Advanced Separation Sciences

Course manual 2026/2027

Course content

In this course, students will explore a selection of advanced separation techniques in greater depth than in the compulsory Separation Sciences course. The focus is on both the principles behind these methods and their application to real analytical problems where conventional approaches are not sufficient.

Techniques discussed will be:

• electrophoretic methods;

• field flow fractionation with multi-detection; 

• specialised LC separation modes like mixed mode chromatography, chiral separation;

• multidimensional liquid chromatography;

Study materials

Literature

• Will be made available on Canvas

Syllabus

• Will be made available on Canvas

Other

• Hand-outs, tutorials and review articles. The following books can be used as support to the learning:  Analytical Separation Science  https://doi.org/10.1039/9781837674824;

  Field-Flow Fractionation: Principles and Applications Print ISBN:9783527340682 |Online ISBN:9783527698073 |DOI:10.1002/9783527698073

Objectives

• The student can explain the scientific principles underlying specialised liquid separation modes, capillary electrophoresis, field‑flow fractionation and multidimensional chromatography.
• The student can compare the separation techniques covered in the course in terms of their underlying principles, performance characteristics and typical application domains including their complementarity.
• The student can select appropriate experimental parameters to optimise the performance of the separation techniques covered in the course for a given analytical problem.
• The student can design separation methods for realistic analytical problems using the techniques covered in the course, taking into account performance requirements, practical constraints, and suitability for the analytical context.
• The student can justify a preferred analytical strategy for a selected separation problem by critically evaluating and synthesising relevant primary literature and analytical evidence.
• The student can present and defend their chosen analytical strategy and methodological decisions in a clear, professional oral presentation, responding constructively to questions and alternative viewpoints from peers and staff.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Self-study
• Seminar
• Presentation/symposium
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Supervision/feedback meeting

Lectures introduce and deepen the theoretical principles of advanced separation techniques and their applications, providing the conceptual framework needed to understand, compare and design separation methods. They prepare students for the higher‑order cognitive ILOs that are assessed in the written exam and the Separation Science Challenge. 

Seminars focus on active problem solving, discussion of case studies and research papers, and small‑group design of analytical strategies. In this way students practise applying, analysing and evaluating knowledge, and receive feedback on their reasoning and argumentation.

Presentation (Separation Science Challenge)
Students integrate and apply course content to a realistic separation problem, critically evaluate and synthesise literature, and design and justify an analytical strategy. This activity trains higher‑order skills in analysis, evaluation, creation and scientific communication, which are assessed with the presentation rubric and contribute 20% to the final grade.

Learning activities

Attendance

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

Assessment

Assignments

Separation Science Challenge"

Group work to prepare a presentation on a scientific topic on the basis of the topic discussed in the course. The group designs and justifies an analytical strategy (one or a combination of techniques) and presents this in an oral presentation.

20 % of the final grade

Assessment and weight

• The assignment is assessed and counts for 20% of the final course grade.
• Assessment is based on a rubric (20 points total) covering:
  • definition of the analytical problem and requirements,
  • use and critical evaluation of literature,
  • choice and design of the analytical strategy and complementarity of techniques,
  • structure and clarity of the presentation,
  • delivery, defence and professional attitude during the presentation and discussion.

Feedback given after the presentation, including comments on content, argumentation and presentation skills, following the rubric criteria.

This assignment primarily assesses ILO 5 (critical evaluation of literature and justification of an analytical strategy) and ILO 6 (scientific presentation, defence and professional attitude).

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

Additional information

Prior knowledge: students should have taken the course 'Separation Sciences', or a similar course.

Contact information

Coordinator

dr. A Astefanei - coordinator 

Staff

• dr. A. Astefanei
• dr. A. Gargano
• K. Jooß
• dr. B.W.J. Pirok