2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CHEM2292 Analytical and Applied Chemistry

10 Credits Class Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Briony Yorke
Email: b.a.yorke@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Level 1 of Chemistry or equivalent

Mutually Exclusive

CHEM2291 Analytical and Applied Chemistry

Module replaces

CHEM2291 Analytical and Applied Chemistry

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides a theoretical basis for quantitative and qualitative analytical chemistry, in particular analysis by chromatographic methods such as GC and HPLC. The module develops students’ understanding of solution equilibria and electrochemistry. The module also explores areas of applied chemistry, such as bioanalytical and polymer chemistry. The module includes multiple examples of real-world applications and is assessed in part by a 1500-word essay where students research and describe a relevant area of chemistry.

Objectives

The module seeks to:
i) reinforce students’ understanding of the concept of equilibrium, and show its application in areas including titrations, electrochemistry, separation methods including chromatography, enzyme kinetics and immunoassays
ii) give an introduction to the principles and methods of analytical chemistry, in particular chromatography and the analysis of proteins
iii) develop students’ understanding of the polymer chemistry and
iv) promote student engagement with a specific area of the literature in some depth via researching and writing an essay.

i)-ii) will be achieved using a mixture of lecturing and workshops with additional online resources. Multiple example problems will be used and students will be assessed via an exam.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to
1) understand the principles of solution equilibria; calculate the distribution of chemical species at equilibrium; explain acid-base, precipitation and complexation titrations
2) understand the principles of equilibrium electrochemistry; determine the feasibility and direction of redox processes based on the Nernst equation; explain the electrodes which used in potentiometry
3) understand the principles of interphase equilibria as applied to chemical separations
4) describe the principles and applications of solvent extraction, solid-phase extraction, ion-exchange, HPLC and GC; calculate chromatographic parameters
5) understand the principles of macromolecule-ligand binding, enzyme kinetics, enzyme assays /immunoassays, protein and DNA analysis; relate enzyme assays to kinetics and equilibrium; calculate effects of substrate concentration, inhibitors etc on enzyme kinetics, understand how calibration graphs can be used to derive concentrations in different types of assay; describe the methods used to measure concentrations of proteins and nucleic acids;
6) understand commercially-important polymerisation techniques including free-radical polymerisation, ionic polymerisation, and ring-opening polymerisation.
7) demonstrate knowledge of biopolymers and an appreciation of how they may be exploited to create useful materials.
8) understand the synthesis and application of biodegradable polymers.
9) use the internet for independent study
10) search for, read and summarise published scientific literature via the research and writing of an essay.

Skills outcomes

Problem-solving
Literature searching
Written communication
Synthesising and summarising information
Referencing

Syllabus

- Solution equilibria - pH revisited, polyprotic systems, ampholytes, pI of proteins, complexation equilibria, precipitation equilibria, conditional formation constants, pH and complexometric titrations
- Electroanalytical methods - electrode potentials, Nernst equation, redox equilibria, potentiometry
- Chromatography and separations - phase equilibria, solvent extraction, solid-phase extraction and ion exchange, chromatographic theory, HPLC, Gas chromatography
- Biomolecular analysis - enzyme kinetics, enzyme assays/immunoassays, protein and DNA analysis: 4 lectures/workshops
- Polymer chemistry: Mechanisms for free-radical and ionic polymerisations, ring-opening polymerisations from renewable monomer feedstocks, the properties and products of biopolymers (for instance cellulose, algin, and hyaluronic acid), the use of polymers within biomaterials, the synthesis of biodegradable polyesters and polyamides
- Session on literature searching and referencing.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lectures 25 1 25
Independent online learning hours 5
Private study hours 70
Total Contact hours 25
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 100

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

‘Lectures’ will be a mixture of content delivery and workshops with students working on problems for which worked answers will be provided. Online quizzes will be provided for formative feedback.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Essay Essay / short literature review on a topic relevant to the module 50
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 50

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams
Exam type Exam duration % of formal assessment
Open Book exam 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins 50
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) 50

Open notes – one page of A4 notes allowed

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 7/18/2024

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team