Characterization and Analysis Methods for Problem Solving

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

This course is intended to deepen your understanding of less common analytical methods for characterizing materials (e.g., solids). It features several lectures on analytical characterization techniques such as Electron Microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Thermal Analysis, techniques for elemental analysis etc. that are not covered in depth in other courses in the Chemistry curriculum. 

The course also offers an industrial perspective, focusing on the demands for successful applications of analytical chemistry, which are quite different from those in an academic environment. Experts from various fields will be present, including: Art and Conservation, Food Chemistry/Safety, the Pharmaceutical Industry, and the Synthetic Polymer Industry. 

During this course, you are brought into contact with industrial analytical chemists. As part of completing this course, you will combine previous scientific knowledge for industrial problem-solving. 

Objectives

• Understand and explain the theory and practice of elemental analysis, thermal analysis, analytical microscopy, X-ray diffraction.
• Implement analytical concepts, methods or procedures in analytical application areas such as art and conservation, forensic research and pharmaceutical industry.
• Read, understand, summarize and present recent papers on elemental analysis, thermal analysis, analytical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and green chemistry.
• Understand, explain and rationally apply performance parameters of analytical methods.
• Design analytical solutions for problem-solving in the analytical application area.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Self-study
• Presentation/symposium

Learning activities

Attendance

This programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (TER part B).

Assessment

The final exam is closed book. 

Assignments

The assignment will be done in groups and will be graded.

Fraud and plagiarism

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

Course structure

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. A. Gargano

Staff

• prof. dr. Arian van Asten
• prof. dr. M.R. van Bommel
• prof. dr. K. Keune
• dr. R.F. Kranenburg
• Dr. H. Brust (WUR)
• prof. P. Ferguson (AZ)
• dr. F. Vanmeert (Rijks Museum)
• prof. R. Peters (Covestro)
• dr. B. Hollebrands (Unilever)