Chromatography Technician Course

Lesson 1 • The Chromatographic Column Model

Introduces theoretical plates, the van Deemter equation, and band broadening sources. Learners use these models to predict and diagnose column performance.

Lesson 2 • Core Thermodynamic Principles

Covers partition equilibria, distribution coefficients, and Gibbs free energy of transfer. Links thermodynamics to practical retention behaviour observed in the lab.

Lesson 3 • Chromatogram Interpretation Basics

Teaches peak identification, retention time, and basic quantitation from a chromatogram. Establishes vocabulary used throughout the entire course.

Lesson 4 • Stationary and Mobile Phase Interactions

Examines polarity, hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals forces governing analyte retention. Provides the chemical basis for choosing phases in later technique chapters.

Lesson 1 • Personal Protective Equipment Use

Specifies correct PPE selection for gloves, eye protection, and respiratory hazards in chromatography. Reinforces that PPE choice depends on the specific chemical and task.

Lesson 2 • Good Laboratory Practice Fundamentals

Introduces GLP principles: traceability, raw data integrity, and controlled documentation. Learners understand how GLP underpins regulatory acceptance of analytical results.

Lesson 3 • Chemical Hazard Recognition

Covers GHS pictograms, safety data sheets, and hazard classes common in chromatography labs. Prepares learners to assess risk before handling solvents and reagents.

Lesson 4 • Laboratory Ergonomics and Housekeeping

Covers workstation organisation, repetitive-strain prevention, and end-of-day cleanup protocols. Good housekeeping directly reduces contamination and instrument downtime.

Lesson 1 • Mobile Phase Selection for TLC

Teaches solvent strength adjustment and eluotropic series for TLC mobile phase development. Learners optimise Rf values through systematic solvent screening.

Lesson 2 • Rf Calculation and Result Interpretation

Teaches Rf measurement, hRf notation, and comparison to reference standards for identification. Learners document and interpret TLC results in a GLP-compliant format.

Lesson 3 • Visualisation and Detection Methods

Introduces UV light, iodine vapour, and chemical spray reagents for spot visualisation. Detection method choice depends on analyte functional groups.

Lesson 4 • TLC Plates and Stationary Phases

Describes silica gel, alumina, and reversed-phase TLC plates and their appropriate applications. Plate selection directly determines separation selectivity.

Lesson 1 • Injection Techniques and Modes

Covers split, splitless, and on-column injection with appropriate use cases for each mode. Injection technique critically affects peak shape and quantitative accuracy.

Lesson 2 • GC Instrument Architecture

Maps the flow path from carrier gas supply through injector, column oven, and detector. Understanding instrument layout is prerequisite to safe and effective operation.

Lesson 3 • GC Columns and Stationary Phases

Compares packed and capillary columns, polarity phases, and film thickness effects on separation. Column selection determines resolution and analysis speed.

Lesson 4 • Temperature Programming Strategies

Teaches isothermal versus programmed temperature runs and their effect on resolution and run time. Learners design temperature programmes to separate complex mixtures efficiently.

Lesson 5 • GC Method Development and Troubleshooting

Guides systematic optimisation of carrier flow, temperature, and injection parameters. Learners diagnose peak tailing, ghost peaks, and baseline drift from real chromatograms.

Lesson 1 • Reversed-Phase HPLC Fundamentals

Covers C18 and C8 stationary phases, aqueous-organic mobile phases, and retention mechanisms. Reversed-phase is the dominant HPLC mode learners will encounter in practice.

Lesson 2 • Gradient Elution Techniques

Teaches gradient programming, dwell volume effects, and re-equilibration requirements. Gradient methods resolve wide-polarity-range samples that isocratic runs cannot handle.

Lesson 3 • HPLC System Components and Flow Path

Identifies pumps, degassers, injectors, columns, and detectors and traces mobile phase flow. System understanding prevents leaks, pressure faults, and contamination.

Lesson 4 • UV-Vis and Diode Array Detection

Explains UV absorbance principles, wavelength selection, and spectral confirmation with DAD. Detection settings directly affect sensitivity and peak purity assessment.

Lesson 5 • HPLC Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Addresses high back-pressure, ghost peaks, retention time drift, and pump seal failures. Preventive maintenance schedules extend column and instrument lifetime significantly.

Lesson 1 • Internal Standard Method

Explains internal standard selection criteria, response factor calculation, and correction for injection variability. Internal standard methods improve precision when sample preparation losses occur.

Lesson 2 • Measurement Uncertainty and Reporting

Introduces uncertainty sources, propagation rules, and expression of results with confidence intervals. Proper uncertainty reporting is required by accreditation and regulatory bodies.

Lesson 3 • External Standard Quantitation

Teaches single-point and multi-point external standard methods with bracketing injection sequences. Learners understand when matrix effects limit external standard accuracy.

Lesson 4 • Calibration Curve Construction

Covers multi-point calibration, linear regression, and R² evaluation for chromatographic data. A valid calibration curve is the foundation of every quantitative result.

Lesson 1 • Validation Documentation and Reports

Structures a complete validation report including protocol, raw data, statistical summaries, and conclusions. Documentation must satisfy both internal SOPs and external regulatory review.

Lesson 2 • Robustness and Ruggedness Testing

Applies Plackett-Burman designs to identify method parameters most sensitive to small changes. Robust methods perform reliably across different operators, instruments, and reagent lots.

Lesson 3 • Limit of Detection and Quantitation

Covers signal-to-noise, blank-based, and calibration-based approaches to LOD and LOQ determination. Learners select the appropriate approach for their matrix and regulatory context.

Lesson 4 • Validation Parameters Overview

Defines specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, LOD, LOQ, and robustness as core validation parameters. Each parameter answers a specific question about method fitness for purpose.

Lesson 5 • Accuracy and Precision Studies

Designs spike-recovery experiments and inter-day precision studies to demonstrate method accuracy. Statistical tools including RSD and t-tests evaluate whether results meet acceptance criteria.

Lesson 1 • Ion Chromatography for Ionic Analytes

Covers suppressed conductivity detection, anion and cation exchange columns, and eluent generation. IC is the primary technique for inorganic ions and small organic acids.

Lesson 2 • GC-MS Operation and Spectral Interpretation

Teaches GC-MS interface design, library searching, and fragmentation pattern interpretation. Learners confirm compound identity and detect co-eluting interferences using mass spectra.

Lesson 3 • Supercritical Fluid Chromatography Overview

Introduces CO2-based mobile phases, modifier addition, and SFC advantages for chiral and lipophilic analytes. SFC bridges GC speed with HPLC versatility for specific compound classes.

Lesson 4 • LC-MS and LC-MS/MS Principles

Explains ESI and APCI interfaces, matrix suppression, and MRM transitions for targeted quantitation. LC-MS/MS is the gold standard for trace-level analysis in complex biological matrices.