Analytical Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry
Mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the most important analytical techniques within pharmaceutical, biological, and environmental sciences, and is widely used in industrial and commercial laboratories.
The course will teach you how to work with the most common techniques, namely LC/MS and GC/MS, and how to plan and perform MS analyses for different applications.
The course mediates profound knowledge in
- MS theory
- Instrumentation
- Identification by spectra interpretation
- Quantitative measurements
- Extensive hands-on experience of MS
MS is a quickly and constantly developing field and the course therefore also includes theory of some of the most important emerging MS technologies.
In the experimental part you will learn important principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), covering ethics, security and documentation.
The course also mediates a green thinking, important for an increased sustainability of any analytical laboratory work. This involves reduction of harmful solvent consumption and waste, such as by using miniaturized LC systems for MS.
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Course structure
The course runs approximately 8.5 weeks. Please note that even if not all days are scheduled, the course will require full-time studies, in the form of homework, group work etc.
All scheduled course meetings are mandatory. Normally, studies are performed between 9 am and 5 pm and approximately 50 % comprises experimental work.
The theoretical part includes course meetings, homework assignments, group work, peer-review and seminars. The course meetings are usually between 9 and 12 am.
Four different one-afternoon experiments (lab 1-4) on fundamental mass spectrometry are performed during the first weeks. To be allowed to perform the experiment you are asked to first study the distributed material thoroughly and answer questions. The results and learning outcomes from the labs are presented orally and not by written lab reports.
A three-week project work is planned and performed group-wise and more independently during the last four weeks of the course. The project results and outcomes are presented both orally and in the format of a written report.Modules
- Theory 7.5 credits
- Lab course 3 credits
- Project work 4.5 credits
Teaching format
Theory
The theoretical part includes course meetings, homework assignments, group work, peer-review and seminars.
Lab
Four different one-afternoon experiments (lab 1-4) on fundamental mass spectrometry are performed during the first weeks.
Project
Three week practical group project during the second half of the course.
Assessment
- Written exam, graded A-F.
- Project report and project work performance.
- Lab safety exam, one-day experiments and oral presentations of lab results.
Examiner
Examiner: Ulrika Nilsson
E-mail: ulrika.nilsson@mmk.su.se -
Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
- Mass Spectrometry, Principles and Applications, 3rd ed. 2007, E. de Hoffman and V. Stroobant, ISBN 9780470033111.
- Distributed research papers and lecture hand-outs.
- Interpretation of Mass Spectra, 4th ed 1993, F W Mc Lafferty and F Turecek. ISBN 9780935702255. This book is useful but not necessary since hand-outs and exercises cover its most important chapters.
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Contact
Examiner: Ulrika Nilsson
E-mail: ulrika.nilsson@mmk.su.seChemistry Section & Student Affairs Office:
Office: Chemical Practice Laboratory M345
E-mail: chemistry@su.se
