Curricular Unit:			Code:
Instrumental Methods of Analysis			146MIA
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
2	Undergraduate	Clinical Analyses and Public Health	6 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
		Portuguese	78
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
Most routine analytical practices used in health sciences, food and environmental sciences and numerous industrial areas are now based on instrumental methods of analysis. In fact, the determination of analytical species through classical methods has become less relevant because they lack sensitivity, selectivity and speed and their precision is easily altered. The aim of this course is to describe some of the analytical instruments most frequently used. Specificities of each equipment, their application and the precautions that need to be considered for its correct use are carefully examined.
Syllabus:
1. Introduction to Instrumental methods of analysis 2. Quantitative aspects of spectrochemical analysis 3. UV/Vis spectrophotometry 4. Atomic spectroscopy 5. Potentiometry 6. General aspects of chromatographic separations 7. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) 8. Gas Chromatography (GC)
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
Analytical procedures, now used in the medical and in numerous industrial areas are based on the so called instrumental methods of analysis. Throughout the years, the determination of species by the traditional methods became less relevant because they lack selectivity, sensitivity, are time-consuming and their precision is easily altered. In fact, most of everyday analysis performed in clinical chemistry, haematology, immunochemistry and microbiology are based on spectrophotometric methodologies, potentiometric procedures or chromatographic measurements. This course seeks to provide a solid theoretical background on the main principles regarding the different analytical techniques. This training is then enhanced in practical classes where several relevant determinations in clinical chemistry are carried out. The course constitutes an important tool for the future laboratory performance of students enabling them to develop skills which will allow them to obtain good quality results.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
The learning period will consist of theoretical, theoretical-practical and practical classes. Explanation of main theoretical concepts and guidance for autonomous study will be given in theoretical classes. Common laboratory instruments are studied carefully resorting to the use of charts and graphs. These contents are developed in theoretical-practical classes through the resolution of a series of questions and numerical problems. Practical classes include the execution of a series of experimental works whose completion will demonstrate some of the most important concepts studied. The theoretical and theoretical-practical components will be evaluated through the execution of two written tests (with a weighing coefficient of 80% in the final score of the discipline). The practical evaluation is based on the students’ performance during practical classes and the quality of the reports delivered. Final classification will be attributed only when all components are approved.
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course, students should be able to recognize and describe some of the most important analytical tools used in contemporary quantitative analysis. Main operation principles of several methodologies should be fully understood and the main components of each instrument and its characteristics easily described. The knowledge of each equipment allows information of its limitations/specificities and enables the careful and strict control of all instrumental parameters that limit the quality of analysis. Experimental treatment of data obtained should be clearly understood in order to appropriately process analytical signals and obtain results with adequate precision and accuracy. Thus being, the course of Instrumental Methods of Analysis is divided into two essential components. In the theoretical part the concepts inherent to physical and chemical phenomena involved in instrumental analysis (ranging from electronics, electrochemical to optical light processes) are taught. In the laboratory practice component, students will perform several determinations within the clinical chemistry area using spectrophotometric, potentiometric and chromatographic procedures, thus having the opportunity to work and learn about all these instruments.
Reading:
Christian, G. D., Dasgupta, P. K. e Schug, K.A. (2014). Analytical Chemistry. 7ª ed., John Wiley & Sons. Skoog, D. A., Holler, F. J. e Crouch, S. R. (2009). Principios de Análisis Instrumental. 6ª ed., McGraw-Hill. Rouessac, F. e Rouessac, A. (2007), Chemical Analysis: Modern Instrumental Methods and Techniques. 2ª ed. , John Wiley & Sons. Harris, D. C. (2010). Quantitative Chemical Analysis. 8ª ed., W. H. Freeman and Company. Higson, S. P. (2009). Química Analítica, McGraw-Hill. Skoog, D. A., West, D. M., Holler, F. J. e Crouch, S. R. (2015). Fundamentos de Química Analítica, Cengage Learning.