Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

 

Instructor: Professor Peter Nemes

Office: TBD

Phone: TBD

E-mail: nemes [AT] umd [dot] edu

 

Objectives

This course provides you with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with some basic instrumental techniques for chemical analysis. Development of analytical skills does not mean simply acquiring familiarity with analytical instruments. As a matter of fact, it would require several semesters of Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory to become proficient in all analytical platforms due to their vast number and different fundamentals. Thus, throughout this course you should learn to develop an analytical thinking that permits mastering a new analytical instrumental approach to address a real-life problem. Becoming a skillful analytical chemist is the principle goal of this course.

 

Learning Outcomes

Develop necessary skills to solve a particular analytical problem “from scratch,” including

1. selection of an appropriate technique,

2. performing the measurements,

3. analyzing the measurement data,

4. presenting and interpreting results in the form of a concise scientific report.

 

Grading

Grading for this course includes three components: laboratory report (70%), research paper assignment (20%), and your preparedness and participation in the lab (10%).

 

Class Policy

Attendance is required and is monitored. Make-up labs are not allowed (except in the case of excused absence).

 

Laboratory Safety

You must strictly comply with the UMD General Laboratory and Chemical Safety guidelines. Failure to comply with these rules will result in your removal from the laboratory. Uncompleted experiments will be treated as unexcused absences equivalent of zero (0) points for the experiment.

 

Academic Integrity

You are required to comply with the UMD Code of Academic Integrity, which is available here. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated: Cheating and/or plagiarism—such as copying another notebook report—will result in a failing grade for that assignment and/or failing the entire course. Furthermore, incidents of academic misconduct may also be reported for further disciplinary action.