Entry requirements

120 credits with 60 credits in chemistry including Analytical Chemistry, 10 credits. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

- describe the principles for mass spectrometric instrumentation, such as vacuum, ion optics, mass analysers and detectors. Furthermore, choose and justify selection instrumentation considering instrument performance and application demands

- describe commonly used ionisation techniques and be able to choose and justify the selection of ionisation techniques for different applications

- have knowledge about and justify selection of separation techniques combined with mass spectrometric detection

- describe what types of information that can be obtained from a mass spectrum and have the ability to perform common spectra interpretation

- have knowledge about different aspects that has to be considered in quantitative analysis with mass spectrometric detection and be able to describe common strategies used in quantitative analysis

- suggest strategies for system optimisation regarding sensitivity and selectivity

Content

System for generating and measuring vacuum. Mass analysers especially quadrupole, ion trap, time-of-flight and hybrid instruments. Sample introduction, ion sources and ionisation principles (electron and chemical ionisation, laser induced desorption, chemical and photon ionisation performed at atmospheric pressure, and electrospray. Interfacing separation techniques (gas and liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis) to mass spectrometry. Information that can be obtained from a mass spectrum. General interpretation of spectra generated by electron and chemical ionisation, electrospray and laser desorption. Strategies for both relative and absolute quantification. Data handling.

Instruction

Lectures, laboratory work, seminars, and demonstrations. Compulsory moments: Course introduction, laboratory work and seminars.

Assessment

Examination is arranged during and/or at the end of the course. The laboratory work must also be passed. The laboratory work is evaluated to 3 credits. Students who have failed a test will be given new opportunities.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.