Analytical Methods in Environmental Forensics I, Second Cycle, 15 credits

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
After completing the course the student should be able to

• describe and explain theoretical concepts in chemical and bioanalytical methodologies in environmental forensics,
• discuss how properties of chemical substances affect their analysis with respect to sampling, sample handling, sample preparation and analysis,
• describe why and how the method validation is used for quality assurance and quality control,
• compare the analysis results to the context of environmental toxicology and international environmental treaties, and
• describe various methods used for descriptive statistics and graphical visualizations for data analysis.

Skills and abilities
After completing the course the student should be able to

• motivate the choice of methods, plan and implement environmental forensic investigations,
• plan and carry out validation and quality assurance of the methods,
• apply relevant methods to generate data that link chemical contamination with toxicity and its origin,
• interpret the analysis results in complex chemical mixtures,
• use various basic statistical analyses to describe and explore different environmental forensics datasets, and
• present and discuss results (written and orally) in environmental forensic investigations.

Evaluation ability and approach
After completing the course the student will have the ability to

• identify and define a scientific problem,
• seek and critically examine scientific information,
• evaluate the analysis results with their respective method validation and quality assurance data,
• compare different basic statistical analyses and tests for different environmental forensics datasets, and
• plan and implement environmental forensic investigations and present the results both orally and in writing in accordance with the instructions, in a linguistically correct, well-structured and understandable way.

Content

The course deals with analytical methods for bioanalytical and chemical analyses and interpretation of complex chemical mixtures. The course describes complementary methodologies and techniques to obtain results that link to identification, source elucidation, toxicity and transformation of environmental contaminants. Emphasis will be placed on sampling techniques and analysis of environmental samples as these are essential in environmental forensic investigations. Students learn quantitative analysis using mass spectrometry (MS) for both organic and inorganic substances. They also study standardized bioanalytical methods, mainly cell-based methods for measuring mechanism-specific effects of organic substances and fish embryo tests to study developmental toxicological effects. Students learn and apply relevant quality assurance and quality control measures in an environmental forensic investigation as well as project management. The course also links probability and descriptive statistics with chemical and biological data including various graphical visualization techniques to convey scientific information in a clear and concise manner. Topics in relation to sustainable development will be discussed.

Module 1: Advanced Analytical Chemistry I, 7,5 Credits

This module includes both theoretical and practical elements on environmental sampling and targeted chemical analysis, mainly using mass spectrometry (MS) for both organic and inorganic substances. Students are also taught quality assurance and quality control as well as project management.

Module 2: Descriptive Statistics, 3,5 Credits

This module deals with probability, introductory statistics and descriptive statistics. Self-produced results from the other modules and assigned datasets will be used. Theoretical knowledge is interspersed with practical elements to investigate and statistically describe the results from analytical science experiments. Furthermore, various graphic visualization techniques will be introduced to the students to convey scientific information in a clear and concise way.

Module 3: Bioanalytical Method I, 4 Credits

This module includes both theoretical and practical elements on standardized bioanalytical methods, mainly cell-based methods for measuring mechanism-specific effects of organic substances and fish embryo testing to study developmental toxicological effects. Students are also taught data interpretation, quality assurance and quality control. The use of bioanalytical methodology for the identification of environmental toxicants will be discussed.

Examinations and grades

Module 1: Advanced Analytical Chemistry I

Advanced Analytical Chemistry I, Theory 1, 2 credits (Code: A006)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Advanced Analytical Chemistry I, Theory 2, 1.5 credits (Code: A004)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Advanced Analytical Chemistry I, Practicals, 4 credits (Code: A005)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Module 2: Descriptive Statistics

Descriptive Statistics, Theory, 2.5 credits (Code: B001)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Descriptive Statistics, Practicals, 1 credits (Code: B002)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Module 3: Bioanalytical Method I

Bioanalytical Method I, Theory 1, 1.5 credits (Code: C003)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Bioanalytical Method I, Theory 2, 1 credits (Code: C004)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Bioanalytical Method I, Practicals, 1.5 credits (Code: C005)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the whole course, a minimum of grade E is required for the modules A004, B001 and C004 as well as Pass (G) on all other modules. To arrive at a course grade, the grades awarded for module A004, B001 and C004, grade A-E, are first converted to the numerical values 5-1. An average value is then calculated, also taking into account the number of credits for each module in relation to the total number of credits for the course. The course grade is thus awarded by means of a weighted average of the modules A004, B001 and C004. In cases where the weighted average grades is exactly between two grade levels, the higher grade is given.

Modes of assessment

Module 1: Advanced Analytical Chemistry I

• Advanced Analytical Chemistry I, Theory 1 (code A006): Written exam
• Advanced Analytical Chemistry I, Theory 2 (code A004): Written assignment
• Advanced Analytical Chemistry I, Practicals (code A005): Ongoing examination in forms of practical labs, presentation of results and laboraory work

Module 2: Descriptive Statistics

• Descriptive Statistics, Theory (code B001): Written assignment and oral examination
• Descriptive Statistics, Practicals (code B001): Ongoing examination in forms of practical labs and presentation of results

Module 3: Bioanalytical Method I

• Bioanalytical Method I, Theory 1 (code C003): Written exam
• Bioanalytical Method I, Theory 2 (code C004): Written assignment
• Bioanalytical Method I, Practicals (code C005): Ongoing examination in forms of practical labs and presenstion of results

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

A first-cycle qualification comprising 90 credits in natural science with 60 credits in chemistry. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

The language of instruction is English.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Reading list and other learning resources

Module 1: Advanced Analytical Chemistry I, 7,5 Credits

Reference literatures

Lebedev, Albert T. (Latest edition)
Comprehensive Environmental Mass Spectrometry
ILM Publications

O'Sullivan, Gwen & Sandau, Court (Latest edition)
Environmental Forensics for Persistent Organic Pollutants
Elsevier

Petrisor, Ioana Gloria (Latest edition)
Environmental Forensics Fundamentals - A Practical Guide
CRC Press

Module 2: Descriptive Statistics, 3,5 Credits

Reference literatures

Venables, W.N., Smith, D.M., R Development Core Team (Latest edition)
An Introduction to R: Notes on R, A Programming Environment for Data Analysis and Graphics

Module 3: Bioanalytical Method I, 4 Credits

Reference literatures

Escher, B., Neale, P. & Leusch, L. (Latest edition)
Bioanalytical tools in water quality assessment
IWA publishing, London, UK
ISBN: 9781789061987 (eBook)

Suggested reading and relevant journals will be provided.

Additions and Comments on the Reading List
Students are required to select additional reading for the course. A list of suggested reading, relevant journals, and databases will be added. Laboratory instructions will also be available.