Introductory description

Research questions in academia and industry generally require the development and integration of several analytical techniques. The aim of this module is to make students aware of these requirements. It is the culmination of the taught part of the course, and constitutes the ideal preparation for the research project and future careers in analytical laboratories. The practical work for this module involves team work to solve real analytical problems using multiple techniques and professional data analysis. Literature work will be required as the basis of method development.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Lecture: Principles for valid analytical measurements in academic and commercial environments

• Importance of analytical measurements
• Valid analytical measurement
• The VAM principles and their implementation. Tracking, sample preparation, use of appropriate equipment and glassware, primary standards and certified reference materials, data handling.
• Systematic steps in project design
• Problem formulation, method selection and development including sampling issues, method validation, data acquisition, evaluation, reporting
• Performance characteristics of analytical methods
• Robustness, accuracy, precision, bias, reproducibility, repeatability, uncertainties, limits of detections, limits of quantitation, selectivity and specificity
• Quality assurance and good laboratory practice (GLP), laboratory accreditation
• Legal regulations, auditing, performance testing exercises and collaborative studies, ISO implementation.

Case studies
Recognising and formulating problems, discussions in teams

Team projects
problem analysis, literature work, planning project work, method implementation, lab work, presentations and reporting

Presentations by external speakers from industry

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• An appreciation of the importance of analytical measurements, and of current analytical methodology
• the need for integration of several sophisticated analytical methods
• the importance of formulating the problem to be tackled
• practical details of sample preparation
• processing of complex data including the appropriate treatment of errors in analysis
• Research methodology: implementation of literature methods
• Data acquisition, handling and evaluation of data, scientific writing
• Laboratory skills in instrumental analytical ChemistrySafety in chemical laboratories

Research element

Team research project

Interdisciplinary

Cross-disciplinary team research project in analytical sciences

Subject specific skills

Subject knowledge and understanding:
An appreciation of the importance of analytical measurements, and of current analytical methodology

• the need for integration of several sophisticated analytical methods
• the importance of formulating the problem to be tackled
• practical details of sample preparation
• processing of complex data including the appropriate treatment of errors in analysis

Subject-Specific/Professional Skills:
Research methodology: implementation of literature methods
Laboratory skills in instrumental analytical Chemistry
Safety in chemical laboratories
Data acquisition, handling and evaluation of data, scientific writing

Transferable skills

Key Skills:
Written and oral communication
Teamworking
Interpretative skills
Ability to extract relevant information from various sources (books, journals, web resources) : Reading and interpretation
Implementing advanced methodology
Time management
Troubleshooting

Cognitive Skills:
Critical analysis; making decisions based on interpretation of literature information
Formulate and solve complex problems