Main Field of Study and progress level:
Chemistry: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Department of Chemistry
Revised by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2021-08-09
Contents
Advanced experimental and instrumental chemical techniques play a crucial role in the study of molecules and their interactions with the surrounding environment. Chemists are assumed to possess the ability both to produce new substances and to study them with appropriate tools, a combination of knowledge that is important in many natural, medical and technological sciences in both academia and industry. The course provides theoretical and practical knowledge of modern techniques to produce, isolate and characterize different types of chemical compounds important in the life and environmental sciences. The course contains four blocks covering tools for (i) synthesis and isolation, (ii) separation, (iii) identification and quantification, and (iv) structure characterization. The focus will be on liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy, and techniques for X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The laboratory work includes organic synthesis work and practical work with advanced chemical instrumentation and is closely related to research at Umeå University in protein, medicinal and environmental chemistry.
Expected learning outcomes
After completing the course, students should be able to: - describe the importance of the concepts of solid-phase synthesis, asymmetric synthesis and "green chemistry" in organic synthesis and describe strategies for immobilization of molecules on solid phases, protecting group strategies and characteristics and application areas for polymer substrates in organic synthesis on solid phases. - plan and practical implement solid-phase synthesis and asymmetric synthesis. - describe the theoretical and practical conditions that enable and restrict the use of the chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques that are treated in the course. - describe how chemical and physical properties of a compound, and the technical design of the instruments, affect performance parameters such as signal intensity, signal profile, detectability and selectivity. - describe the type of information that can be obtained from experiments with the different spectroscopic techniques, and how that information can provide insight about chemical structure, speciation and redox condition of substances. - discuss the occurrence and correction of interference in analytical measurements. - describe, and practically apply, concepts for validation, quality control and determination of measurement uncertainty of analytical results. - individually analyse data from a selection of common spectroscopic experiments covered in the course. argue for the selection of appropriate synthesis, separation and analysis techniques for a given chemical problem. - plan and carry out laboratory work according to a scientific approach, including risk assessment. - keep a record of laboratory work in an accurate and authoritative manner. - present and discuss in English the results obtained, in writing in the form of a scientific report and orally in the form of a mini-symposium.
Required Knowledge
Passed courses in Chemistry, 60 credits, or the equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section). Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.
Form of instruction
The teaching consists of lectures, exercises, tutorials, self-study sessions and laboratory sessions. The laboratory work and associated group work is mandatory.
Examination modes
Examinations are conducted by written examination and by written and oral presentation of laboratory work. For the written exam is given one of the grades Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG). On the laboratory work is given one of the grades Fail (U), Pass (G). On the whole the course is given one of the grades Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG). To pass the course all examinations and compulsory modules must be approved. Those who pass the exam are not permitted a reexam for a higher grade. A student who has failed two exams for a course or part of a course, are entitled to have appointed a new examiner, unless there are special reasons against it (HF 6 kap. § 22). Requests for new examiners are made to the Head of the Department of Chemistry.
Academic credit transfer is always evaluated individually (see the University rules for academic credit transfer).
Literature
The literature list is not available through the web.
Please contact the faculty.
