Entry requirements

120 credits in Science including 60 credits Chemistry, or equivalent.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student shall be able to:

• describe theoretical models for separation, optimisation and detection for chromatographic (liquid - and gas chromatography) and capillary electrophoretic methods and predict how changes in experimental conditions influence a separation with these methods
• describe the principle and the design of the components that are included in separation and mass spectrometric instrumentation
• account for which type of information that can be received from a chromatogram, electropherogram and mass spectrum and have the ability to carry out general evaluation of spectra
• choose appropriate technique regarding both separation and detection and be able to choose and justify the choice of instrumentation based on performance and requirements that the applications demand
• plan and carry out experiment that facilitates validation of the performance of methods such as sensitivity and selectivity
• plan and carry out both qualitative and quantitative analysis of for example bioanalytical nature by means of the above mentioned methods

Content

Liquid chromatography (reversed phase, normal phase, ion pair, ion chromatography, size-exclusion), gas chromatography and capillary electrophoresis (capillary zone electrophoresis, capillary electrochromatography, capillary gel electrophoresis). Theoretic models for separation, optimisation, and detection. Instrumentation for chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. Overview of systems to generate and measure vacuum. Sample introduction, ion sources and ionisation principles (electron ionisation, chemical ionisation, laser-induced desorption, chemical and photon ionisation at atmospheric pressure and electrospray). Overview of mass analysers mainly quadrupole, ion trap, time-of-flight and hybrid instruments. Detectors. Information that can be received from a chromatogram, electropherogram and mass spectrum. General aspects of interpretation of spectra generated with electron ionisation, chemical ionisation, electrospray and laser desorption. Connection of separation methods (gas chromatography, liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis) to mass spectrometry. Data management. Strategies for both relative and absolute quantification. Analytical applications based on chromatographic and capillary electrophoretic methods.

Laboratory projects elucidating gas - and liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis and laboratory work with mass spectrometry coupled to separation methods. Oral and written presentation of results.

Instruction

The teaching is given as lectures, lessons, seminars and laboratory work. Course introduction, seminars and laboratory work are compulsory parts.

Assessment

Written examination at the end of the course. For passed grade on the course, it is required that the laboratory work has been presented and accepted. Laboratory work are marked to 7 .5 credits. The final grade corresponds to a weighed average of the results of the written examination and the laboratory work.