This Course Guide has been taken from the most recent presentation of the course. It would be useful for reference purposes but please note that there may be updates for the following presentation.
CHEM S311
Analytical Chemistry
Welcome to CHEM S311 Analytical Chemistry.
The purpose of the course is to explore different aspects of analytical chemistry for students to understand and appreciate the roles of analytical chemistry in top-end scientific research, as well as pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries by integrating fundamental chemical knowledge acquired from other chemistry courses with the new, more advanced concepts acquired in this course. CHEM S311 is delivered using a custom textbook, supplemented by a Study Guide, the HKMU's Online Learning Environment (OLE) and face-to-face sessions. The study units, readings, activities and assignments in this course will help you master the topics over the coming semester.
Course aims
The overall aims of CHEM S311 Analytical Chemistry are to:
Course learning outcomes
Upon completion of CHEM S311 Analytical Chemistry, you should be able to:
Course overview
The following chart gives a general overview of the course structure.
| Unit | Title | Weeks | Assessment activity (end of unit) |
| 1 | Introduction to analytical chemistry | 2 | Assignment 1 |
| 2 | Measurements, errors, and significant figures | 3 | |
| 3 | Sampling and standards in chemical analysis | 2 | |
| 4 | Sample pretreatment and separation | 3 | Assignment 2 |
| 5 | Classical analytical methods | 5 | |
| Revision | 1 | ||
| Total | 16 | ||
In this custom textbook approach, different learning modules have been carefully selected by the course team from an up-to-date commercially published textbook on analytical chemistry and organized into a specially designed textbook for CHEM S311 students. The textbook introduces basic principles of analytical chemistry and its applications in everyday life. Topics introduced will include principles of analytical chemistry, chemical standards, measurement and error analysis, principles of sampling, sample pretreatment and separation, and finally classical methods of chemical analysis.
In addition to the customized textbook, you will be working through the course using HKMU- produced Study Guide in five units. The Study Guide leads you through your study pathway unit by unit, providing commentary on each textbook chapter and supplementary self-assessment opportunities.
The third main place you will refer to for learning resources during the course is the HKMU's Online Learning Environment (OLE). As well as accessing electronic versions of the study units, you will also be able to discuss topics with other students and your tutor on the course discussion board and submit your assignments online.
This course is further supported by regular face-to-face meetings.
Introductory video
To start off, you should watch the introductory video for the course in the ePub version of this Course Guide or on the OLE. Then turn to the Study Guide for further guidance through the course.
The custom textbook
The custom textbook is based on selected chapters from the following textbook published by Cengage.
| Title of textbook |
| Skoog, D A, West, D M, Holler, F J and Crouch, S R (2014) Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, 9th edn, USA: Cengage. |
The Study Guide will indicate at which point you should read each chapter of the custom textbook.
The Study Guide
The Study Guide serves two functions. First, it provides you with information on the aims, learning outcomes, assessment strategies and means of support for this course. Second, it sets out your study pathway through the customized textbook and other course learning resources, and provides supplementary material and additional self-assessment opportunities. You'll therefore need to keep this document by your side as you work through the course.
The Study Guide is divided into five units. The titles of the units and the textbook chapters they will cover are set out in the following table.
| Unit | Textbook chapters |
| 1 Introduction to analytical chemistry | Skoog et al. (2014) Ch. 1 |
| 2 Measurements, errors, and significant figures | Skoog et al. (2014) Ch. 4–7 |
| 3 Sampling and standards in chemical analysis | Skoog et al. (2014) Ch. 8 and Appendix 8 |
| 4 Sample pretreatment and separation | Skoog et al. (2014) Ch. 31, 35–37 |
| 5 Classical analytical methods | Skoog et al. (2014) Ch. 12–20 |
Don't panic if you don't receive all five units at the same time. It is usual to receive study units in three, or even four, separate batches.
