420 Syllabus

Advanced Analytical Instrumentation

(a.k.a. Mass Spectrometry)

Dunnivant

Spring, 2011

Meeting times: TBA; at least 4 hours per week in the lab, probably more.

Goals of the course:

o To learn modern computer control of advanced instrumentation

o To learn advance sample preparation techniques

o To learn to research laboratory techniques, optimize and adapt them, and effectively communicate them to other researchers.

o To learn to use advanced instrumentation, including gas and liquid chromatography, inductively coupled plasma, mass spectrometry, and capillary electrophoresis

Each student or pair of students will:

1. Use one standard procedure to learn how to use an instrument

2. Research literature to find an interesting procedure that can be adapted to our lab

3. Adapt the procedure to our instruments and lab

4. Write up the procedures as a teaching lab to be used next year

Students will normally work as a pair. Because of safety precautions and to ensure that each student does equal work, all students must be present when anyone in their group is working in the lab or researching the literature. Lab reports will be written as a group; everyone will write a portion of the write up.

Grading: Ideally each group of students will research, develop, and write up at least two lab experiments during the semester. Grades will be based mostly on effort, and to a smaller extent on success since experimental work is not always successful. A final may be given on laboratory techniques and instrument theory depending on our success in writing procedures this semester.

Potential Projects Include:

-Analysis of Cocaine on US currency
-Analysis of Caffeine in human urine
-Analysis of volatile pesticides/herbicides on grocery store flowers
-Analysis of pesticide residues on grocery fruit
-or you may find and adapt an experiment from the literature