NPLK16003U Experimental Analytical Chemistry: Method Development and Quality Assurance
MSc Programme in Chemistry
The course topics include: An introduction to problem solving in analytical chemistry (method development and quality assurance). Guidelines for method development in analytical chemistry will be presented and discussed with special focus on chromatographic, spectroscopic and mass spectrometric methods. Experimental design for optimizing analytical methods. Guidelines for method validation and quality control at different stages of the analytical process will be presented, discussed and tested (e.g., precision, robustness, accuracy, limit of detection, limit of quantification). The main focus will be on an experimental project involving method development, validation, quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), data processing, data evaluation and documentation and scientific writing.
Excursions to relevant analytical chemistry departments in industry will be included when applicable.
The course objective is to introduce the participants to the
methods and techniques used to solve problems in analytical
chemistry: method development, quality assurance, quality control
as well as GLP and documentation. This background is useful for all
kinds of experimental analytical work including applications within
plant biology, environmental- food- and soil chemistry.
After completing the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge:
- Describe the theory and practice of method development, validation, quality assurance, GLP and documentation in analytical chemistry.
- Refer to the statistical theory behind QA for quantitative chemical analysis
Skills:
- Independently setup experiments, develop, validate and make documentation for an analytical method.
- Set up and apply a quality control system for an entire analytical method.
Competences:
- Develop, validate and apply analytical methods in different field of research.
- Evaluate and discuss analytical chemical quality data from the literature.
- Do problem solving in analytical chemistry: method development and QA/QC measures.
Details regarding literature will be available on Absalon.
Course teachers: Compendium for laboratory exercises and
handouts
Recommended reading prior to or concurrent with the course reading:
An analytical chemistry curriculum corresponding to a recent edition of Quantitative Chemical Analysis by Daniel C. Harris.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Theoretical and minor laboratory exercises: these will train the students to carry out QA/QC and to perform optimize analytical methods based on theory. Theoretical exercises and minor laboratory exercises are performed in groups of 2 to 4 students.
Laboratory project: The Laboratory projects represent the heart of the course. Here, the participants train aspects of method development, quality assurance and control as well as GLP and documentation for analytical work. The laboratory exercise comprises one project performed in groups of 2-4 students, the subject of which could be an experimental study related to the participants own master projects.
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 18
- Class Instruction
- 4
- Preparation
- 109
- Theory exercises
- 14
- Practical exercises
- 56
- Excursions
- 4
- Exam
- 1
- Total
- 206
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 30 minutes (no preparation time)
- Type of assessment details
- Oral examination based on project report and theory.
30 min oral examination per student divided into two parts: 1) examination in the written report, and 2) examination in the general method development and quality assurance.
Weight: The project examination 2/3, theoretical question 1/3. No preparation time before the oral examination - Exam registration requirements
The project report must be handed in before the oral examination. The student is required to attend the seminar where all results are presented and discussed.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- External censorship
- Re-exam
Oral examination based on project report (handed in the week before the week of exam) and theory.
30 min oral examination per student divided into two parts: 1) examination in the written report, and 2) examination in the general method development and quality assurance. No preparation time.
Weight: The project examination 2/3, theoretical question 1/3If the requirement "attending seminar" is not met, the project report will be extended and covering the seminar, too.
Criteria for exam assesment
See Learning Outcome
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NPLK16003U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 2
- Schedule
- C
- Course capacity
- 30
The number of places might be reduced if you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student.
Study board
- Study Board of Physics, Chemistry and Nanoscience
Contracting departments
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
- Department of Chemistry
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinators
- Jan H. Christensen (jch@plen.ku.dk)
- Peter Waaben Thulstrup (pwt@chem.ku.dk)