Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Offers hands-on experience with modern analytical chemistry techniques. Students learn to separate complex mixtures using gas and liquid chromatography and to identify and measure chemical species using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, fluorescence, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, electron microscopy, X-ray spectroscopy, and Raman and infrared spectroscopies.

COURSE DETAILS:

Please note, this course outline was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Mode of Teaching:

2 lecture hours/week; 1 tutorial hour/week; 4 laboratory hours/week
Lecture: In-person at Burnaby campus
Tutorial: In-person at Burnaby campus
Laboratory: In-person at Burnaby campus

Description/topics:

This course provides an in-depth introduction to the primary spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques currently in widespread use. A selection of laboratory assignments will augment theoretical concepts. The principles of signal generation by chemical species will be discussed in class. Discussions will also include the importance of optimizing all stages of an analysis, from sampling and sample preparation to signal detection and data analysis. Key learning objectives include decision making, formulation and testing of hypotheses, and critical thinking as they apply to the analysis of chemical species using a variety of instrumental techniques. The laboratory component of this course provides hands-on experience to develop a working knowledge of key techniques, which will be captured in regular laboratory reports.

Lecture Topics:

Instrument based identification of chemical species, such as using atomic spectroscopic techniques (e.g., AAS, AES, EDS, XRF, ICP, ICPMS) & molecular spectroscopic methods (e.g., UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence). Isolation of chemical species for qualitative and quantitative analyses will be pursued through chromatographic techniques (e.g., GC, HPLC, CE, SFC) and hyphenated techniques (e.g., LC-MS, GC-MS). Lectures will cover the principles of chemical species identification based on instrumental techniques, including separation theory as it applies to this analysis.

Laboratory Assignments:

Assignments will include gas chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy (AAS and AES), and molecular absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Prerequisite/corequisite: CHEM 210, 216, and 260, all with a minimum grade of C-, or permission of the department.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

A theoretical understanding coupled with hands-on experiences in the use of spectroscopic and chromatographic instrumentation and laboratory methods to identify and quantify a variety of chemical species.

Grading

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Required Materials:

• Each student must bring their own hard-bound laboratory notebook with numbered pages.
• Lab coats and safety glasses/goggles.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Lab coats and safety glasses/goggles are mandatory in Chemistry for all in-person laboratory sessions. Additional PPE and precautionary measures may be required during in-person laboratory sessions based on the recommendations of the University and provincial health officials.

REQUIRED READING:

RECOMMENDED READING: