Chemical analysis of natural samples is essential not only in geochemical research but nearly all other subfields of Earth and Environmental Science research today. Some analytical capability routine to geochemists, such as high precision isotope analysis, has also found potential applications in many other disciplines. Outside academia, chemical analysis is fundamental to many activities directly relevant to our everyday life, ranging from pollution monitoring to soil testing. With the explosion of analytical capability and increasing applications of geochemical analysis, there is greater need for students in Earth and Environmental Sciences to get familiarized with some common analytical instruments and to grasp some fundamental principles of analytical chemistry. This course will introduce several modern analytical equipment with a particular focus on plasma source mass spectrometers, as well as important techniques developed for precise and accurate analysis of geological and environmental samples. During this course, students will have access to some of the most advanced analytical equipment in geochemical research and gain hands-on experience during in-class lab practice. The lab practice is primarily designed to illustrate some key concepts covered in lectures, rather than a comprehensive training on instrument operation. At the end of this course, students are expected to be capable of critically evaluating geochemical data and master a set of analytical skills that can serve their future careers in research or other chemical analysis related professions. This course is designed to be accessible to students with limited prior analytical experiences. Prerequisites recommended to attend this course are PHYS 1301 (or equivalency) and CHEM 1061 (or equivalency).
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