CM3242 - INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS II
Academic Year 21/22 - Semester 1
Assessments:
-
Quiz 1 (LumiNUS, Zoom Proctoring): 15%
-
Quiz 2 (LumiNUS, Zoom Proctoring): 15%
-
Group Project & Presentation (Zoom): 20%
-
Quiz 3 (LumiNUS, Zoom proctoring): 10%
-
Finals (In-person): 40%
Lecturer(s) and Tutor(s): A/P Chuah Gaik Khuan & Dr Linda Sellou
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Review 1
Module Overview: You will learn about extractions, GC, LC, MS and electrochemistry.
How did you find the assessments: For quiz 1 and quiz 2, we were not allowed to return back to the previous questions. It includes mostly MCQ and some short answer questions. I think the questions are not difficult but a little tricky. For quiz 3, it covers electrochemistry. This quiz allows us to return back to the previous questions and is 'tutorial-level' questions so it is quite easy. However, you would need to spend time practicing typing equations in LATEX or in normal form (as long as it is understandable). For the project, you will be grouped with another student and have to conduct experiments. Then you will have to do a short presentation. It was fun to explore and conduct your own experiments but the amount of work may be a little high for 20%. For the finals, it was open-book and held face-to-face. It is not very difficult and is mostly application-based.
​
Apart from the assessments, how was your experience with this module:
The first part (GC, LC and MS) is taught by Prof Chuah while the second part (Electrochemistry) is taught by Dr Linda. This module is extremely important and I felt that it should a compulsory module for all. It teaches you about GC, LC and MS which are techniques that most chemical industries uses. Furthermore, you will understand how to change the parameters to achieve the best peak shape. It also helps you in CM3292. For the second part, we had a Piazza portal where we could ask questions anonymously which is very useful. It allows peer-learning and Dr Linda could also help to clarify any questions or concepts. The project presentation was relaxing as we did not have to switch on the camera and questions were asked for the purpose of clarifications.
In my opinion, I felt that the schedule for this module is not the best. This is because for Prof Chuah's portion, it is quite content heavy and it was squeezed into 6 weeks. However, for Dr Linda's portion, there were 4 recorded lectures. Each week, we just have to watch 1 1.5h lecture. On the other hand, for Prof Chuah's lecture, we were rushing and each lecture was around 1h 40 minutes with a 5 minutes break. It would have been better if Prof Chuah's lecture was spread across 8-9 weeks while Dr Linda's portion was 4-5 weeks. Nonetheless, the lecturers are very approachable and teach very well!
​
Workload: Heavy
Review 2
Module Overview: How different machines function and the theory behind it (Dr Chuah Gaik Khuan). HPLC, GC, extraction (involves a lot of calculations), thermal methods, electrophoretic separation, electrochemical methods, coulometry, potentiometry, voltammetry
​
How did you find the assessments:
The first quiz was on extraction which involved a lot of calculations but with practice, it was manageable. Quiz 2 was more theory based follow Dr Chuah's content on the various chemical methods but both quizzes were all open book. Quiz 3 was slightly more difficult on electroanalytical methods with Dr Linda paying a lot of attention on how you write the nernst equation properly (it was an online quiz so it was much harder) but quiz 3 takes up a rather small percentage. Heavier weightage on project (supposed to be a 4 man work but it was pair work for this particular semester), was quite time consuming but you learn a lot and requires a lot of thinking. My peers and I did pretty okay and well for the project. Final was in person and was rather challenging especially on electrochemical methods.
​
Apart from the assessments, how was your experience with this module:
It was good yet challenging, very fruitful learning process but can be difficult to digest some concepts especially on electrochemical methods in my opinion. Requires a lot of practice and understanding.
Workload: Heavy