Course Information

Three hours of lecture a week. A study of the theory and techniques of instrumental analysis, such as, potentiometry, polarography, spectroscopy, chromatography, mass spectrometry, NMR, and other advanced instrumental techniques.

Lab

Four hours of laboratory a week. Introduction to analytical techniques associated with utilizing modern instruments, such as a polarograph, UV, NMR, and IR instruments, and a gas chromatograph.

Course Pre-Requesite

Lecture

Take CHEM-302 and CHML-302

Lab

None

Course Objectives

Lecture

In this course, students will:

Be able to use the analytical process to answer scientific questions independently.
Understand the basic components, the theory, and how to effectively use spectroscopic, electrochemical, and chromatographic instrumental techniques.
Evaluate instrumental techniques and determine which is appropriate to use for specific research questions.
Be able to read, interpret, and evaluate analytical methods and techniques used in peer-reviewed literature.
Effectively articulate instrumental methods, analytical analysis techniques, and scientific information both verbally and written.

Lab

Upon successful completion of CHML 431, a student will be able to:

Gain experience performing all steps of the analytical process in a laboratory environment.
Master advanced laboratory techniques necessary for chemical analysis.
Be able to operate and successfully use common analytical instrumentation, covering techniques of spectroscopy, chromatography, electrochemistry, and mass spectrometry.
Understand the principles of operation of the instrumentation used and be able to make appropriate modifications for different types of analyses.
Clearly convey scientific information in both written reports and a poster presentation in a professional and meaningful way.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

At the end of the course students will be able to:

Explain the theoretical principles underpinning the instrumental techniques and their applications.
Assess the appropriateness of the instrumental methods for the analysis of samples in various formats and from complex matrices.
Acquire practical analytical skills and employ a variety of instrumental techniques for the analysis of samples in various formats and from various matrices.
Analyze and present experimental results and draw sound conclusions based on experimental evidence,
Work safely and competently in an analytical laboratory setting.
Contribute to team and group work for scientific investigation and reporting.
Independently integrate concepts and techniques in instrumental analysis and correlate to relevant applications.

Departmental Learning Outcomes

The Chemistry Departmental Learning Outcomes can be found here: http://www.sbu.edu/academics/schools/arts-and-sciences/departments-majors-minors/chemistry/learning-outcomes

Calculators & Other Technology

Lecture

Cell phones are not to be used during class outside of collaborative activities, such as Socrative.

Laptops and tablets are permitted for notetaking but taking notes by hand is strongly recommended.

Lab

Calculators must be scientific. Programmable and graphing calculators are not allowed. Please see the Moodle page or interactive syllabus for suggestions. Phones cannot be used as calculators. You are encouraged to use the same calculator for all parts of chemistry (during class, homework, exams, lab, etc.). Students will receive one warning for cell phone use; a second warning will result in a 10% point reduction to that experiment’s lab report.

Course Pre-reqs

Course Objectives

SLOs

DLOs

Calculators & Other Technology

Class Notes

Keys to Success:

Attend all lectures. No make-ups of exams will be allowed outside of excused absences as defined by St. Bonaventure University.
Plan ahead for your writing assignments and case studies. Late assignments will be penalized.
Keep up with reading and Sapling homework.
Participate! Ask questions both in and out of class. Remember that I am a resource for you to use and that I want you to succeed in my class.
Moodle is a class resource. Lectures, readings, lab assignments will be posted on Moodle. We will be using TurnItIn for all of the writing assignments. Course announcements will be through Email, so make sure that you have an SBU Email account and that you check it regularly. It is the responsibility of every student to VERIFY that the instructor can open any assignment submitted electronically.

Class courtesy is also an important aspect of the course. The use of cellular phones, unrelated discussions, and interruption of the questions of fellow students is discouraged. If you are disruptive to the class, you will be asked to leave in order to maintain a productive learning environment. Every student is welcome in this class. Therefore, sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination are not permitted. Inappropriate remarks will not be tolerated and may result in grade penalties.

Attendance & Absences

Lecture

There is not a grade given for attendance in this class. Attendance information will still be collected. Attendance is critical for success in this class, and it is the student’s responsibility to attend the course as much as possible without putting themselves, classmates, or the instructor at risk. If you are feeling ill, do not attend class.

If your mode of attendance needs to change for any reason, inform your instructor ASAP and provide documentation; remote access via Zoom will be available by the next class day.

Lab

The laboratory is an integral part of all chemistry courses, as it is here that you receive hands on training. Attendance at all lab periods is required. It is the student’s responsibility to attend the course as much as possible without putting themselves, classmates, or the instructor at risk. If you are feeling ill, do not attend class. Contact your instructor ASAP to make other arrangements.

You are expected to be punctual and ready to perform the scheduled experiment. Being ready means that you have read the experiment before coming to class, you have your lab manual, laboratory notebook, ink-pens, and safety goggles, and that you are dressed properly to do the experiment. There will be NO laboratory make-ups.

The beginning of the laboratory session will be used to discuss various aspects of the experiment and to answer questions you may have about the experiment. Therefore, attendance at beginning the session is required in order to perform the laboratory to collect data, and students will not be allowed to attend lab if they arrive late.

Students who have two or more unexcused absences will receive an “F” in the course. Although no mark is assigned for attendance, it is highly likely that continual skipping of laboratories will lead to a low course grade. It is the responsibility of each student to promptly notify the instructor if there is an absence for the laboratory sessions. If a student is unable to make a lab session (due to a university designated excused absence) then the average of the existing labs will be used as a substitute for the missing laboratory grade. All unexcused absences will be given a grade of ZERO!

Attendance & Absences

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