Detecting the undetectable: Analytical Techniques in the Natural Sciences

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• a critical appreciation of the ethical issues and likely societal impacts that are associated with advances in analytical methods
• a broad and critical understanding of the scientific and societal contexts in which analytical techniques are used.
• an awareness of the principles of contemporary advanced mass spectrometry techniques (isotope ratios and organic moleucles).
• an understanding of X-ray fluorescence and its applications
• an understanding of different separation techniques combined with MS
• a sound understanding of the physical and chemical principles that underlie modern analytical techniques.
• the use of uv-vis and IR data to analysis and detection of chemical species
• a critical awareness of mass spectrometry applications in areas such as drug testing, explosives detection, biomarkers.
• the use of qualitative experiments to identify deductively the presence of inorganic cations and anions
• critical interpretation, understanding and evaluation of mass spectrometry data from a range of scientific contexts (e.g. drug synthesis to oceanography)
• strategies for acquiring, collating, interpreting, evaluating and presenting complex technical information from cutting-edge research publications

The philosophy underlying this module is to empower students to take charge of their own learning in the area of analytical methodology. As a consequence the module will make extensive use of directed and peer-assisted self-learning methods, and will be based on case studies drawn from the primary research literature.

The module will be delivered in the context of areas of analytical science where Southampton is world leading

Teaching and learning methods

The module will consist of a small number of ‘traditional' lectures, which will be used to deliver some of the key background knowledge in areas such as chemical and physical processes that underpin the relevant analytical techniques, typical instrumentation available, data interpretation etc.. These lectures will provide the framework for a series of interactive sessions that involve directed self-learning activities centred around the use of primary literature sources about the application of analytical science (e.g. in biomedical sciences, archaeology and forensic science). There will be several group-work activities, presentation and discussion sessions as well as workshops.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Comprehensive resources (comprising pdf copies of research papers, book chapters etc) are provided on Blackboard at the beginning of the module.

Assessment strategy

The performance of the students will be assessed through:

• written assignments

Students will be assessed for:

• overall understanding of the application of key scientific and technical concepts
• accessing a wide range of information sources
• understanding and critical evaluation of research publications and reports

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External