NPLK13003U Advanced Analytical Chemistry - Sampling and Sample Preparation

Volume 2026/2027
Education

MSc Programme in Biotechnology 
MSc Programme in Chemistry 
MSc Programme in Environmental Science

Content

Sampling and sample preparation is a cornerstone in performing sound experiments, and thus essential to any kind of analytical chemistry project: the results obtained will never be better than the samples injected.

The course starts with an introduction to Pierre Gy’s Theory of Sampling (ToS), which tells how to obtain a representative sample without systematic errors and with an acceptable uncertainty.  The practice and tools for taking the samples and reduce the sample mass in a representative way is treated based on ToS.  Solid, liquid and gaseous materials are addressed.

The final part of the course focuses on sample preparation techniques for extraction, purification and pre-concentration of samples prior to analysis by modern analytical instruments such as GC and, HPLC. It covers sampling and preparation of gases, liquids, and solids, including both active and passive air sampling (e.g., adsorbents, denuders, traps, filters), liquid-phase techniques (e.g., LLE, SPE, SPME, SBSE, SLE), and extraction methods for solids (e.g., shaking, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, PLE, SFE). The emphasis is on sample preparation of organic analytes.

The theory is supplemented with computer simulations, laboratory experiments, a field exercise and expert guest-lectures of selected topics.

Learning Outcome

This course enables the student to plan and perform sampling and sample preparation, including sampling strategy, determination of number of samples and sample size, sample selection, sampling techniques and tools, and methods for sample preparation for organic analytes. The methods include extraction, filtering, purification and pre-concentration such as SPME, SBSE, PLE, SLE for common instrumental analytical methods.

 

Knowledge:

Describe the theory and principles for representative sampling.

Describe the theory for active and passive sampling.

Describe the fundamental principles of sample preparation methods with a focus on organic analytes.

 

Skills:

Plan sampling experiments and analyse the results in terms of sampling variance.

Predict sampling variance using Gy’s formula for simple matrices.

Plan sample preparation including selection of tools, techniques and how to optimize sample preparation procedure for organic analytes.

 

Competences:

Plan and perform sampling pilot experiments and real sampling for chemical analysis.

Describe, develop and apply sample preparation methods for instrumental analysis of organic compounds.

Evaluate and discuss the scientific literature within sampling and sample preparation and understanding of method optimization results.

Notes and selected peer-reviewed papers will be used extensively. 

Textbook: "Handbook of Sample Preparation" ed. Janusz Pawliszyn & Heather L. Lord (Available on Rex) 

The course NPLB14027U Analytical Chemistry or equivalent is a requirement. Knowledge of basic statistics is also recommended.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Lectures, student presentations of curriculum, expert lectures and field trip, theoretical and practical group work, computer simulations using excel.
For further information feel free to contact Jan H Christensen, jch@plen.ku.dk
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 26
  • Class Instruction
  • 12
  • Preparation
  • 106
  • Theory exercises
  • 20
  • Practical exercises
  • 12
  • Excursions
  • 10
  • Exam
  • 20
  • Total
  • 206
Written
Oral
Individual
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 30 minutes without preparation
Type of assessment details
The oral exam takes place after the sample preparation part of the course.
Examination prerequisites

Student presentation of curriculum, participation in laboratory exercises and handing in reports are mandatory. Active participation in a minimum of 75% of these activities is required.

Aid
No aids allowed

No aids allowed for the oral exam. 

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal examiner
Re-exam

Same as the ordinary exam.

Students who do not fulfil the exam registration requirement prior to the ordinary exam, have to follow the course the following study year.

Criteria for exam assesment

According to the learning outcome.