Chemical Laboratory Analysis

LAQ-1004: Analytical Chemistry

This course serves as an introduction to the fundamental analytical techniques required for performance in chemical laboratory-related work. Students learn the basics of performing quantitative analysis on samples based on classical volumetric techniques and modern instrumental methods. The course covers the theoryand methodology for the tests that will be done in the associated laboratory course. Students evaluate the process of chemical measurement from sampling through analysis to the interpretation ofresults. Students learn about the use of the significance of numerical values, choosing an appropriate method of analysis, basic principles of quality laboratory practice. Evaluations of important areas such as water quality, pharmaceuticals, and food & drink. A variety of techniques are introduced, including volumetric analysis, potentiometry and spectrophotometry.

LAQ-1104: Normative Standards I

Students are introduced to the Normative Standards which are the internationally accepted documents that describe the current state of the art and science on how to manage and operate a modern analytical testing laboratory. The purpose of this course is to introduce and study these normative documents and Standard Operating Procedures for the purposes of managing their laboratory in the LCACL course.

LAQ-1206: Laboratory I

Analytical chemistry involves detection, identification and quantitation of the chemical composition of unknown samples. This is the first in a series of laboratory courses designed to introduce students to the science of chemical analysis based on classical analytical chemistry and modern instrumental methods including analysis of metals, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, chromatography and mass spectrometry. In this hands-on laboratory course, students learn how to perform analytical procedures including volumetric analysis, gravimetric analysis, potentiometry, wet chemistry and UV-visible spectrophotometry. Students perform several commonly used analytical tests on a variety of samples. Several different experiments will be performed simultaneously each session to allow lab experiments to be performed.

MTH-1703: Laboratory Mathematics I

Laboratory Mathematics is an introductory course in chemistry emphasizing elementary principles and applications of mathematics intended for students in chemical science. Accredited laboratories use many mathematical and statistical methods to manage the laboratory. This course discusses the mathematics used during routine operations of the testing laboratory. The two concepts necessary to communicate are that students make technical evaluations on various projects and discuss management decisions they would make based on the technical evaluations. Topics include the importance of quality control, concepts of completeness, comparability and representativeness, random/systematic errors, data analysis, calculation of standard deviations and how they impact laboratory data quality, outliers, method detection limits and control limits, uncertainty and carry out uncertainty calculations for volume calibrations and calibration standards, linearity/non-linearity of a calibration curve.

JSS-1001: Job Search and Success

This course is designed to give the student an understanding of how to conduct a job search and how to succeed in the work place. This includes self-reflection, effectively designing a cover letter and resume, online job searches utilizing social media, behavioural based interviewing as well as marketing oneself effectively in a job interview. Job safety, successful work strategies and harassment and discrimination plan of action is also discussed.

LAQ-2004: Analytical Chemistry II

This serves as an introduction to many analytical techniques that are useful in chemical analysis related work. Students cover such topics as solvent extraction, the flame photometer, atomic emission spectrometer, fourier transform infrared and near-infrared, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis and interlaboratory events. The course covers the theory and methodology for the techniques addressed in the associated laboratory course.

LAQ-2104: Normative Standards II

Building on Normative Standards I, this course explores new items in the language of analytical chemistry in the VIM3. Students use documents for laboratory audits, assessments and management reviews of the laboratory quality system in small groups, discussing and formulating their own documents and Standard Operating Procedures for the purposes of managing a quality industrial laboratory. Students attend a local laboratory to discuss current practices with industry professionals.

LAQ-2206: Laboratory II

Whether performing tests on our air, water, soils or consumer products, analytical chemistry affects our lives in many ways not the least of which is the monitoring of wastewater treatment plants to ensure that the public health is protected, and that wastewater is not released untreated. In this laboratory course students will review important requirements and key exemptions for Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) in Canada. They will obtain hands-on experience performing qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis, compare chemical extraction techniques, learn about the principles of chromatography via paper and thin layer chromatography, as well as calibrate and test samples using an atomic emission spectrometer and UV-Vis. Students perform several commonly used analytical tests on a variety of samples.

MTH-2703: Laboratory Mathematics II

Chemistry uses its own "terms" and ways of expressing problem-solving. Some of the mathematical features of chemistry include exponents, scientific notation, orders of operation, algebra, unit conversion, and dimensional analysis, which have many applications for analysing the obtained data in the laboratory. This course introduces students to the mathematics used during analytical method development, validation and troubleshooting operations of the testing laboratory. Topics in this course include the application of statistical software in solving laboratory problems, assessing the standard addition method and its uncertainty, assessing the internal standard method and its uncertainty, recovery correction, Z Score plots, Youden Sample Plot, assessing the means, assessing the systematic error using the confidence interval for the mean, paired t-test, an F Test.

