module specification

This module will develop problem solving and report writing skills in qualitative analytical chemistry and will enable students to identify analytical substrates on the basis of combined analytical results from a variety of sources.

CY4001 and CY4002

Semester 1
Qualitative analysis of materials:
Principles and terminology of analysis: qualitative and quantitative techniques, absolute and empirical methods, sampling, sample treatments, standards, calibration techniques.
Separation Methods:  analytical and preparative chromatographic techniques: theoretical models of chromatographic separation - Plate Theory, HETP, the van Deemter equation and modifications. Instrumentation for gas chromatography- injectors, column packings, detectors; quantitative applications. Instrumentation for High Performance Liquid Chromatography: pumps; sample introduction valves; column packing; broad band and specific detectors; quantitative applications. Recent developments in chromatographic systems - chiral chromatography, capillary chromatography, gel filtration.  Developments in Flow cytometry. Electrophoresis. Ultracentrifugation as a separation technique for fractionation of cells and lipoproteins LO1,LO2,LO3

Electroanalytical techniques: potentiometric and conductimetric titrations; analytical potentiometry - the Nernst equation, electrodes of the first and second kinds, Ion-sensitive electrodes, membrane systems, pH electrodes, examples of cation and anion sensitive systems, enzyme sensors. brief description of diodes, transistors and field effect transitors (FETs), ion-sensitive FETs (ISFETs).
Imunoassay techniques: radioimmunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, competitive immunoassay. LO4

Semester 2
Qualitative analysis of materials:
Application of nuclear magnetic spectroscopy to structural identification of simple organic molecules. Origin, measurement and structural implications of chemical shift, peak area and coupling. LO5,LO6

Application of mass spectrometry to structural identification of simple organic molecules. Fragmentation energies and simple fragmentation patterns, isotope patterns.
Introduction of infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy to provide information of chemical composition of simple structures.

Identification of the development of transferable skills for employment in scientific environments. Professional issues: career opportunities; professional qualifications; production and maintenance of personal profile and curriculum vitae. LO7

Teaching and learning sessions include lectures/workshops (36 h), tutorials (16 h), practical (8 h) with feedback where appropriate. Tutorials have an emphasis on problem solving based on pre-set work with student participation. Students will be expected to prepare in advance for tutorials to develop problem-solving skills using worksheets provided. Feedback from these sessions facilitates the learning process. Self-managed time and private study (222 hours) should be spread out over the semester and not left until the final weeks. Lectures are used to set context and to deliver subject material, and are linked to tutorials, practicals and problem sessions. Students will be expected to reflect on the learning experience and develop their own understanding of the material.

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:
1. Describe the steps involved in a chemical analysis;
2. Outline the theoretical basis for selected analytical techniques and describe the instrumentation required
3. Use instrumental data to calculate the concentration of analyte in a specified sample
4. Evaluate any errors arising from a determination and assess the reliability of the results obtained;
5. Understand the basic principles and theory behind NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy;
6. Analyse spectroscopic data to predict the chemical structure of a compound;
7. Use the preparation of a portfolio to reflect on their employability and personal development.

The module will be assessed by a mix of time-constrained assessments of varying length, and a practical report.

There will be two short-answer progress tests one of 30 min duration (10%) - this will assess the ability of students to perform appropriate calculations and to describe accurately the principles of the analytical methods and to assess understanding of the principles of chromatography.  This element will provide both summative and formative assessment. The second of 1 h duration (25%) will examine the students’ understanding of UV/Visible spectrometry and electrochemistry as well as their grasp of the principles of analysis and ability to use results to calculate levels of the analyte in samples appropriately. This element will provide both summative and formative assessment.

The coursework component will require completing the practical session and reporting the results in the style of a Journal article, which will also develop communication skills and engaging with the literature (15%).

The qualitative spectroscopy will be assessed by a series of interpretation exercises involving the use of IR, MS and NMR spectra to predict the chemical structure of unknown compounds (15%). This will provide both formative and summative feedback.

The principal summative component will be the end-of-module exam (1 1/2 h, 25%) which will provide assessment of the ability to describe relevant analytical methods accurately, perform appropriate calculations, draw appropriate conclusions from data and communicate this clearly. This assessment will focus on material presented from week 15 onwards.

To pass the module, students need to achieve a minimum aggregate mark of 40%.  There will be an attendance requirement for the practical sessions. If the module is passed on reassessment, then the maximum mark awarded will be 40%.

Assignment                                                Learning Outcomes
1. Progress Test 1                                            1, 2, 4
2. Practical Report                                         2, 4, 6
3. Progress Test 2                                           1,2, 3, 4
4. Spectroscopic assignments                      3, 5
5. Personal Profile                                          7
6. Exam                                                             2, 3, 4, 5, 6

A minimum aggregate mark of 40% will be required to pass the module. If the module is passed on reassessment, then the maximum mark awarded will be 40%.

Core Text: Harris, DC. (2010) Quantitative Chemical Analysis, 8th Edn. Freeman
Other Texts:
Holme, DJ., and Peck, H. (1998) Analytical Biochemistry, 3rd Edn., Longman
Skoog, DA., Crouch, SR., and Holler, FJ. (2006) Principles of Instrumental Analysis,6th Edn , Brooks/Cole
Core Text: Williams, D. H., and Fleming, I. (2007) Spectroscopic Methods in Organic Chemistry, 6th Edn, Magraw Hill.
Other Texts:
Anderson,R. J., Bendell, D. J. and Groundwater, P. W.  (2004) Organic Spectroscopic Analysis, RSC.
Duckett, S., Gilbert, B. (2000) Foundations of Spectroscopy, Oxford Chemistry Primers 78, OUP.
Hollas, J. M. (2003) Modern Spectroscopy, 4th Edn, John Wiley & Sons.