Unit information: Core Environmental Analytical Chemistry in 2026/27

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name Core Environmental Analytical Chemistry
Unit code CHEMM0047
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Professor. Bull
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

Analytical Data Analysis

Advanced Environmental Analytical

Practical

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department School of Chemistry
Faculty Faculty of Science

Unit Information

Why: Understanding core concepts in analytical science such as measurement precision and accuracy, whether calibration is required or whether the technique is an absolute technique is fundamental. How do we analyse data? Why might we analyse different datasets differently, based on sample size? Whether the data are continuous or discrete? Once we have mastered these basics, we can progress to more complicated analysis techniques.

How: This unit is compulsory for this MSc and provides tools and training using real instruments and real data (setting the student up for future units) that prepare students for future units in this course.

Your learning on this unit

ILOs

  • Create an experimental design
    − formulate an analytical strategy (fundamental steps, analytical methods)
  • Explain core principles of analysis
    − determine systematic and random errors
    − estimate errors
  • Appraise and deploy core analytical techniques
  • Develop and apply calibration and validation of analytical methods

Content

  • Overview of environmental compartments
  • Sample collection, storage
  • Sample pre-treatment
  • Spectroscopic techniques: NMR, IR, UV/vis, X-ray
  • Complex mixtures: chromatographic theory
  • GC-FID / GC-ECD
  • HPLC NP/RP/ion exchange/size exclusion
  • Basic GC-MS, LC-MS
  • Uncertainty analysis
  • Generating data for and constructing calibrations

How you will learn

Taught sessions include, video, practical, tutorials (small groups), workshops, virtual learning tools.

How you will be assessed

This unit will be assessed by a MCQ test (pass/fail, threshold 50%)

Students will have ample opportunity to work through example MCQ tests, which will contain basic calculations, testing of basic knowledge and graphical interpretation.

Students can retake the test to obtain a pass. We will analyse results and work with students in areas where they may have struggled to ensure that they are well placed to carry on with the course.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CHEMM0047).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.

The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.