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

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

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

• describe advanced instrumental techniques such as multi-dimensional chromatographic separation, mass spectrometric separation and detection as well as interpretation of mass spectrum for both targeted and non-targeted analyses,
• describe and discuss the principles, benefits and limitations of bioanalytical and chemical methods,
• explain a comprehensive understanding of why and how the method validation is used for quality assurance and quality control,
• demonstrate how stable isotopes can be used in environmental forensics, and
• describe multivariate statistics and dimension reduction methods commonly used in environmental analytical chemistry.

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

• apply relevant multi-dimensional chromatographic separations to resolve issues related to a complex mixture,
• use suitable advanced methods to resolve issues related to a complex mixture and generate data that link contamination with toxicity, metabolism, and its origin,
• interpret the analysis results in complex mixture,
• choose appropriate multivariate statistical methods and other techniques for specific datasets, and
• present and discuss results (written and oral) 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,
• evaluate and compare the performance of multivariate statistical methods for environmental forensics datasets, and
• plan and implement environmental forensic investigations and present the results both orally and writing in accordance with the instructions, in a linguistically correct, well-structured and understandable way.

Main content of the course

The course provides more in-depth knowledge of various multidimensional chromatography techniques to separate complex mixtures and structural isomers. Emphasis will be given on theories and practical use of high-resolution MS for the non-target analysis of organic pollutants in complex environmental samples. The application of various stable isotope analyses for source tracking and their use in environmental forensics is also discussed. Students will be given in-depth knowledge of advanced techniques in toxicological and bioanalytical methods, including mass balance calculations. Advanced data processing with various statistical methods including pattern recognition, multivariate statistics and experimental design will be covered. Data from various analytical methods mainly on spectroscopy will be processed. Data reduction techniques such as cluster analysis, discriminant analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression are also discussed during the course.

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

This module provides more in-depth knowledge of different multidimensional chromatography techniques for separating complex mixtures and enantiomers. Great emphasis will be placed on theories and practical use of high-resolution MS for unconditional analysis of organic pollutants in complex environmental samples. The application of various stable isotope analysis for source tracking and their use in environmental forensics are also discussed.

Module 2: Chemometrics, 3,5 Credits

This module will deal with advanced statistical methods including pattern recognition, multivariate statistics and experimental design. Data from various analysis methods such as standard and NIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and mass spectrometry will be processed. Complete and reduced factor trials, cluster analysis, discriminant analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Square (PLS) are some methods that are also discussed during the course.

Module 3: Bioanalytical Method II, 4 Credits

This module will be given more in-depth knowledge of advanced techniques in toxicological and bioanalytical methods and analysis. Focus will be on principles of different bioanalytical methods and suitable applications, mass balance calculations and principles of effect directed analysis. Great emphasis will be placed on technologies that are used and developed in the research conducted in the subject at MTM Research Centre.

Teaching methods

Teaching consists of lectures, practical laboratory work, case studies, computer-based exercises and practical field work. The course uses problem based learning (PBL).

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.

Examination methods

Module 1: Advanced Analytical Chemistry II

Advanced Analytical Chemistry II, Theory, 3 credits (Code: A001)
Written examination

Advanced Analytical Chemistry II, Practicals, 4.5 credits (Code: A002)
Oral and written reporting individually or in groups (decided by the course coordinator) and active participation at case-based group work meetings, practical laboratory work and seminars.

Module 2: Chemometrics

Chemometrics, Theory, 2.5 credits (Code: B001)
Written assignment and oral examination

Chemometrics, Practicals, 1 credits (Code: B002)
Seminars and laboratory work presented in writing and in some cases orally.

Module 3: Bioanalytical Method II

Bioanalytical Method II, Theory, 2 credits (Code: C001)
Written assignment

Bioanalytical Method II, Practicals, 2 credits (Code: C002)
Oral and written reporting individually or in groups (decided by the course coordinator) and active participation at case-based group work meetings, practical laboratory work and seminars.

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

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

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 prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

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

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

Advanced Analytical Chemistry II, Theory
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Advanced Analytical Chemistry II, Practicals
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Chemometrics, Theory
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Chemometrics, Practicals
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Bioanalytical Method II, Theory
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Bioanalytical Method II, Practicals
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the whole course, a minimum of grade E is required for all theoretical modules as well as Pass (G) on the practical module. To arrive at a course grade, the grades awarded for each theoretical examination assignment, grades 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 theoretical modules included on the course.

Specific entry requirements

4 credits from Analytical Methods In Environmental Forensics I, second cycle, 15 credits or knowledge of i) statistics including probability and descriptive statistics; ii) principles of separation theory and mass spectrometry including its qualitative and quantitative analyses using mass spectrometry; and iii) toxicological and bioanalytical methods such as cell-based methods for mechanism-specific effects.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Reading list and other teaching materials

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

Additional Reading

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

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

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

Module 2: Chemometrics, 3,5 Credits

Additional Reading

Venables, W.N., Smith, D.M., R Development Core Team (electronic edition, 2008)
An Introduction to R: Notes on R, A Programming Environment for Data Analysis and Graphics

Module 3: Bioanalytical Method II, 4 Credits

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.