NPLK16003U Experimental Analytical Chemistry: Method Development and Quality Assurance

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Chemistry

Content

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.

Learning Outcome

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.
Literature

Details regarding literature will be available on Absalon.


Course teachers: Compendium for laboratory exercises and handouts

Prior experience from experimental and theoretical courses in analytical chemistry is strongly recommended, such as the course NPLB14027U Analytical Chemistry. It is assumed that participants have a fundamental understanding of sampling, sample preparation, different separation and detection methods (e.g. SPE, HPLC, GC, MS and hyphenated techniques). If in doubt, please contact one of the course coordinators before signing up.

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.
Lectures: The lectures will present the general theory for problem oriented analytical chemistry, experimental design, method development, quality assurance, method validation and scientific writing.

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
Written
Oral
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
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 1/3

If 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