0 or 3 credits
Fall 2026 Lecture Upper Division
Quantitative measurements on complex chemical systems that show matrix effects or require isolation of a component prior to its determination; general approaches to quantitative problems at the trace level; solution phase equilibria, critical comparisons of competitive methods with emphasis on principles of optical spectroscopy, electrochemistry, chromatography, and mass spectrometry; recognition and evaluation of possible sources of error; approaches for optimizing conditions to attain prescribed levels of accuracy and precision. This is a lecture course and should be taken with CHM 32120.
Learning Outcomes1Explain the fundamental principles, strengths, limitations, and figures of merit (sensitivity, selectivity, linear range, limits of detection/quantification, accuracy, precision) for optical/fluorescence spectroscopy, electroanalytical methods, chromatography, and mass spectrometry.
2Select and justify the most appropriate analytical method and sample-preparation strategy for a given quantitative problem, considering matrix effects, required detection limits, throughput, and cost.
3Know how to process and visualize analytical data using Excel (or equivalent).
4Quantify and propagate experimental uncertainty: calculate random and systematic errors, limits of detection/quantification, confidence intervals, and combined uncertainties.
5Apply statistical tests (e.g., t-test, ANOVA, regression diagnostics) to evaluate data quality, method performance, and differences between datasets.
Prerequisites
made by Purdue students.