Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Overview
This unit is a third year University Level Chemistry unit, designed for students who have completed two years of chemistry. The standard of chemistry is suited for students intending to major in the chemical sciences. The unit is designed to further develop knowledge of analytical chemistry with an emphasis on methods of sample preparation, the understanding and application of NMR, Mass Spectroscopy, Electrochemistry and Surface Analytical Techniques. Recent developments in Chromatographic methods will also be reviewed.
Requisites
01-June-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Select the best method of sample preparation required for a particular analytical technique
- Apply NMR and Mass Spectroscopy to identify molecular structures from their spectra
- Develop detailed knowledge of Electrochemistry and its various technical applications
- Recognise recent developments in Chromatographic methods
- Develop detailed knowledge of surface analytical techniques such as X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, and apply these techniques for measuring the outer few nanometres of a material’s surface
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Lecture | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Science Laboratory | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 8.50 | 12 weeks | 102 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 5 - 10% | 2 |
| Examination | Individual | 40 - 60% | 1,2,4,5 |
| Mid-Semester Test | Individual | 10 - 20% | 3 |
| Practical Assignment | Individual | 20 - 30% | 1,2,4 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
(i) an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) at least 40% in the final exam, and(iii) completion of a minimum of 80% of laboratory work based on the criteria for successful completion as explained in the lab handout(s).Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirements (ii) and (iii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
Electrochemistry:
- Ionic solutions
- Redox chemistry
- Electrochemical cells
- Electrode processes
- Electrochemical methods
- Energy Storage
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Mass Spectroscopy (MS):
- Principles of NMR
- PMR chemical shifts, areas and first order splitting patterns
- Analysis of PMR spectra
- Complications in PMR spectra
- FT instrumentation (IR and NMR)
- Analysis of CMR spectra
- Principles of MS
- MS instrumentation
- Interpretation of mass spectra
Sample Preparation and Advanced Chromatographic Techniques:
- Digestion Techniques
- Solid Phase Extraction
- UPLC
- 2D-Chromatography
- Convergent Chromatography
Surface Analytical Techniques:
- X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)
- Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS)
- Applications of surface analytical techniques
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.