BMS111 Analytical Chemistry Workshop

Workshop summary

Analytical Chemistry is the science of obtaining, processing, and communicating information about the composition and structure of matter. In other words, it is the art and science of determining what matter is and how much of it exists. It delivers practical and sustainable innovations to enable significant advancements in areas such as healthcare delivery, life sciences, environmental management, pharmaceutical sciences, energy, food safety, and water quality. This 3-day full immersion workshop will explore the tenets of basic understanding of analytical and physical chemistry and introduce advanced techniques and applications.

This workshop will provide undergraduate and postgraduate students with a non-chemistry background, with an understanding of the foundations of analytical chemistry, through the study of chemical kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamics. It will increase students’ understanding of the techniques used in qualitative, quantitative and structural analytical chemistry, and in particular the use of separation techniques and mass spectrometry in the identification of organic compounds.

By attending this workshop, Ulster University students will earn 5 credit points.

Objectives

On completion of this workshop, students will have an understanding of the way in which fundamental concepts in chemistry can be integrated together in a complementary manner. They will have a basic knowledge of:

• The electronic structure of the atom; atomic spectra; ionisation potential and electron affinity; atomic and ionic size; oxidation states; electronegativity; electron counting and VSEPR and covalent bonding
• Dissolution and solubility
• Chemical equilibrium and kinetics
• Electrolyte solutions at equilibrium
• The inter-relationship between molecular structure, electronic structure and physical properties
• Principles of thermodynamics and their application to chemical reactions.

The student will have an appreciation of the relevance this fundamental knowledge has in the understanding of modern analytical chemistry techniques.

This workshop will explain to students and give them practice in:

• The principles and applications of separation techniques and mass spectrometry used in qualitative, quantitative and structural analytical chemistry.

Syllabus

This workshop will provide:

• A basic-mathematical introduction to modern concepts in chemistry.
• Understanding of the atomic and molecular theory, kinetic theory, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, thermochemistry, and the behaviour of ions in solution, acids and bases.
• Chromatography: Principles, introduction and applications of gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
• Mass Spectrometry: Principles, introduction and applications of mass spectrometry.
• Practical demonstrations:  Sample preparation and data acquisition, strengths and limitations of automation, data Interpretation.

Learning outcomes

Having successfully completed this workshop students will be expected to be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of rates of chemical and physical change, and of thermodynamic and kinetic concepts.
• Understand how energy is stored and distributed in atoms and molecules
• Understand the relationship between kinetics and thermodynamics.
• Develop and validate GC-HPLC methods
• Determine appropriate ionisation technique and instrument type for analysis
• Interpret, understand and critically evaluate mass spectrometry data
• Have raised awareness of mass spectrometry application areas

Teaching Methods

• Theory: Lectures with a mixture of plenary lectures and small-group problem solving workshops.
• Practical: Involving interaction with the instrumentation and data interpretation in small groups.
  Analysis to be performed:
  -Vitamin D metabolites in serum
  -Analysis of impurities in pharmaceutical drug products
  -Small molecule and peptide identification

Costs

• EARLY BIRDS DISCOUNT (until 14^th September 2020) £180 per student (full workshop) and £100 for either theory or practical modules
• After 14^th September: £250 (full workshop) and £150 for either theory or practical modules

Dates and Venues

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Analytical Chemistry workshop will be postponed until October 12^th-14^th. In order to comply with current Government guidelines and University’s policies and guidance on COVID-19 the workshop will be restricted to a maximum of 20 attendees. Therefore, early registration is highly encouraged. If you have any questions about our guidelines, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Diego Cobice (d.cobice@ulster.ac.uk)

• 12^th to 14^th th October 2020 (9am to 6pm)
• Theory: 12^th-13^th October 2020, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus Lecture theatre U012
• Practical: 14^th October 2020, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus, Mass Spectrometry Centre, W0034,36,37 and 38

Contact

If interested or have any queries, please contact:

• Dr Diego Cobice (d.cobice@ulster.ac.uk)