COURSES

Goals

The course objective is to contribute towards understanding the basic analytical methods applied in organic analysis. We will provide the students with a comprehensive introduction to analytical chemistry techniques as well as knowledge of instrumentation. Besides lectures and seminars, an important part of this course will be devoted to practical exercise, where the students will gain experience in solving analytical problems. Specific course objectives are to introduce students to the basis of: - Evaluation of available separation techniques; - Selection of the optimal separation technique; - Evaluation of available methods for determination of selected organic compound; - Selection of the optimal method for determination of selected organic compound; - Hands-on interpretation of chromatographic and spectroscopic data. Specific case study objectives are to: - Select an organic pollutant and environmental matrix as a case study; - Select the separation and identification technique for selected pollutant analysis based on theoretical part of exam; - Integrate chromatograms and mass spectra interpretation into compound qualitative and quantitative determination. Competences: - Integrate theoretical and practical knowledge on organic analysis in practice.

Curriculum

The course is focused on the role of separation and qualitative and quantitative determination techniques involved in organic analysis in different matrices. Separation techniques will include: - Different extraction techniques as an example of sample preparation including liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction and solid phase micro-extraction, Soxhlet extraction, microwave assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction); - Chromatographic separation with an emphasis on gas and liquid chromatography; - Green chemistry principles in relation to selection of extraction technique. Identification methods will cover: - The emphasis will be on mass spectrometry and hyphenated chromatographic-spectroscopic techniques; - Complementary techniques including bases of following spectroscopic methods UV-VIS, IR, RAMAN, and NMR; - Hands on application of different mass analysers in mass spectrometry and interpretation of mass spectra. Case study: each candidate will be, according to the subject of her/his PhD, given a case study, where she/he will, based on the knowledge gained within this course, evaluate the options and propose the most appropriate separation and identification method.