Objectives of Programme's Learning Outcomes

• Implement an engineering approach dealing with a set problem taking into account technical, economic and environmental constraints
• Identify and describe the problem to be solved and the functional need (of prospective clients) to be met considering the state of technology
• Design, evaluate and optimise solutions addressing the problem
• Identify and acquire the information and skills needed to solve the problem
• Understand the theoretical and methodological fundamentals in science and engineering to solve problems involving these disciplines
• Identify, describe and explain basic scientific and mathematical principles
• Identify, describe and explain the basic principles of engineering particularly in their specialising field
• Understand laboratory techniques: testing, measuring, monitoring protocol, and security
• Select and rigorously apply knowledge, tools and methods in sciences and engineering to solve problems involving these disciplines
• Communicate in a structured way - both orally and in writing, in French and English - giving clear, accurate, reasoned information
• Argue to and persuade customers, teachers and a board both orally and in writing
• Use several methods of written and graphic communication: text, tables, equations, sketches, maps, graphs, etc.
• Present analysis or experiment results in laboratory reports
• Demonstrate thoroughness and independence throughout their studies
• Develop their scientific curiosity and open-mindedness
• Learn to use various resources made available to inform and train independently

Learning Outcomes of UE

The aim of the analytical chemistry and chemometrics course is to enable students to:
- Conduct quantitative analyses based on protocol ;
- Exploit appropriate statistical tools for data processing, be able to present analytical results and be critiqued ;.
- Understand the chemical equilibrium of water and apply this to natural water ;
- Understand the steps of sample preparation and the stages of instrumental analysis ;
- Understand the physical principle and operation of elemental analysis techniques and UV-visible spectroscopy and understand their limitations and potential ;
- Understand the basic principles of chromatography;
- Be able to provide an analytical report;
- Understand the working principles of separation techniques coupled with different detectors and understand their potential and limitations ;
- Understand the process of the validation of an analytical method (life cycle of a method) - Select an analysis method in line with a given analytical problem.

Content of UE

As quantitative analysis plays a major role in many fields of engineering sciences, basic statistical tools for the presentation and validation of the results will be taught. The calibration methods for quantification when using relative methods are the subject of a specific part of this course, which is necessary to understand matrix effects and errors associated with different instrumental analytical techniques. Some methods of sample preparation / concentration are integral to the teaching. This analytical chemistry course is primarily based on the chemistry of aqueous media. A rapid review of the main balances and kinetic aspects of chemical reactions is the basis for the presentation of calco-carbonic equilibrium and complexation reactions (study of complexes present in natural water and complexation reactions for analysis of things, such as different hardnesses). The molecular spectrometric techniques (UV-visible) will complete this part. Both for liquid and solid samples, elemental analyses by atomic emission and absorption spectrometries (flame photometry, ICP, atomic absorption) will be studied on the basis of principles of analysis, instruments, their particularities and various configurations (hydride generation, graphite furnace, ICP-MS, etc.) and possible difficulties for each technique will be discussed (interference, sensitivity, linearity, etc.). In addition, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction will be discussed for the comparison for solid samples analysis.
A final part of the course is dedicated to the introduction of gas and liquid chromatographic methods coupled with universal or specific detectors as part of environmental applications such as quantification of PAH or chlorinated solvents in water or soil. The second part of the course is mainly dedicated to the study of chromatographic separation techniques: gas chromatography, liquid (HPLC, UPLC, gel permeation, ion). The main general and specific are discussed as well as aspects concerning the instruments (injectors, pumps, columns, ...), chromatographic phases, universal detectors (FID, PDA, MS, ...) or specific (NPD, ECD, fluorescence, ...), the work modes (isocratic, gradient LC, ...). The study of different technologies is preceded by a general description of the basic principles of chromatography and significant quantities (resolution, efficiency, number of theoretical plates, ...), these concepts are illustrated further in planar chromatography. To complete the training of chemist students, ion exchange resins, ion-exchange equilibrium and their fields of application are also taught.

Prior Experience

Knowledge of basic chemical reaction, chemical equilibrium conditions and expressions of equilibrium constants and the notions of thermochemistry are required to follow this teaching unit. Optical notions and statistical calculations are also required.

Type of Assessment for UE in Q1

• Written examination
• Graded tests
• N/A

Q1 UE Assessment Comments

Report and laboratory work
20% of the evaluation mark is assigned based on the analytical results and the quality of reports produced during the laboratory session.
20% is assigned based on a quoted exercices.
60 % of the mark is awarded on the basis of a written examination, for which the maximum time is 240 min.

Type of Assessment for UE in Q2

• Presentation and/or works
• Written examination
• Graded tests

Q2 UE Assessment Comments

Report and laboratory work 20% of the evaluation mark is assigned based on the analytical results and the quality of reports produced during the laboratory session. 20% is assigned based on a quoted exercices. 60 % of the mark is awarded on the basis of a written examination, for which the maximum time is 240 min.

Type of Assessment for UE in Q3

• Presentation and/or works
• Written examination

Q3 UE Assessment Comments

Report and laboratory work
20% of the evaluation mark is assigned based on the analytical results and the quality of reports produced during the laboratory session.
80% of the mark is awarded on the basis of a written examination, for which the maximum time is 240 min.

Type of Resit Assessment for UE in Q1 (BAB1)

• N/A

Q1 UE Resit Assessment Comments (BAB1)

Not applicable