As currently taught in the United States, introductory courses in analytical chemistryemphasize quantitative (and sometimes qualitative) methods of analysis along with a heavydose of equilibrium chemistry. Analytical chemistry, however, is much more than a collection ofanalytical methods and an understanding of equilibrium chemistry; it is an approach to solvingchemical problems. Although equilibrium chemistry and analytical methods are important, theircoverage should not come at the expense of other equally important topics.

The introductory course in analytical chemistry is the ideal place in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum forexploring topics such as experimental design, sampling, calibration strategies, standardization,optimization, statistics, and the validation of experimental results. Analytical methods comeand go, but best practices for designing and validating analytical methods are universal. Becausechemistry is an experimental science it is essential that all chemistry students understand theimportance of making good measurements.

My goal in preparing this textbook is to find a more appropriate balance between theoryand practice, between “classical” and “modern” analytical methods, between analyzing samplesand collecting samples and preparing them for analysis, and between analytical methods anddata analysis. There is more material here than anyone can cover in one semester; it is myhope that the diversity of topics will meet the needs of different instructors, while, perhaps,suggesting some new topics to cover.

This is a module framework. It can be viewed online or downloaded as a zip file.

As taught in Autumn Semester 2009

Careers skills is a compulsory module for all Year 2 Economics students. It is not available to students from outside the School. It is one of a number of modules that make up the Nottingham Advantage Award.

The Nottingham Advantage Award is a new initiative focusing on student skills, employability and personal and academic development. Initially created for undergraduate students, it aims to develop the kind of competencies, learning and evaluation skills that employers are looking for in talented new graduates.

For more information on the Award you can visit: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/ugstudy/introduction/life/advantageaward

Suitable For: Undergraduate Year Two Students

Dr David Harvey

Dr David Harvey has been a member of staff in the School of Economics since October 2003. He is a Reader in Econometrics. His research interests are in the area of time series econometrics, in particular tests for unit roots and structural change, forecast evaluation and applied time series analysis in general. He has published in journals such as the Journal of Econometrics, Journal of Business and Economic Statistics, Journal of Applied Econometrics, Econometrics Journal, Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Forecasting, International Journal of Forecasting.