Spring 2025 - CHEM 317 LA01
Analytical Environmental Chemistry (2)
Class Number: 3664
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
-
Instructor:
Byron Gates
bgates@sfu.ca
778-782-8066
Office: SCC9026
-
Prerequisites:
CHEM 316 with a minimum grade of C-.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Principles and applications of the methodologies of analytical chemistry employed in the determination of substances in air, water, soil and plants, with particular emphasis upon sampling and sample preparation. Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
Please note, this course outline was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change.
Mode of Teaching:
4 laboratory hours/week
Laboratory: In-person at Burnaby campus
Description/topics:
The course consists of environmental and analytical focused projects that are conducted independently by the students in the course. The students will skills in sample preparation, analytical instrumentation, and data analysis learned from previous courses in the process of completing the projects. Important aspects of this process are to apply and integrate these skills, as well as to learn new skills to standardized protocols for obtaining reliable analyses of samples such as those related to environmental monitoring, as well as to ensuring food safety and quality control of a variety of products. One goal of the course is to further develop independent decision making and problem solving for each student, while implementing standard protocols on representative samples. The course will include informal discussions, as well as formal feedback to each student.
Potential Topics:
The implementation of standardized analytical protocols for use of an instrument-based identification of chemical species, such as using atomic spectroscopic techniques (e.g., AAS, AES, EDS, XRF, ICP, ICPMS) & molecular spectroscopic techniques (e.g., UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence, Raman, FTIR). Sample preparation require the isolation of chemical species for qualitative and quantitative analyses using chromatographic techniques (e.g., GC, HPLC) and hyphenated techniques (e.g., LC-MS, GC-MS). Laboratory experiments will be based on learning to apply established protocols to the analysis of samples.
Laboratory Assignments:Experiments may include the use of gas chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy (AAS and AES), molecular absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and similar techniques. In addition, more specialized techniques may be implemented to analyze the headspace or volatile fractions of a sample, as well as to perform sample preparation by specialized extraction methods.
Prerequisite/corequisite: CHEM 316 with a minimum grade of C-, or permission of the department.
Grading
- Pre-lab assignments 20%
- Laboratory marks (e.g., notebooks, timeliness, cleanliness, performance in the laboratory) 50%
- Laboratory Reports 30%
NOTES:
Attendance of In-Person Laboratory Sessions: It is mandatory for students to attend all in-person laboratory sessions. If you are unable to attend an in-person laboratory session due to illness, please contact your lab instructor as soon as possible to discuss alternative arrangements.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
- Each student must bring their own hard bound laboratory notebook with numbered pages.
- Lab coats and safety glasses/goggles.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Skoog, West Holler & Crouch. Principles of Instrumental Analysis. 7th Edition. 2017. Publisher: Brooks/Cole.
Electronic version recommended. Available from Cengage Learning.
ISBN: 9781305577213
Principles of Instrumental Analysis, Skoog, Holler & Crouch, Custom Edition, or any other edition.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
A grade of C- or better is required for all prerequisite courses.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.