NWNR100028 Analytical chemistry

Type
course with non-continuous assessment
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Causon, Tim , Luef, Christoph , Hann, Stephan , Steininger-Mairinger, Teresa , Troyer, Christina
Organisation
Analytical Chemistry
Offered in
Sommersemester 2026
Languages of instruction
Deutsch
Content

Structure of an analytical process; parameters for calculating and evaluating analytical results; determination of measurement uncertainty and error propagation

Gravimetry: prerequisites and principles of implementation, explained using discussed examples

Titrimetric analysis: prerequisites and principles of implementation, as well as types of titration, illustrated with examples

Fundamentals and physical laws underlying electroanalytical methods: potentiometry, conductometry, voltammetric methods, electrogravimetry

Fundamental properties and physical principles of electromagnetic radiation, along with techniques in atomic spectroscopy (atomic emission spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray-based methods) and molecular structure analysis methods (infrared spectroscopy, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy), including instrumentation and application examples

Key concepts and parameters of mass spectrometry (elemental and molecular), instrumentation (ion sources and mass analyzers), application examples, fragmentation of ionized (intact) molecules, and differences between NMR and MS in structure elucidation

Fundamentals and parameters of chromatography, including separation methods and interactions, with practical examples of application areas
Previous knowledge expected

Completion of NWNR100001 Introduction to Chemistry (Lecture) and NWNR100002 Introduction to Chemistry (Tutorials) is required.

Attendance of the course NWNR100010 General and Physical Chemistry (Lecture) is recommended.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

After completing this course, students will be able to:

Describe the structure of an analytical process, explain and determine measurement uncertainty and error propagation, and distinguish between systematic and random errors.

Explain the fundamentals of titrimetric analysis and select suitable visual or instrumental end-point detection methods. Define the terms titration, titer, and standard solutions.

Sketch various electroanalytical apparatuses, including electrodes, and describe the corresponding methods (potentiometry, conductometry, voltammetry, electrogravimetry, coulometry).

Discuss basic properties and physical principles of electromagnetic radiation, classify and explain atomic and molecular spectroscopy methods, and describe related instrumentation.

Recall the key concepts of mass spectrometry (including molecular fragmentation), calculate relevant parameters, and explain the differences between elemental and molecular mass spectrometry, including their instrumentation.

Explain the fundamentals of chromatography and various separation methods, including the underlying physicochemical processes; describe how technical parameters affect chromatographic performance.

Describe the technical setup of the analytical methods discussed and explain their limitations and advantages.

Apply basic knowledge gained from previous lectures and deepen their understanding in the accompanying Analytical Chemistry Lab Exercises.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.