Analytical chemistry course

Lesson 1 • Significant Figures and Rounding

Teaches rules for counting and propagating significant figures in calculations. Ensures accurate communication of measurement precision in all analyses.

Lesson 2 • Units, Measurement, and SI System

Covers SI base and derived units, unit conversions, and concentration expressions. Provides the quantitative language used throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • The Analytical Process Overview

Defines the steps from sampling to reporting and their interdependence. Grounds all subsequent techniques in a systematic decision-making framework.

Lesson 4 • Statistical Treatment of Data

Applies descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, and outlier tests to analytical datasets. Connects statistical rigor to quality assurance in reporting.

Lesson 1 • Quality Assurance Fundamentals

Introduces QA/QC concepts including blanks, standards, and control charts. Links laboratory discipline to defensible, reproducible analytical results.

Lesson 2 • Chemical Hazard Recognition

Interprets safety data sheets and hazard pictograms for common laboratory chemicals. Prepares students to assess risk before handling any reagent.

Lesson 3 • Safe Chemical Handling and Storage

Addresses segregation, labeling, and storage of incompatible chemicals. Prevents accidents that would compromise both safety and analytical results.

Lesson 4 • Laboratory Notebook and Documentation

Establishes standards for recording procedures, observations, and calculations in real time. Supports data integrity and traceability required in professional settings.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Titrimetry

Defines equivalence point, endpoint, and titration error and their effect on accuracy. Establishes the conceptual basis for all titration types covered in this chapter.

Lesson 2 • Redox Titrations

Applies oxidation-reduction reactions to quantify analytes using permanganate, dichromate, and iodometric methods. Reinforces balancing redox equations and endpoint detection.

Lesson 3 • Precipitation Titrations

Covers argentometric methods for halide determination using Mohr, Volhard, and Fajans techniques. Completes the titrimetric toolkit with a fourth reaction class.

Lesson 4 • Acid-Base Titrations

Covers strong and weak acid-base systems, buffer regions, and indicator selection. Students construct and interpret titration curves for monoprotic and polyprotic systems.

Lesson 1 • Potentiometry and Ion-Selective Electrodes

Covers the Nernst equation, reference electrodes, and ion-selective electrode response. Enables direct measurement of ion activity in complex matrices.

Lesson 2 • Voltammetric Techniques

Introduces cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse, and stripping voltammetry for trace analysis. Connects electrode kinetics to practical detection of metals and organics.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Gravimetric Analysis

Explains precipitation, filtration, ignition, and calculation steps in gravimetry. Provides a reference method against which other techniques are validated.

Lesson 4 • Conductometry and Impedance

Measures solution conductance for concentration determination and endpoint detection. Extends electroanalytical coverage to non-faradaic measurement principles.

Lesson 1 • Solid-Phase Microextraction and SPME

Introduces fiber and in-tube SPME for solvent-free extraction of volatiles and semi-volatiles. Connects miniaturized extraction to GC and HPLC injection workflows.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Sample Preparation

Explains why sample preparation affects accuracy, precision, and detection limits. Frames all subsequent techniques within a matrix-analyte compatibility decision process.

Lesson 3 • Liquid-Liquid and Solid-Phase Extraction

Applies partition coefficients and sorbent chemistry to isolate and concentrate analytes. Directly supports HPLC and GC analyses requiring clean, concentrated extracts.

Lesson 4 • Cleanup and Concentration Techniques

Covers evaporation, filtration, and column cleanup to remove co-extractants before analysis. Ensures instrument protection and improved signal-to-noise in final measurements.

Lesson 1 • Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy

Uses molecular vibrations for functional group identification and structural confirmation. Connects spectral interpretation to compound identification workflows.

Lesson 2 • Fluorescence and Phosphorescence

Exploits excited-state emission for high-sensitivity trace analysis of fluorescent analytes. Covers quenching, inner filter effects, and synchronous fluorescence applications.

Lesson 3 • UV-Visible Molecular Spectrophotometry

Applies UV-Vis absorption to quantify colored and UV-absorbing analytes in solution. Covers instrument operation, calibration curves, and matrix interference correction.

Lesson 4 • Fundamentals of Spectroscopy

Explains electromagnetic radiation, energy transitions, and the Beer-Lambert law. Provides the theoretical foundation shared by all spectroscopic techniques in this chapter.

Lesson 1 • Quantitative Chromatographic Analysis

Applies external standard, internal standard, and standard addition calibration to chromatographic data. Completes the chapter by linking separation quality to accurate quantification.

Lesson 2 • Gas Chromatography

Covers carrier gas selection, column types, temperature programming, and GC detectors. Enables separation and quantification of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds.

Lesson 3 • Ion Chromatography

Applies ion-exchange and suppressed conductivity detection to anion and cation analysis. Extends chromatographic skills to inorganic ions in water and food matrices.

Lesson 4 • Theory of Chromatographic Separations

Introduces retention, selectivity, efficiency, and resolution as the four pillars of chromatography. Provides the theoretical framework for optimizing any chromatographic system.

Lesson 1 • Measurement Uncertainty Budgeting

Applies GUM-based approaches to identify, quantify, and combine uncertainty components. Produces a complete uncertainty budget for a quantitative analytical method.

Lesson 2 • Validation Parameters and Definitions

Defines selectivity, linearity, range, accuracy, precision, LOD, and LOQ with calculation procedures. Establishes the vocabulary and metrics used throughout method validation.

Lesson 3 • Calibration Strategy and Traceability

Covers single-point, multi-point, and matrix-matched calibration with traceability to reference materials. Links calibration design to measurement uncertainty and result defensibility.

Lesson 4 • Proficiency Testing and Interlaboratory Studies

Interprets z-scores, En numbers, and bias from proficiency testing schemes. Connects external performance assessment to continuous improvement of laboratory quality.