Each unit in CHEM S311 consists of two to five weeks' work. Please remember that you have to plan your own study schedule. It is essential that you complete your assignments on time, as they will prepare you for the examination.
The study units:
The course is structured so that each unit builds upon previous knowledge. Each unit contains various ways to help you study. To get the most out of the course, you should:
If you encounter any problems, please make notes and raise these problems with your tutor as soon as possible.
A brief summary of the five study units in CHEM S311 follows.
Unit 1 Introduction to analytical chemistry
This unit gives an overview of analytical chemistry and its role in modern society. There will be elaboration on the significance of analysis in chemical science. The scope of qualitative and quantitative analyses of different chemicals will be explained. Selection of appropriate analytical methods based on the societal needs of analysis will be discussed in this unit.
Unit 2 Measurements, errors, and significant figures
Scientific measurements are central to all inquiries in natural science. Quantities such as length, weight, and volume are common. For chemistry, the most important quantity is the mole — the amount of the substances directly related to the molecules taking part in chemical reactions. Measurements are inherently associated with uncertainties, sometimes called errors. The statistical methods will be introduced here to describe the accuracy and precision of measurements. Techniques of error studies to estimate uncertainties of measurements will be applied with examples. The confidence interval of data to be reported can be estimated through statistical analysis of measurements.
Unit 3 Sampling and standards in chemical analysis
Methods of sampling will be introduced in this unit. The precautions to reduce sampling error or to confine the error to an acceptable level will be included with examples of different sampling methods. Chemical standards for the analysis of unknown chemical compounds as well as methods of calibration leading to an acceptable result will be discussed.
Unit 4 Sample pretreatment and separation
Samples come from everywhere — solids, liquids and gases. Different sample materials have different properties to be considered. Interfering factors exist in many of the different matrices. All these features pose great challenges for chemists to preserve the integrity and the representativeness of the sample. To enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of the analytical method, methods of sample pretreatment have to be carefully chosen to avoid contamination and loss, and to maintain the validity of analysis.
Unit 5 Classical analytical methods
Basic principles of gravimetric analysis and titrimetric analysis are the main topics of classical techniques included in this final unit. Example analyses such as precipitation gravimetry, acid-base titration, complexation titration, and oxidation/reduction titration will be introduced.
The OLE
CHEM S311 will maintain an OLE presence comprising course notices and a discussion board, and other resources to facilitate the online dimension.
Other online resources
Students may be referred to relevant websites and online videos to supplement their understanding of the materials.
Equipment needed (IT resources)
Students need to have access to a computer with an Internet connection.
E-submission of assignments
Assignments for this course can be found in the OLE. The nature of these assignments is described in the 'Assignments' section of this Course Guide. You are required to complete your assignments and send them via the OLE to your tutor in accordance with the timetable provided in the Presentation Schedule.
Presentation Schedule
The Presentation Schedule for this course can be found on the course OLE. In this schedule, you will see the approximate time for your tutor's receipt of your assignments.
Formal assessment for CHEM S311 consists of two components:
Assignments
Assignments serve three purposes:
The assignments will be designed to let you demonstrate your proficiency throughout the course.
There are two assignments in CHEM S311. The marks for them will count toward your overall assessment score. One of the components to be assessed in Assignment 2 is the lab session. You are required to write a lab report on one of the experiments you attended in this course. The combined score of your assignment marks contributes 50% to the total course mark.
After your tutor marks your assignments, he or she will return them to you so that you can check your learning and clarify any misunderstandings. You should carefully read through the feedback that your tutor gives on your assignments.
How to do your assignments
For each assignment, please carefully read through the question and the instructions. Please make sure you understand what is required before attempting an assignment. If you do not understand an assignment or the instructions, please contact your tutor.
Once you have completed each assignment, you should submit it through the OLE. Please note that online submission is common practice in this course. Please make sure that each assignment reaches your tutor on or before the deadline. However, if you cannot finish your assignment on time, you must contact your tutor before the deadline to discuss the possibility of an extension.
