ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY WORKSHOP
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
There are no rules of prerequisites but it is useful to have basic notions of mathematics, (exponential notation, logarithms, equation of first and second degree).
The objective of the final test is to verify the level of achievement of the training objectives, evaluating first of all the possession of the basic cognitive elements and therefore the student's ability to use them independently to solve real problems
The exam will consist of a written test (2h), and an oral test.
Written test: 2 numerical exercises on solving laboratory problems; 1 question of laboratory theory and practice. Each test will be awarded 10 points: to access the oral exam you must obtain at least 5 points for each individual question.
The oral exam will consist of:
1) discussion of the written test
2) short presentation of practical / theoretical topics of the course
3) discussion of reports on practical laboratory tests
The resulting assessment will take account of written, oral and laboratory reports: the relative weight of the tests is distributed so that the laboratory part weighs for 15/30, while the theoretical part, written and oral, lost for the remaining 15/30 . The assessment will take into account the expressive ability and use of the correct terminology, but above all the ability of the student to connect the various topics of the course will be taken into account, not as a mere answer to a specific question, but as an answer to a specific environmental problem. Critical ability rather than theoretical knowledge of topics will therefore be emphasized.
Note: the written test is valid only for the booking appeal.
Acquisition of
• Analytical Chemistry laboratory ability and introduction to theory and practice of modern instrumental analytical techniques.
• Field sampling ability, including pre-treatment and conservation of analytical samples
• judgment autonomy to evaluate and critically interpret, chemical and phyical-chemical experimental data according to analyzed environment.
• adequate skills in statistical treatment and evaluation of analytical data
• “on field” teamwork ability and evaluation of referenced data.
The course is structured in a theoretical part (16h), a part of compulsory exercises preparatory to laboratory activities (16h) and a laboratory part that includes an "in-door" preparatory laboratory (24h) and a field laboratory (24h) . Attendance at the workshops is compulsory according to what is indicated by the Didactic Regulations of the course.
The purpose of the in-door laboratory is to provide the chemical "tools" sufficient to carry out the sequence of operations envisaged by the analytical protocol adopted and to evaluate the results, even with simple statistical tools, evaluating the possible interaction with the lithological structure of the area. sampling.
The theoretical part is structured in lectures on topics related to laboratory applications:
- General introduction to the course; the analytical protocol (3h).
- Chemical equilibria in analytical chemistry; concept of titration; introduction to acid-base titrations (4h) ..
- Introduction to chromatographic techniques; ion chromatography; calibration lines (3h).
- Introduction of spectroscopic techniques; Lambert-Beer law, calibration lines (3h).
- Chemical-physical parameters characteristic of natural water: temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (3h).
The preparatory exercises precede the laboratory experiences and are intended to introduce the student to the correct laboratory practices, including safety protocols:
- NOMENCLATURE: chemical equipment nomenclature; laboratory safety (2h)
- TITRATIONS: primary secondary standards, NaOH and HCl: application lesson on titrations, primary and secondary standards; First laboratory experience explanations: NaOH titration and HCl titration (2h).
- HARDNESS + WINKLER: titrations by complexation and by redox; explanation of laboratory experiences: determination of total hardness and determination of dissolved oxygen (2h).
- WATER ANALYSIS, GENERALITY, SAMPLING: introduction to the protocol for water analysis according to EEA; sampling: protocol and practical procedures (2h).
- WATER ANALYSIS, ION BALANCE; BICARBONATI LAB - GRAN PLOT - IC: end of water analysis protocol; Potentiomentric analysis of alkalinity, Gran's method; IC analysis of natural waters (2h).
- PORTABLE INSTRUMENTS: use of field instruments (2h).
- FIELD TRIP PREPARATION “Gavirate”, “Gravedona”, “Ventina” (2h).
The laboratory provides the following experiences and field trips:
- use of analytical instruments for measuring volumes; use of the technical balance and the analytical balance (4h);
- acid-base titrations: HCl and NaOH (4h + 4h)
- titrations by complexation: determination of Calcium and Magnesium ions in commercial mineral waters (4h);
- use of portable instruments (T, pH, conductivity, DO, colorimetric kits), use of portable kits for the determination of alkalinity and hardness (4h);
- Potentiometric titration of carbonates in natural waters, ion chromatography, Winkler, COD (4h).
field activities (24h)
The course includes a preliminary laboratory (24h) and field activities (24h): the purpose of the in-door laboratory is to provide sufficient "chemical instruments" to carry out the sequence of operations provided by the analytical protocol adopted and to evaluate the results, including simple statistical tools, evaluating the possible interaction with the lithological arrangement of the sampling area.
The laboratory provides the following experiences and field trips:
- use of analytical instruments for measuring volumes; use of the technical balance and the analytical balance (4h);
- acid-base titrations: HCl and NaOH (4h + 4h)
- titrations by complexation: determination of Calcium and Magnesium ions in commercial mineral waters (4h);
- use of portable instruments (T, pH, conductivity, DO, colorimetric kits), use of portable kits for the determination of alkalinity and hardness (4h);
- Potentiometric titration of carbonates in natural waters, ion chromatography, Winkler, COD (4h).
- Field trip: Porto Ceresio (fd 4h*)
- Field trip: Gravedona (fd 8h*)
- Field trip: Alpe Ventina – Chiareggio (SO)(fd 12h*).
* Note: field-trips could be modified or subordinated to passing educational tests and / or replaced by integrated laboratories in case of lack of adequate hospitality facilities or for serious organizational reasons
Interdisciplinary approach will be follow, joining practical experiences (24 hours) and “on field” laboratory (24 hours). Field laboratory in lacustrine and montane environment will stress the sampling problems, the analytical approach on field, data elaboration and, finally, correct analytical report.
Student reception:
study of the teacher, CUBO via Valleggio, 9, Como;
appointment by e-mail on the address of the course labanaliticafcb@uninsubria.it
Slides texts: see-e-learning
Recommended reference text (the chapters being studied are shown on the e-learning page of the course)
- F.W. Fifield & P.J.Haines; Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Blackwell Science
Recommended texts not mandatory
- D.C. Harris, Elements of Analytical Chemistry, Zanichelli
- S.E. Kegley and J Andrews, "The Chemistry of Water", University Science Book.
- L.H. Keith, "Environmental Sampling and Analysis: A Practical Guide", Lewis Publ.