KJE-2003 Introduction to analytical chemistry - 10 stp

The course will cover important theory and practical techniques for qualitative and quantitative work in a chemistry laboratory with emphasis on instrumental methods and relevant statistical methods for the treatment and evaluation of experimental data. An introduction to practical computational chemistry techniques will also be given.

The following topics will be covered: •

• Use of volumetric equipment •
• Gas, liquid and thin-layer chromatograpy •
• Extraction and isolation methodology •
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis •
• X-ray crystallography •
• Spectrophotometry •
• Infrared spectroscopy •
• Nuclear magnetic resonance •
• Mass spectrometry •
• Substance identification and analysis from complex mixtures •
• Introduction to practical computational chemistry •
• Analysis of environmental toxins •
• Laboratory safety •
• Scientific report writing

Knowledge

The student...

• will have knowledge of the importance of accurate volumetric measurements and relevant statistical analyses
• will understand the principles of chromatography and its practical applications towards quantitative and qualitative analysis (GC, LC, TLC)
• will understand the process of isolation, identification and quantification of single components from complex mixtures
• will be familiar with the principles, practice and applications of x-ray crystallography, including crystallization
• will understand the principles and applications of common spectrometric techniques (NMR, MS, UV/Vis and IR)
• will have knowledge of common classes of environmental toxins and the general process of analysis and quantification of these
• will have knowledge of common laboratory safety practices and the importance and practice of laboratory record keeping and report writing

Skills

The student will be able to...

• write concise professional reports on experimental findings
• assess safety issues associated with laboratory practice
• conduct experiments independently according to written procedures
• assess and discuss experimental results
• conduct and analyze simple computations of molecular chemical systems
• analyze data from the methods described above and apply the relevant statistical treatment
• evaluate and use relevant methods for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of specific problems in chemistry
• use extraction methods to isolate single components from more complex mixtures

Competence

The student...

• can apply his/her knowledge and skills developed in this course to solve a variety of practical chemical problems
• can accurately communicate chemical terms, theories and problems related to the methods covered in this course through written scientific reports
• can participate in advanced courses on the topics covered here  

Each lab experiment must be followed up by writing a scientific report. The overall course grade is Pass/Fail based on an evaluation of a compendium of all the reports.

Full participation in laboratory course and pre-lab lectures is required. Passed all laboratory reports and hand-ins.