CHM 414: Instrumental Methods of Analysis

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Instrumental Methods of Analysis is a course that examines many devices (instruments) that have been invented and developed to extend the human senses to space and time domains that may be many orders of magnitude smaller (or sometimes larger) than we can detect unaided.

My main goal for this course is that each of you will become familiar with all the basic general-purpose instruments used by chemists: what they are designed to do, how to use them properly and how to interpret the information (data) they provide. In this category I place relatively simple devices that measure mass, time, pressure, etc.; more sophisticated devices such as UV/Vis and IR spectrometers, GCs and HPLCs; highly complex instruments such as mass spectrometers and FT devices (FT-NMR, FT-IR);  and “hyphenated” instruments (combining two or more techniques into one package) such as GC-MS and LC-MS. I also want each of you to learn about (and sometimes use) some of the many more specialized instruments that have been developed to address specific analytical needs in chemistry sub-disciplines (from aerosol mass spectrometry to capillary electrophoresis to reflectance IR to X-ray diffraction structural analysis to …). If that main goal is met then you will be able to state honestly on your Curriculum Vitae that your undergraduate experience in chemistry gave you broad hands-on exposure to chemical analytical instrumentation.

Beyond that main goal lies another: that you will develop “X-ray vision,” and see chemical analytical instruments not as different “black boxes” but as devices that all have certain similarities. Each instrument creates an analytical signal through the interaction of an electrical, magnetic and/or gravitational field with matter; each one extracts that signal and processes it in some way (mechanically or electrically), and each one presents some results (data) that interact with your senses to provide you with information you seek. Understanding exactly how an instrument operates will make you better able to decide if it is capable of answering a specific question, better able to decide whether it is or is not working properly, and better able to decide just how much faith to put in the information the instrument provides.

In constructing the class and laboratory schedule, I have tried to avoid scheduling the exams or due dates for laboratory reports on religious holidays. However, I will consider granting reasonable requests for changes in the schedule if they are presented well in advance of the date(s) affected.

I encourage you to discuss with me your standing in the course at any time. Also feel free to discuss with me how you feel class and laboratory time can be spent most productively to assist your learning.

If you have a physical or mental disability, either hidden or visible, which may require reasonable modifications of classroom, laboratory and/or test-taking procedures, please see me as soon as possible. If you have not already done so, please also be sure to register with Susan Duques, Ph.D., in the Office of Student Disability Services, at extension 5428.

Best wishes for a productive, satisfying and enjoyable semester.