6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1023513CNR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (C) Bachelor - specialised level.

Semester
1st and 2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Students must have followed ‘Analytical Chemistry’, before they can enroll for ‘Instrumental Analytical Chemistry’.
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Chemistry
Educational team
Martine Leermakers
Marc Elskens (course titular)
Imke Boonen
Philippe Claeys
Activities and contact hours
21 contact hours Lecture
48 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
21 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Course content: Theory 

  • Performance Characteristics of instruments 

  • An introduction to spectroscopic methods 

  • An introduction to chromatographic separations (Gas, Liquid and Supercritical Fluid chromatography) 

  • An introduction to Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) 

  • An introduction to Isotope ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) 

  • An introduction to Atomic X-Ray Spectrometry (XRF) 

  • An introduction to bioanalytical methods 

 

Course content: Practicals 

  1. 1. Gas Chromatography will be used for mercury speciation in aquatic sediments. The goal is to identify and quantify different mercury components, both organic and inorganic, in sediment samples using Gas Chromatography – Cold Vapour Atomic Fluorescence Spectroscopy (GC-CVAFS) and total Mercury Analyser (AMA) 

  1. 2. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) will be used to determine the concentration of trace element (Al, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, Ni, Pb, Zn, …)  in sediment samples. 

  1. 3. Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (EA-IRMS) will be used to determine the nitrogen and carbon content of food (plants, fish) using an Elemental Analyser (EA). Subsequently, the nitrogen (delta 15N) and carbon (delta 13C) isotope ratios will be determined using IRMS.

  1. 4. Bionalysis. The students will get an introduction on how to determine dioxins and PCBs in sediment samples using the CALUX method (Chemically Activated Luciferase gene eXpression). Special attention will be given to the extraction and clean-up procedures.  

  1. 5. Continuous flow analysis (CFA) will be used to determine the nutrient content in surface water samples. By using CFA, the samples will be automatically mixed with the required reagents. The molecular absorption of the formed complex will be determined using spectrometry 

Additional info

  • Previous knowledge: Basic knowledge in general and analytical chemistry as acquired during a bachelor’s in chemistry 

  • Study Material: Notes consisting of the slides shown during the lectures and specific research papers will be available via CANVAS 

  • Complementary study material: Books available in the library of AMGC research unit: Principles of Instrumental Analysis ISBN-13: 978-0495012016; Chemical Analysis: Modern Instrumentation Methods and Techniques DOI: 10.1021/ed085p373 

Learning Outcomes

General Competences

General Competences 

Chemical instrumentation is increasingly important in providing data required for industry, health science, environment protection, food production and basic research. Instrumentation fills only part of the need, as the challenges presented often require highly developed skills and judgement of chemists using these in order for the best results to be obtained. This course develops knowledge, experience and skills related to a variety of mainstream instrumental techniques in areas of spectroscopy, separation science and bioanalytics. With careful and thorough study, the student will discover the kinds of instruments that are currently available in the AMGC research unit as well as their strengths and limitations. 

 

Learning outcomes 

  • To develop an understanding of the range and theories of instrumental methods available in AMCG 

  • To develop knowledge pertaining to the appropriate selection of instruments for the successful analysis of complex mixtures 

  • To develop an understanding of the role of the chemist in measurement and problem solving in chemical analysis 

  • To provide practical experience in selected instrumental methods of analysis 

  • To extend skills in procedures and instrumental methods applied in analytical tasks 

  • To extend understanding of the professional and safety responsibilities residing in working on environmental problems 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
Practical Exam determines 50% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral Examination with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

Within the Practical Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Practical Examination with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

  1. Theory (50%): Oral examination following a written preparation of the answers 

  1. Practicals (50%): Written report on the practicals 

 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Chemistry: Default track (only offered in Dutch)