610-260 Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopic Methods

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Chemistry 610-141+ 610-142 or, if an average mark of greater than 60% is obtained, 610-161 + 610-162 (or Pre 1998: 610-121 + 610-122).

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Upon completion of 610-260 students should comprehend:

• the methods of separation of mixtures into individual components;
• the main types of instrumental methods for the analysis of chemical materials, classical chemical techniques and their limitations;
• the method of calculation of errors;
• statistical treatment of data;
• the basic spectroscopic techniques necessary to determine molecular structure.

In the practical component of the course students should have developed:

• quantitative and qualitative laboratory manipulative skills;
• skills to accurately and reproducibly analyse chemical materials, both single entities and mixtures;
• skills to determine the structure of chemical compounds with the aid of spectroscopic techniques.

Students should also appreciate:

• the relative merits and complementary of classical chemical and instrumental methods of analysis;
• the importance of rational, critical and independent thought in chemical science and the understanding of analytical chemistry.

The subject covers the topics: principles and applications of various forms of spectroscopy in analytical chemistry, including atomic absorption, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet and visible and mass spectrometry. Determination of molecular structure. Electrochemical and other analytical methods. Chromatography. Accuracy, precision and statistical treatment of data.

Assessment

A 2-hour written examination at the end of Semester 1. Satisfactory performance in both theory and practical work is required before credit can be granted for this subject.