Introduction

An introduction to the science of making chemical measurements. Learn the fundamentals of information and sample gathering, measuring, and minimizing experimental error. We’ll cover the elementary statistics needed to understand chemical measurements, followed by proper use of calibrations.

Explore the principles of how chromatographs achieve chemical separations, which will help optimize your analyses.

Lastly, we’ll cover the principles of spectroscopy, which form the basis for understanding how FTIR and UV/Vis spectrometers identify and quantify molecules. Exercises and homework are used to increase the retention of knowledge.

  • Learn the three variables used to optimize analyses.
  • See how to quantify and minimize measurement error.
  • Learn how a chromatograph works and how to improve your separations.
  • Discover how infrared and UV/Vis spectrometers work and how to use them to solve industrial problems.

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For permission to reuse content from ACS Professional Education, please contact proed@acs.org.


Principles of Analytical Chemistry Module 1

Module 1

What Is Analytical Chemistry?

  • Optimizing Analyses
  • Becoming a Problem Solver
  • Sampling
  • Significant Figures

Quantifying Measurement Error

  • Random Error and Its Sources
    • Signal-to-Noise Ratios
    • Getting Rid of Noise
  • Systematic Error
  • Precision and Accuracy


Principles of Analytical Chemistry Module 2

Module 2

Quantifying Measurement Error (continued)

  • Calibrations
    • Calibration Checks
    • Calibration Applicability

Statistics for Chemical Measurement

  • Mode, Median, Mean
  • The Standard Deviation
  • Confidence Limits

Introduction to Chromatography

  • Basic Theory
  • Modeling a Separation


Principles of Analytical Chemistry Module 3

Module 3

Introduction to Chromatography (continued)

  • Peak Widths
  • Resolution
  • Optimizing Separations
  • Gas Chromatography (GC) 
  • High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) 

Principles of Spectroscopy

  • The Properties of Light


Principles of Analytical Chemistry Module 4

Module 4

Principles of Spectroscopy (continued)

  • Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
    • Instrumentation
    • Sample Preparation: ATR
  • Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy
    • Theory
    • Instrumentation


Principles of Analytical Chemistry Module 5

I. Calibration Science

  • Graphs & Lines
  • Calibrations & Validation
  • Calibration Checks
  • Validation
  • Least Squares Fitting
  • Calibration & Validation Metrics
  • Calibration Applicability
  • Spotting Outliers
  • Least Squares Fitting and Calibration Metrics

II. Statistics for Chemical Measurement

  • Mode, Median, Mean
  • The Standard Deviation
  • Confidence Limits

III. Intro to Chromatography?

Principles of Analytical Chemistry Module 6

V. Introduction to Chromatography

  • Basic Theory
  • Modeling a Separation

Principles of Analytical Chemistry Module 7

V. Introduction to Chromatography

  • Peak Widths
  • Resolution
  • Optimizing Separations

Principles of Analytical Chemistry Module 8

V. Introduction to Chromatography

  • Gas Chromatography (GC)
  • High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Principles of Analytical Chemistry Module 9

VI. Principles of Molecular Spectroscopy

A. The Properties of Light

B. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

  • Instrumentation
  • Sample Preparation: ATR
  • Library Searching
  • Intro to IR Spectral Interpretation

C. Raman Spectroscopy

  • Theory – Photon Molecule Collisions
  • Instrumentation

D. Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy

  • Theory
  • Instrumentation

Principles of Analytical Chemistry Module 10

VI. Principles of Molecular Spectroscopy

A. The Properties of Light

B. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

  • Instrumentation
  • Sample Preparation: ATR
  • Library Searching
  • Intro to IR Spectral Interpretation

Principles of Analytical Chemistry Module 11

C. Raman Spectroscopy

  • Theory – Photon Molecule Collisions
  • Instrumentation

D. Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy

  • Theory
  • Instrumentation

Principles of Analytical Chemistry Module 12

VII. Mass Spectrometry

  • Overview
  • Sample Preparation
  • Instrument Design
  • Data Interpretation
  • GC-MS
  • LC-MS

VIII. Atomic Spectroscopy

  • Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
  • Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy