Module overview
Modern spectroscopic techniques underpin a wide range of chemical and biological research as well as serving as a valuable analytical tool. This module will introduce some of the key principles, tools and techniques that govern spectroscopic measurements and allow scientists of all disciplines to characterise chemical structure and composition, image biological samples and follow chemical reactions in intricate detail. The module will cover how these techniques can be used for both applied science relevant to biological imaging, as well as more fundamental science for measuring the motion of the atoms and electrons that drive chemical reactivity.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Explain how spectroscopy can be used to measure photochemical reactions
- Use spectroscopic terminology and concepts
- Analyse real experimental data to retrieve information about chemical and biological systems using chemometrics
- Explain laser operation and how the properties of laser light can be exploited.
- Explain how linear and nonlinear spectroscopies work and what information can be retrieved
- Explain how various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum can be used to measure different aspects of molecules structure
Syllabus
1.Light-matter interactions: Introduction to spectroscopy; basic concepts, terminology and features including EM spectrum, transitions, energy levels, line widths etc.
2.Laser operation and sources.
3.Electronic spectroscopy (UV-Visible-NIR) and examples
4.Absorption and Fluorescence spectroscopy including use in biology
5.Vibrational spectroscopy and introduction to IR and Raman
6.Advanced Raman techniques: Surface-enhancement, plasmonics and some bioanalytical applications
7.Non-linear spectroscopy applicable to the study of molecules, surface and interfaces.
8.Photochemistry – What can we learn about chemical reactivity from spectroscopic measurements?
9.Conventional spectroscopy approaches – Kinetic energy release spectroscopy
10.Time-resolved spectroscopy – Wavepackets and transition state spectroscopy
11.The current state of the art – From femtoseconds to attoseconds
12.Analysis of experimental measurements
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching Methods
Lectures, online formative assessments, workshops (involving real data analysis), Lab visits
Directed reading, BB online support
Learning Methods
Independent study, student motivated peer-group study, student driven tutor support.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 120 |
| Teaching | 30 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Banwell and McCash. Fundamentals of Molecular Spectroscopy.
Telle, Urena and Donovan. Laser Chemistry. Spectroscopy, dynamics and applications.
Hollas (2004). Modern Spectroscopy. Wiley.
Assessment
Summative
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final Assessment | 100% |