Separation Sciences

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

The course comprises theory and practice of liquid and gas chromatography, and of capillary electrophoresis (LC, GC and CE), including the common detection principles used with these separation techniques.

The principles of LC, GC and CE (incl. stationary-phase properties, retention and migration mechanisms, dispersion, performance parameters) will discusses.  The characteristics and differences of packed-column and open-tubular separations will be outlined. Attention will be paid to instrumental aspects, such as pumps, valves and injection systems .

The various modes of LC, GC and CE will be discussed. The principles and application of gradient elution will be treated.

Other topics include an introduction to two-dimensional gas chromatography, sample preparation, and polymer separations.

As part of the course, students will give a short presentation on a scientific paper on separations.

Study materials

Literature

• - Book: B.W.J. Pirok & P.J. Schoenmakers, Analytical Separation Science, 2025, Royal Society of Chemistry, ISBN: 9781837671038, DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1039/9781837674824  

   

  - Where needed Pdf's of some reviews, notes, or book chapters will be provided.

   

Practical training material

•  

  - Handouts of lectures and tutorial exercises.

  - Course website with summaries of lectures and exercises.

Objectives

• The student is able to describe and explain the principles of the main separation and sample preparation techniques used in contemporary analytical science.
• The student is able to explain the theory, practice and application of modern liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and capillary electrophoresis.
• The student is able to determine and rationally apply performance parameters of separation methods.
• The student is able to read, understand, summarize and present the essence of a scientific paper on separation science.

Teaching methods

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

Learning activities

Attendance

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

Additional requirements for this course:

The literature presentation is a requirement. Without literature presentation no grade will be provided.

Assessment

- The written exam, short quizzes and presentation are graded.

- The grade of the written exam (E), average grade of the short quizzes (Q), and grade for the presentation (P) result in the final grade which equals 0.8*E + 0.1*Q + 0.1*P.

- If Q < E than final grade equals 0.9*E + 0.1*P.

- The grade for the written exam should be at least 5.0.

Inspection of assessed work

Contact the course coordinator to make an appointment for inspection.

Assignments

Pairs of students provide a short presentation on a scientific paper on separations. The presentation 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

• prof. dr. Govert Somsen

Docenten

Dr. Bob Pirok (BP)

Prof. Peter Schoenmakers (PS)

Prof. Govert Somsen (GS)