Today, chromatography and mass spectometry are by far the most commonly used analytical techniques. A thorough understanding of the chromatographic theory, and operating mechanism of ionisation techniques and mass analysers is essential for method selection, development and optimisation. This is an Advanced course in chromatography and mass spectrometry for chemical analysis of organic compounds. The course is a natural extension of any basic course in analytical chemistry for everybody who is going to use modern hyphenated techniques such as GC-MS, LC-MS(MS) for analysis of complex mixtures.
The course covers chromatographic separation of small molecule organic compounds with special emphasize on the molecular mechanism and theory of analyte-column interactions for gas, supercritical fluid and liquid chromatography, and the theory of ionization, fragmentation, mass-to-charge separation, ion detection and data interpretation for all common mass spectrometers and ionization techniques. The theory is supplemented with laboratory exercises, computer simulations and guest-lectures of selected topics.
After completing the course the student should have acquired
Knowledge - the student has: -A solid theoretical understanding of chromatography and mass spectrometry at an advanced level.
-Some experience in addressing complex analytical problems, and acquaintance with tools to solve them.
-Hands-on experience with advanced and diverse chromatographic systems and mass spectrometers.
Skills - The student will be able to: -Describe, compare and contrast, operate and optimize common ionization techniques and mass analysers
-Describe, perform and evaluate exact mass measurements and fragmentation experiments using mass spectrometers.
-Asses, quantify and compensate for matrix effects in ionization processes.
-Use mass spectrometry and fragmentation theory to annotate mass spectra.
-Describe and use the rate theory, the plate theory, the linear solvent strength model and the hydrophobic subtraction model to optimize chromatography, select and characterize columns and to explain experimental data.
-Use chromatographic theory to predict retention behavior.
-Describe, compare and contrast, operate common chromatographic techniques.
-Optimise in a time- and cost effective manner any chromatographic separation.
-Critically assess reported chromatographic and/or mass spectrometric research.
-Select a suitable analytical platform for the separation, detection and quantification of small molecule organic analytes from complex matrices including selection and assessment of column, mobile phase and chromatographic parameters, ionisation source and mode, and mass analyser parameterisation.
Put the chromatographic and mass spectrometric theory and practice into the context of their own PhD-project research area.
Competences: This course enables the student to plan and perform analysis of complex mixtures using modern chromatographic techniques and high-end detectors, including the selection of method, columns and mode of detection, as well as optimization of chromatographic and mass spectrometric conditions for all common instrumental analytical separation methods.
"Introduction to Modern Liquid Chromatography", by Lloyd R. Snyder, Douglas Kirkland and John W. Dolan, Wiley 2009, and "Mass Spectrometry. Principles and Applications", by Edmond de Hoffmann and Vincent Stroobant, 3rd Ed., Wiley 2007. "High-Performance Gradient Elution. The Practical Application of the Linear-Solvent-Strength Model", by Lloyd R. Snyder and John W. Dolan, Wiley 2007 and “Interpretation of Mass Spectra”, by Fred W. McLafferty and Frantisek Turecek, University Science Books 1993 will be used to some extend. Furthermore, selected articles will be included.
Lectures, student presentations of curriculum (colloquia), guest lectures, hands-on experiments, theoretical exercises, computer simulations. A minor non-mandatory individual project related to your PhD is a possibility.
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Publication of new courses All planned PhD courses at the PhD School are visible in the course catalogue. Courses are published regularly.