Scientific Method and Principles of Analytical Chemistry

Module code: CH1206

In this module, you'll learn about two associated fields of study that will be massively important as you progress as a chemist and scientist.

You'll examine the scientific method; the empirical process of gaining knowledge that has developed as science has progressed. This will involve looking at the different types of analytical problems posed in science and chemistry, as well as the methods used to solve them, errors connected with each method and how to deal with them. This will enable you to select suitable methods to solve problems you will encounter in your study and career as a chemist.

Associated with that is the field of analytical chemistry; the branch that studies and uses instruments and methods to study the separation, identification and quantification of chemical compounds. You'll look at the basic principles of electrochemical, chromatographic and UV/Vis and elemental spectroscopic techniques and discuss their application in qualitative and quantitative analyses. You'll learn the principles and underlying chemistry of titrimetric and gravimetric quantitative methods of analysis, evaluate and interpret the results from qualitative and quantitative analyses and solve problems involving analytical data.

You'll also consider the role of ethics in the pursuit of scientific discovery, as well as some of the underlying philosophical principles of science.