KEMS3800 Advanced laboratory excercises of inorganic structural and synthetic chemistry (1–12 cr)
Description
Content
Advanced Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Work focuses on synthetic inorganic chemistry as well as different characterization methods and instruments used in chemical analysis. The course consists of pick-and-choose modules that typically concentrate on one particular technique like the handling of air and moisture sensitive compounds, molecular modelling, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and different spectroscopic methods such as atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy. Students can register for all modules (except mini project work) through Korppi's teaching groups after which further information about the module (pre-assignments, supervision and scheduling) can be obtained from its instructor. Registrations must be made well in advance to allow sufficient time for all practical arrangements.
Module subjects and ECTS credits:
1.Single crystal structure determination (starting from a pre-measured dataset), 2 ECTS credits
- prerequisite for the module is successful pass of the Principals of X-ray diffraction methods KEMS3250
2. Preparation and characterization of paramagnetic materials, 2 ECTS credits
3. Characterization of solid materials with X-ray radiation based methods, 1 + 1 ECTS credits
- Module can be made in 1 or 2 credits
4. Synthesis and characterization of ionic liquids and their precursor salts, 2 ECTS credits
5. Molecular modelling, 1 + 1 ECTS credits
- module can be made in 1 or 2 credits
6. Handling of air and moisture sensitive compounds, 2 ECTS credits
7. Mini project, 2 - 6 ECTS credits *
* Mini projects offer a possibility to work in a research group for a short period of time and conduct independent, yet supervised, research on a given topic. ECTS credits earned depend on the duration of the mini project. For example, full-time work (35 h/week) in the laboratory for one month is equivalent to 5 ECTS credits. Students can do either one or several mini projects and can also split their working time among different research groups. Further details about mini projects can be obtained from research group leaders (Matti Haukka, Jari Konu, Manu Lahtinen ja Heikki Tuononen).
Completion methods
In addition to the practical laboratory work, the completion of each module requires a written laboratory report and/or presenting results in a research seminar. Laboratory reports (written by each student) will be read by the instructor who also marks the reports and gives feedback (graded passed-failed). Seminar presentations (15 minutes) take place at research group meetings and are not evaluated. However, each presenter receives individual feedback from the participants.
Registration:
Students can register for all modules (except mini project) through Korppi's teaching groups after which further information about the module (pre-assignments, supervision and scheduling) can be obtained from its instructor during the start date of the module.
Workload:
Most modules can be completed within one to two weeks' time. The working hours for each day vary considerably, which generally allows active participation at lectures concomitantly with the laboratory work.
The ECTS credits listed for each module include not only the time spent in the laboratory but also the time used for pre-assignments (reading laboratory manuals, searching for relevant literature and project planning) as well as for writing laboratory reports and/or preparing and presenting seminar talks.
Assessment details
For each module credits: successful passing of experimental work and corresponding report.
Learning outcomes
- is familiar with safe laboratory working practices, different structural and synthetic chemistry oriented methods, as well as with common extraction, purification and characterization techniques.
- Understands the applicability of various structural chemistry oriented characterization techniques, and has some basic knowledge on how to utilize them.
- Understands the theoretical basis of the most common methods in structural chemistry and knows how to apply them to resolve simple analytical problems.
- Knows how to handle air - and moisture sensitive materials, and can apply the techniques to perform simple air- and moisture sensitive synthesis.
- Has basic knowledge on routine molecular modelling programs and methods, and can perform simple modelling tasks.
Additional information
Yearly, periods 1-4 and summer period. Working time for the mini project needs to be arranged with the group leader (no registration in KORPPI)