DRHEA Module Descriptor
Title
Credits
Coordinator name
Coordinator contact details
Places available
Semester/ Term
Start date
Assessment (written exam,
MCQ etc)
Format
Workload
Advanced Analytical Techniques
5
Blanaid White
Blanaid.white@dcu.ie
10
Semester 1
13-17 January 2014
Abbreviated laboratory write ups
Prior Learning requirements
(if any)
none
4 x 6 hour practical sessions
Module Aims:
To provide students with experience in the safe operation of analytical instrumentation. To promote
"hands-on" development of analytical methods applicable to problems encountered in industry and
research. To encourage an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving in a modern analytical
laboratory. To apply theoretical knowledge in a practical laboratory setting. To develop record keeping
and presentation skills. To develop inter-personnel and communication skills.
Students will take 4 of the following experiments (they choose 8, and 4 will be allocated):
1. IR and NMR and Karl Fischer analysis of unknown samples
2. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
3. Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
4. High Performance Liquid Chromatography
5. Ion Chromatography
6. Gas Chromatography – Flame Ionisation Detetction
7. Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometric Detection
8. Capillary Zone Electrophoresis
9. Cyclic Voltammetry
10. Scanning Electron Microscopy
11. Spectrofluorimetry
12. HPLC-MS
13. Raman Spectroscopy
Learning Outcomes:
1. operate modern analytical instrumentation including UV spectrometry, Spectrofluorimetry, gas
chromatography, high performance liquid Chromatography, atomic absorption spectrometry, IR
and NMR analysis, mass spectrometry, solid phase extraction, ion chromatography, capillary
zone electrophoresis, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, scanning electron
microscopy and computerised data acquisition systems.
2. competently write detailed scientific reports based on the analytical methods they use in the
laboratory based on their critical analysis of the data obtained during the laboratory
3. critically assess laboratory quality control data for the analytical methods that they develop