CH332: Instrumental Methods of Analysis
Students in Instrumental Methods of Analysis will develop a fundamental understanding of the theory and practice of modern analytical instrumentation. Starting with an overview of analog and digital electronics, the course describes the process of signal transduction to make invisible flows of heat, light, or electrons visible to the analyst. Each of these flows is due to the interaction of energy with atoms and molecules. Specific chemical analysis is obtained by the unique interaction of energy with the analyte with or without physical separation. Students in the course should be able to identify the analytical requirements for sample analysis, understand the fundamental interaction of energy with the analyte, and design and operate a practical instrument that reports chemical concentrations in appropriate units with well-defined uncertainties. Homework and laboratory exercises are often directly related to practical analytical requirements of the campus, such as drinking water analysis, and involve both written reports and class presentations. Technical reports and presentations are expected to meet the standards of professional chemists for content, style, and accuracy.
Professors:
Karena McKinney
[email protected]
(office) 207-859-5767
Office Hours: TBD
Whitney King
[email protected]
(office) 207-859-5755
(cell) 207-649-9674
Office Hours: Mondays 10-12 AM and by appointment
Text: Principles of Instrumental Analysis, 6th Edition, Douglas A. Skoog et al. (it is fine to purchase this book used)
Schedule of lecture topics and exams will be posted on the class Word Press page.
Grading: 40% Exams + 10% Homework + 25% Lab Reports + 25% Final Exam.
Exam Dates:
Homework
The Homework is an important component of the course. Homework will be assigned every week. All homework assignments will be collected and graded. The grade for late homework will be reduced 20 percentage points. We expect that several times during the semester tests and other major assignments in your other courses will make it difficult to complete the homework assignments on time. Let us know if you are getting overloaded with other course work and we can make some modifications to the homework assignments.
Academic Honesty
All students are expected to do their own work. In some cases we will ask you to work on experiments in small groups. We expect and encourage you to discuss the procedures and results of these experiments with your fellow classmates. It is also acceptable to work together on difficult homework assignments. However, the final lab reports and completed homework assignments should be your own work. This means that you should be able to explain in detail all of the steps and procedures used to solve a particular homework problem or lab assignment. If you work in groups acknowledge the contributions of others by listing their name at the top of your assignments.
This course will follow the Chemistry Department policies on Attendance and Missed Exams as posted on the Department website: http://www.colby.edu/chem/about/chemistry-attendance-and-exam-policy/