Academic Break

LAQ-3003: Analytical Chemistry III

This course serves as an evaluation of the utility of various common laboratory instruments and analyzers such as various types of chromatographs and mass spectrometers. The course covers the theory and methodology for the tests done in the associated laboratory course.

LAQ-3103: Normative Standards III

Students explore information available from various international laboratory accreditation bodies and mutual recognition agreements based on ISO/IEC Standard 17025. The ISO 9001 Quality System and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OEDC) systems are also introduced. Students attend a local laboratory to discuss current practices with industry professionals.

LAQ-3206: Laboratory III

Chemistry has changed our world in the past decades. Chemical innovations range from plastics, semiconductors, power generation, petroleum refining, agricultural products and air conditioning. It has also given us a legacy of toxic chemicals such as PCBs, pesticides, Freons and other hazardous substances. The goal of this course is to provide hands-on and simulator training in sample collection, sample preparation, chromatographic separation and detection techniques applicable to analysis of toxic organic chemicals. In this hands-on laboratory course, students perform the more complex analytical procedures including High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography combined with Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). Students perform several commonly used analytical tests on a variety of samples. To maintain smaller lab groups, all experiments will be performed each session, with some students focusing on hands-on experiments while others will use the simulators or answer questions to develop simulated methods.

MTH-3703: Laboratory Mathematics III

Mathematical confidence and problem-solving ability are the essential factors in predicting students' success in chemical science and technology. This course identifies the advanced mathematics used while dealing with systematic error and situations involving multiple laboratories. In addition, features of several statistical tools for doing analysis will be investigated and compared. Topics presented in this course include formulating a plan on how to qualify new analysts, robust statistics in data analysis, comparing methods of dealing with low-level data (i.e., non-detects), discussing variable methods for evaluation of blanks, ruggedness testing (i.e., factorial testing), Identifying the use of analysis of variance (ANOVA) in solving laboratory problems, statistical considerations for sampling, uncertainty in reporting data.

PHL-1253: Ethical Leadership and Critical Decision Making

This interdisciplinary course combines insights from the field of business with social psychology and applied ethics to challenge students with an introspective look at some of today's most important ethical dilemmas. Students in PHL-1253 learn that the ethical standards employed by businesses and corporations ultimately concern the quality of human behaviours in those organizations. Human behaviour evolves from many influences: our past relationships, the ways we think and feel, how we respond to pressures in various social contexts, and how we deliberate in our daily thoughts and actions. Each of these influences is intimately involved with the quality of our ethical decision making.

LAQ-4004: Analytical Chemistry IV Laboratory Analyzers

This course serves as an evaluation of the utility of various common laboratory instruments and analyzers such as atomic absorption and emission spectrometers and radiochemical instruments. The course covers the theory and methodology for the tests done in the associated laboratory course.

LAQ-4103: Normative Standards IV - ISO 14000

Students are introduced to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard, the impact of this standard on laboratory operations and the field of environmental auditing. Included is a student-led environmental audit of their Analytical Chemistry Laboratory and the solid waste of the building. The waste audit of the building provides some material for the concurrent capstone project. This course also introduces students to the regulations for the disposal hazardous waste and transportation of hazardous chemical products.

LAQ-4203: Laboratory IV

Analytical chemistry is an interesting discipline in its own right. It also plays a vital role in many other important areas such as biochemistry, environmental science, food science, forensic science, mineral analysis and toxicology. In this hands-on laboratory course students collect and test samples for legal purposes and combine multiple analytical procedures to generate data. Students perform several commonly used analytical tests on a variety of samples. Students will use LIMS to store sample information and their associated data. All of the different experiments will be performed simultaneously each session to allow lab experiments to be performed in smaller groups (preferably groups of 2-3). Students will develop methods for performing quantitative analysis using Analytical techniques such as GC-FID, GC-MS and HPLC. Students will be able to test the air quality using Draeger Tubes.

QEM-3104: Six Sigma Process Improvement Techniques

This course provides students an in-depth understanding of Six Sigma Improvement technique and clear sense of what is required to define high impact improvement projects for the enterprises. Students gain knowledge of how to establish Six Sigma measurements and complete Six Sigma projects using the systematic Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) methodology.

LAQ-4403: Capstone Project Analytical Research

How do heavy metals get into our landfills? This laboratory capstone project examines the heavy metal concentrations in various categories of solid waste collected on campus. As part of the concurrent , LAQ 4103 students perform an environmental audit on how waste is collected and disposed in the building they are working in. In this hands-on laboratory course, students assess a sampling target, prepare a sampling plan, validate test methods on difficult samples, operate the laboratory to collect data and prepare a final report.