Undergraduate - UnitCHM2922 - Spectroscopy and analytical chemistry

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

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

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Organisational Unit	School of Chemistry
Offered	Gippsland First semester 2014 (Day) Clayton Second semester 2014 (Day) Malaysia Second semester 2014 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Toby Bell (Clayton); Professor Sam Adeloju (Gippsland); Associate Professor Lim Yau Yan (Malaysia)

Synopsis

This unit covers the theory and instrumentation behind common physical and analytical instrumental techniques such as infra-red, Raman, UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence and atomic spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, chromatography and electroanalytical chemistry. A knowledge of the physical chemistry of gases and liquids is an important precursor to the understanding of chromatographic and electroanalytical chemistry. The application of these techniques in forensic analysis is examined using examples such as the detection of accelerants at arson scenes, drug detection in sport and identification of microsamples at crime scenes. Practical exercises will provide problem solving in physical and forensic analytical chemistry. A "Moot Court" team exercise and guest lecturers are an integral part of the subject.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

Comprehend concepts in instrumental analysis, including accuracy and precision, sensitivity, selectivity, detection limit and dynamic range;

Describe the principles and applications of spectroscopic techniques such as infra-red, Raman, UV/Visible absorption and fluorescence, and atomic mass spectrometry;

Demonstrate knowledge of electrochemical techniques for chemical analysis;

Distinguish the need for, and uses of, separation techniques such as gas and liquid chromatography;

Evaluate a range of instrumental methods and how different instruments operate;

Compare and contrast a number of case studies illustrating the many and varied uses of chemical instrumentation for solving analytical and forensic problems;

Use database searching and retrieval for compound identification;

Demonstrate expertise in the manipulation of chemicals, the use of chemical analysis techniques, risk assessment and the use of modern information technologies and data analysis;

Work in small groups and be competent in the written and oral presentation of scientific data, including in the context of a Moot-court scenario.

Assessment

Examination (2 hours): 40%
Mid semester test (1 hour): 20%
Computer test/Assignments: 10%
Laboratory reports: 30%
Students must achieve a pass mark in their laboratory work to achieve an overall pass grade.