Your tutor may grant you an extension of up to seven days. If more time is needed, you must obtain approval from the Course Coordinator through the course webpage. Please use the online (Web) assignment extension application. No marks will be awarded for any late assignments without prior approval obtained from the Course Coordinator or the Dean.
Assignment schedule
| Assignment | Covers work from | To be submitted at the end of |
| 01 | Units 1, 2 & 3 | Unit 3 |
| 02 | Units 4 & 5 | Unit 5 |
Final examination and grading
The final (closed book) examination for this course will be of three hours' duration and will count for 50% of the total course grade. You should use the time between finishing the last unit and the examination to review the entire course. You might find it useful to review your unit activities, assignments and your tutor's comments on them before sitting for the examination. You will be advised of the examination arrangements after you send in your examination registration card.
The final examination covers information from all parts of the course and will be in a form you have already experienced in activities and assignments.
To earn a pass grade for the course, an overall mark of 40% or better is required, but you must attain an average mark of 40% or better on the assignments and a mark of 40% or better on the final examination. You are therefore required to submit all assignments and to sit for the examination. If, for some good reason, you are not able to complete all assignments or sit for the examination, seek a deferment of studies from the Registry.
The table below summarizes the assessment requirements for CHEM S311.
| Assessment type | Marks |
| Two assignments | 25% each × 2 50% |
| Examination The three-hour examination will comprise short questions and long questions. | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
Several kinds of HKMU support are available to you during the course. They include:
Direct support
The course supports you through telephone tutoring, tutorials and supplementary lectures.
Tutors
Each student is assigned a personal tutor. Your assignments will be marked and commented on by your tutor, who will keep an eye on your progress and assist you if you encounter problems during the course. Marked assignments will be returned to you as soon as possible.
It is good practice to keep a copy of each assignment submitted for marking, so that you can always refer any queries to the tutor during telephone conversations. Hence, please contact your tutor should the following arise:
Telephone tutoring
When you have any difficulties in your studies, you may consult your tutor by telephone in the assigned time slots. The total number of hours that you can receive telephone-tutoring services is up to four hours per week. During the telephone tutoring, you can seek advice on the study topics, guidance in assignments, and help in preparing for the examination.
Tutorials
The course includes five tutorial meetings of two hours each — 10 contact hours in total. The tutorials are conducted to provide an opportunity for you to receive some course progress guidance from the tutors. In addition, you have an opportunity to share your study experiences and difficulties in your peer-to-peer group discussions. You may bring along to the tutorial any queries on the study units, assignments and specimen examination paper. Although the tutorials are not compulsory, you are encouraged to attend the tutorial meetings as far as possible.
Details of the dates, times and location of the tutorials as well as the name and phone number of your tutor will be sent to you in due course.
Supplementary lectures
As a supplement to the tutorials, the course also supplies lectures. An assigned tutor will take care of each lecture, which aims to provide highlights on the course units at appropriate intervals in the course.
Lab sessions
Three experiments have been scheduled for this course. They are selected classical methods with an emphasis on standardization and titration:
Fifty per cent of the marks for the second assignment will be for a lab report on one of the experiments. You are encouraged to attend all of them.
Electronic support
Electronic mail
You may also submit your study problems to your assigned tutor through email.
Email provides flexibility to both tutors and students in overcoming the limitations of telephone tutoring for solving more technical issues.
OLE
As mentioned earlier, a course webpage will be established through the OLE for disseminating the latest information on the course, course announcements, course scheduling, and assignment distribution.
CHEM S311 Analytical Chemistry is designed to help you understand the basic principles of chemical analysis, sample handling and optimization for analysis and reporting. It is a custom textbook based course supported by five study units as well as face-to-face sessions and the course OLE. In order to excel in this course, you must master the course materials and apply the concepts learned. We hope that you achieve great success and satisfaction from this course.
