Wayland Baptist University
_________ Campus
School of Mathematics and Sciences
Wayland Mission Statement: Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in
an academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment
for professional success and service to God and humankind.
Course No. and Title: CHEM 3407-section; Instrumental Analysis
Term:
Name of Instructor:
Office Phone No. and WBU Email Address:
Office Hours, Building, and Location:
Students are encouraged to call or stop by the office at any time the instructor is available
including non-posted office hours.
Class Meeting Time and Location:
Catalog Description: Introductory study of the principles and applications of
instrumentation in analytical chemistry; methods used will include atomic absorption
spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, uv-visible spectroscopy, highperformance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. Course Fee: $90.
Lecture two hours, laboratory six hours.
Prerequisites: CHEM 3402 or school approval
Required Resources:
Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, and Stanley R. Crouch. Principles of Instrumental
Analysis 6th ed. Thomson Brooks/Cole Publishing.
*or choose from official booklist
Course Outcome Competencies:
At the conclusion of the course, the student should be able to
1. Understand the theoretical underpinnings of the instrumentation studied.
2. Understand the mechanism of the instrumentation beyond the “black-box” level.
3. Understand the principles of scientific investigation in the laboratory.
4. Understand the importance of proper laboratory notebook documentation and
reporting techniques.
5. Independently operate the analytical instrumentation and conduct research using
the methods introduced in the course.
6. Publicly present the results of a chemistry research project.
7. Understand the basic laboratory practices essential to maintain a safe laboratory
environment
Attendance Requirements:
“The University expects students to make class attendance a priority.”
1. Three unexcused absences from lecture may result in lowering the course grade
by one letter grade.
2. Participation in University sponsored events is an excused absence. Other
absences MAY be excused at the discretion of the instructor.
3. ALL absences (including for University sponsored events) must be discussed with
the instructor BEFORE the absence or they will be unexcused.
4. Labs must be completed during the week in which they are assigned or a grade of
0% will be recorded for that lab.
5. If a student misses 25% of lecture classes or laboratories the student may be
dropped from the class.
6. Students must agree on a lab time within a lab group and make every effort to
show up at that scheduled time. Upon arrival, ALL students in the lab must sign
in with the instructor before beginning lab activities.
Statement on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty: Wayland Baptist University
observes a zero tolerance policy regarding academic dishonesty. Per university policy as
described in the academic catalog, all cases of academic dishonesty will be reported and
second offenses will result in suspension from the university.
Disability Statement:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is the policy of Wayland
Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded from
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational
program or activity in the university. The Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as the
coordinator of students with a disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation
requests at (806) 291-3765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for
accommodations.
It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of any disability that may
require accommodation during the lecture or laboratory portions of the course. It is of
particular importance to report any condition or disability that may affect the laboratory
safety of the individual or others. Information provided for this purpose will be kept
strictly confidential and will not in any way affect the individual’s course grade.
Course Requirements and Grading Criteria:
1. Laboratory. The Lab grade will be primarily from written lab reports (due the
Tuesday after the assigned lab date). 5% points will be deducted for each day the
report is overdue. In addition, lab notebooks will be periodically checked for
completeness. Lab notebooks should be current and legible at all times.
2. Oral Exams Following the introduction and use of each type of instrument, the
students will be given an oral examination to confirm that they are knowledgeable
about the operation as well as the theory behind the instrument.
3. Reading the textbook and thorough understanding of assigned lab work will be
required for success on the oral examinations
4. Semester Project. This will be a research project of the students choosing that
must require the use of one or more of the instruments discussed during the
course. The students are encouraged to read the Journal of Chemical Education
for ideas and supporting materials for this project.
5. Abiding by laboratory safety guidelines at all times. Failure to do so will result in
dismissal from the lab and subsequent reduction in course grade.
Course Evaluation:
A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
0-60%
W
Withdrawal
I
Incomplete*
*An incomplete may be given within the last two weeks of the semester to a student who
is passing but has not completed required work for reasons beyond the student’s control.
The incomplete will be removed only if the required work is completed by the date
during the next academic term given in the academic catalogue. Failure to complete the
work by this date will result in the grade of F.
Students shall have protection through orderly procedures against prejudices or
capricious academic evaluation. A student who believes that he or she has not been held
to realistic academic standards, just evaluation procedures, or appropriate grading, may
appeal the final grade given in the course by using the student grade appeal process
described in the Academic Catalog. Appeals may not be made for advanced
placement examinations or course bypass examinations. Appeals are limited to the
final course grade, which may be upheld, raised, or lowered at any stage of the appeal
process. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be submitted through the
Executive Vice President/Provost to the Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for
review and approval. The Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee may instruct that
the course grade be upheld, raised, or lowered to a more proper evaluation.
Tentative Course Outline:
I. Introduction to Instrumental Methods
II. Spectroscopy
A. Introduction of UV-Visible Spectroscopy
1. Application #1 of UV-Vis Spec
2. Application of UV-Vis to Food Dye Analysis
B. Introduction to Atomic Absorption (AA) Spectroscopy
1. Application of AA to Food/Consumer Chemistry
2. Application of AA to Environmental Chemistry
C. Introduction to Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
1. Applications of FTIR to gas-phase samples
2. Applications of FTIR to liquid/solid samples
III. Chromatography
A. Introduction to High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
1. Applications of HPLC to environmental chemistry
2. Applications of HPLC to biochemistry
B. Introduction to Gas chromatography
1. Application of GC to forensic chemistry
2. Application of GC to food chemistry
IV. Other Instrumental Methods (that we won’t use!)
A. Mass Spectroscopy
B. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
C. Raman Spectroscopy
D. Neutron, Electron, X-ray Diffraction
E. Electrophoresis
F. Electron Microscopy
Additional Information: optional
Academic Honesty:
“University students are required to conduct themselves according to the highest
standards of academic honesty.”
Any student guilty of cheating or other forms of academic dishonesty will be penalized at
the instructor’s discretion by one or more of the following:
1. Assigning a grade of F to the work in question.
2. Assigning a grade of F for the entire course.
3. Recommendation for more severe punishment; including probation, suspension,
or expulsion from the University (see student handbook for further information).
This syllabus is flexible and changes will be made throughout the semester at the
discretion of the instructor.
Last revised: 03/18/15