Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit addresses three vital theoretical and practical elements of analytical chemistry: quality assurance in a chemical laboratory; principles of chemical sampling; common instrumental techniques. It is a generic unit designed to address the needs and skills of students enrolled in the Chemistry major as well as other majors such as Forensic Science and double degrees in with the Chemistry major. The unit builds on the analytical chemistry concepts introduced in SCB131 Experimental Chemistry.

Aims

To provide students with principles of analytical chemistry, including some common instrumental techniques, which are firmly linked to the theory and practice of the discipline in a modern, working laboratory.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, you should:

1. Understand the significance of analytical chemistry in the local and international communities and appreciate the central role of quality assurance in the operations of an analytical laboratory.
2. Understand sampling strategy concepts, sampling methods and sample pretreatment.
3. Achieve a sound knowledge of the basic theory of several common, important instrumental techniques, the instrumentation, and analytical data interpretation.
4. Have a substantial laboratory-based experience in applying the analytical methods above and to be able to work as a member of a team in order to complete laboratory tasks.
5. Have a substantial hands-on experience of statistical interpretation of analytical data.

Content

1. Quality Assurance: Introduction to QA in an analytical chemistry laboratory, international QA standards, analytical methods and method accreditation, sample traceability, calibration and standards.

2. Sampling: analytical chemistry project planning, samples and sampling, sampling strategies, methods of sampling, sample preparation for analysis.

3. Instrumental Techniques:
(a) Spectroscopic techniques: review of the origins of spectra, basic instrumentation, experimental parameters; method calibrations, error estimation from the calibration plot; applications in UV-visible spectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR/NIR) [qualitative aspects only]; introductory atomic spectrometry; flame and plasma emission, flame and graphite furnace absorption.
(b) Chromatography: Principles of chromatography; GC, IC, TLC and HPLC fundamentals, basic instrumentation, qualitative and quantitative interpretation and applications.

Practical Sessions: The above program is complemented by practical sessions. Students will benefit from practical experience in the three focussed areas of QA, sample preparation and instrumental techniques, with several hands-on practicals pertaining specifically to the principal instrumental techniques identified in (a) and (b) above. The practicals will also provide you with an appreciation of the impact of chemical substances on society and environment as well as their correct handling and disposal procedures.

This unit fosters problem solving attitudes and skills; it requires information gathering, and organisation; it develops written communication (report writing), time management and technical literacy, and insists on accuracy and ethical standards; it requires acceptance of personal responsibility, independent thinking and working, yet it encourages team work.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Twenty-six hours of lectures are supported by recommended reading from selected material from texts. Practicals (6 hours) and laboratory practicals (9 x 2-3 hours) provide the main avenues for development of theoretical and practical skills, as well as continuous feedback.

Assessment

Participation in practical exercises is obligatory. You are regularly required to submit written reports on practical exercises. Such reports will be assessed and returned to you within the semester. The feedback from the reports will help you to identify your progress and facilitate your skills development.Feedback provision will be both verbal and written and additional feedback consultation will be available on request from the Unit Coordinator.

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Practical Exercises - Continuous assessment is based primarily on the workshop and laboratory work.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 5.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Continuous

Assessment name: Examination
Description: The end-of-semester examination will require you to answer questions in all areas covered in the lectures, including the theoretical principles underpinning the practical exercises.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Assessment name: Examination
Description: Progress Examination - A 50-minute progress examination will be held during the semester.
Weighting:10
Relates to objectives: 1 to 3
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 10

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Recommended Text:
1. Harris DC (2010) Quantitative Chemical Analysis, 8th edition, New York: WH Freeman and Company.

References:
1. Harvey D (2000) Modern Analytical Chemistry, International Edition, McGraw-Hill
2. Willard HH, Merritt LL, Dean JA & Settle FA (1988) Instrumental Methods of Analysis, 7th edition, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co
3. Christian GD (2004) Analytical Chemistry, 6th edition, Wiley International Edition
4. Rouessac F & Rouessac A (2004) Chemical Analysis: Modern Instrumental Methods and Techniques, English Edition, John Wiley & Sons

Risk assessment statement

The professional practice of Chemistry requires the safe handling of Hazardous Substances. A practical laboratory program is an important part of this unit, so you will be required to handle such substances. The chemicals and procedures used in this unit are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course. You will be provided with a School Health and Safety Manual in this unit (or a pre-requisite unit). Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiment are clearly explained in the Practical Manual. Having been provided with this information, it is your responsibility to read and comply with these instructions for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 25-May-2012