CHEM 142 - Advanced Analytical Methods 
Course Syllabus / Requirements

Survey of  Modern Analytical Instrumentation and Problems Using Case Study Method

       A major portion of this course will be run in a “student-driven” case-study format.  Each person will be responsible for presenting two case-studies during the semester.  Once the topics are selected, not only the student presenting, but also all class members, will be expected to become reasonably knowledgeable with that topic.  In all cases I will facilitate the discussion and where necessary I will also augment the presentation.

CASE-STUDY A:  You will be selecting a modern analytical instrument, method or technique and will discuss (both written and oral to the class) its application to two or three specific analytical problems from the recent literature (<4 years).  For example, you might select “electrochemically modulated LC” and its application to two/three analytical problems. The written report and presentation should both contain a brief background, theory, principles of operation, demonstrations of its application, and most important, your critical analysis including any inherent problems and the future potential uses for such an instrument.   

CASE-STUDY B:  For this case you are to select a specific analytical problem in your area of interest.  For example, an environmental problem such as how to detect and identify a mixture of PCBs, or biochemical, such as how to measure the levels of dopamine in synaptic cells.  Once you have identified a problem, you should then consider (with the help of the published literature) several types of instruments and/or techniques which would enable you to solve that specific analytical problem.  The written report and presentation should both contain a brief background of the problem, previous attempted solutions, current investigations, and application of instrumentation or techniques which have contributed, or appear to hold potential, in providing an analytical answer.

The selections should be made in an area in which you have little knowledge or wish to learn more.   The written report should be no longer than 20 pages, and include appropriate sections (including references).  A short (2-3 page) summary with references should be copied and either emailed before, or at the latest passed out before class at your presentation.  The written report is due no later than the Monday before the presentation and should be given/emailed to me in electronic form.  The oral presentation should not take longer than 45 minutes and you should be prepared for any questions and/or discussion.  The presentation should be informal and PowerPoint may be used as necessary.  In any case, you should be able to demonstrate that you have acquired a good understanding of the topic you have chosen.

All students are required to attend all case presentations and to actively participate with questions and in the discussions.  Each presentation should be a learning activity for the entire class.  Your grade will be based on your oral presentation, written report, and participation in the discussions.

Below is a list of possible topics involving modern analytical instrumentation, techniques and applications.  Use this list as a starting point if you wish, it is not meant to be limiting and you are encouraged to select an analytical topic of interest to you.  Each topic must be approved by me and will be available on a first come basis.   

The subsidiary goal of this class is to also give you experience in both oral and written presentations of scientific material. 

CHEMISTRY 142 – EXAMPLES OF  TOPICS

Optical Spectroscopy:

Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseased Tissue with Lasers

Fluorescence Line-Narrowing Spectroscopy

Solid Surface Luminescence

Fluorescence Lifetime Filtering

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Analytical Applications of Polarimetry, Dispersion and Dichroism

Optical Waveguides as Chemical Sensors

Bioanalytical Applications of Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Ellipsometry for Thin-film and Surface Analysis

UV-Raman Spectroscopy

Acousto-Optical Devices

IR Microscopy

Holographic Spectroscopy

Coherent Forward Scattering Atomic Spectroscopy

Chromatography:

Capillary Electrophoresis

Modern Thin-Layer Chromatography

Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

Field-Flow Fractionation

Multi-Separation Methods: LC-GC, SFC-GC and SFE-GC

Micro-column LC

Quantitative Structure-Retention Relationships

Chromatography-FTIR Approaches to Analysis

Mass Spectroscopy:

Field Ionization and Desorption Mass Spectrometry

Plasma Desorption Mass Spectrometry

Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry

Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Continuous-Flow Fast Atom Mass Spectroscopy

Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Mass Spectroscopy

FT Mass Spectrometry of High-Mass Biomolecules

Time-of-Flight MS of Biological Molecules

Ion Chromatography

X-ray Spectroscopy:

X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Trace Element Determinations with Synchrotron-Induced X-Ray Emission

Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy

Total-Reflection X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Electrochemistry:

Electrochemical Applications of the Quartz Micro Balance

Raman Monitoring of Dynamic Electrochemical Events

LC with Pulsed Electrochemical Detection

Solving Analytical Problems in Electrochemistry Via Spectroscopy

Electrochemistry-MS

Biosensors