is converted into information). The student will learn about analytical workflows that combine these disciplines to translate a scientific question into useful information for society as well as study examples of their application.
Leaving the latter disciplines for later courses in the curriculum, this course will then cover separation sciences in great detail. Students will be introduced to the theory and practice of chromatography and electrophoresis. Parameters that govern effective use of separation technology will be discussed to allow the student to establish simple separations in practice. Students will also learn essential skills in extracting basic information from raw signals and statistically test its value. Students will bring their gained theoretical knowledge into practice in a lab practicum.
The course will also address contemporary applications of analytical techniques to various fields in society (e.g., food, medicine, environment, materials, art). Often, such methods are continuously improved to keep in pace with the cumulative needs of society to gain more knowledge. Students will do a case study in groups and investigate how the analytical workflow has developed over time for their case.
B.W.J. Pirok & P.J. Schoenmakers, 'Analytical Separation Sciences', 2025, Royal Society of Chemistry
Exercises during tutorials
Lab assignment manual
Microsoft Excel
The lectures will treat the fundamental concepts and the tutorials will allow students to practice with the newly gained knowledge. Students are encouraged to collaborate to further deepen their knowledge. Special lab assignments allow the students to bring their understanding to practice. The presentation seminar will allow students to teach each other about recent developments in the field of separation science.
|
Activiteit |
Uren |
|
|
Hoorcollege |
24 |
|
|
Practicum |
24 |
|
|
Presentatie |
8 |
|
|
Tentamen |
3 |
|
|
Vragenuur |
2 |
|
|
Werkcollege |
24 |
|
|
Zelfstudie |
85 |
|
|
Totaal |
168 |
(6 EC x 28 uur) |
Programme's requirements concerning attendance (OER-B):
Additional requirements for this course:
| Item and weight | Details |
|
Final grade | |
|
0.6 (60%) Tentamen | Must be ≥ 5, NAP if missing |
|
0.3 (30%) Lab Report | NAP if missing |
|
0.1 (10%) Literature Presentation | NAP if missing |
In the event that the lab report or the presentation is insufficient, a retake can be done by the group or student. The final exam has a scheduled resit. A minimum of a 5.0 is required for the Final Exam.
After grades are announced students may contact the course coordinator to inspect their exam.
Students must contact the course coordinator within one week of the grade being announced to inspect their exam.
During the course the students will conduct four lab assignments for which they - in groups of 4 - must write a report. This report is guided by a special template form, that must be used, and in which all questions can be answered. This assignment is graded and counts towards the final grade.
There are 8 lab sessions and a special scheme will be published on Canvas in the first week that shows which group must attend which session at what time. Students can self-assign themselves to the groups (see below).
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
Deadlines and lecture dates will be made available on the course slides of the first lecture.
Students will be able to self-assign themselves in the first week to groups for both the presentation and the lab assignments. Attendance to all four lab assignments is mandatory, students must take this into account when signing up for a group. Any potential overlap with other courses, or other absences must be taken into account by the student.