Undergraduate - UnitCHM3952 - Advanced analytical chemistry

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Synopsis

Advances in analytical science will involve the development and exploitation of advanced mass spectrometric, molecular spectroscopic and separation techniques. This unit concentrates on these approaches, and provides examples of how they can be applied in areas such as forensic and environmental science, genomics and forensic imaging. The remainder of the unit covers the use of spectroscopic, radiometric, separation and particle characterization techniques in automated monitoring and process analysis in a variety of industrial, clinical and environmental applications. Aspects of instrumentation, data processing and chemometrics will be emphasised in each analytical technique discussed.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will have developed an understanding of the principles of analytical instrumentation, simulation and data processing and interpretation using chemometric techniques such as multivariate analysis; have developed both an understanding of the fundamentals of mass spectrometry and the skills for interpretation of mass spectra for structural elucidation and fingerprinting purposes; will be able to describe the principles and applications of atomic emission spectrometry; will be able to detail the principles and applications of micro/nano-scale analysis using surface and X-ray spectroscopic techniques, will have an understanding of different techniques and applications of separation science, will have an understanding of the principles of flow analysis and its use in hyphenated analytical techniques, will have gained an understanding of how these techniques can be applied in forensic and environmental science, and will have developed practical competencies in analytical measurements involving chromatographic/other separations, flow analysis techniques, and quantitative molecular and atomic spectroscopy.

Assessment

One 3-hour examination: 60%
Assignments and computer testing: 10%
Laboratory work and laboratory reports: 30%
Students must achieve a pass mark in their laboratory work to achieve and overall pass grade.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Kellie Tuck

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures, one 1-hour tutorial and the equivalent of 3 hours laboratory activity per week

Prerequisites

CHM2911 and CHM2922. Students without these should consult the third year coordinator.