Course Title: Apply routine chromatographic techniques

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2011

Course Code: ONPS5211C

Course Title: Apply routine chromatographic techniques

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5183 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology)

Course Contact: Kirsten Balding

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4283

Course Contact Email: Kirsten.balding@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

none

Nominal Hours: 120

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

PMLTEST303B - Prepare working solutions OR PMLTEST402B - Prepare, standardise and use solutions
PMLTEST404A - Perform chemical tests and procedures.

Course Description

This unit of competency covers the ability to analyse samples using routine chromatographic techniques. The unit also includes establishing client needs for routine and non-routine samples, optimising enterprise procedures and instruments for specific samples, obtaining valid and reliable data and reporting test results. Personnel are required to recognise atypical test data/results and troubleshoot common analytical procedure and equipment problems.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	PMLTEST513A Apply routine chromatographic techniques
Element:	1. Establish client needs and schedule analysis 2. Prepare samples and standards 3. Set up and optimise instrument 4. Perform analysis 5. Process and analyse data 6. Maintain a safe work environment 7. Maintain laboratory records
Performance Criteria:	1. Establish client needs and schedule analysis 1.1 Liaise with client or sample provider to determine client needs and sample history 1.2 Record sample description, compare with specification and record and report discrepancies 1.3 Identify non-routine samples and the possible need to vary enterprise procedures 1.4 Seek advice from supervisor about any proposed variations and document all approved changes 1.5 Schedule analysis using enterprise procedures 2. Prepare samples and standards 2.1 Obtain a representative analytical portion of the laboratory sample 2.2 Prepare sample in accordance with testing requirements 2.3 Prepare validation checks for analytical portion(s) 3. Set up and optimise instrument 3.1 Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with enterprise procedures 3.2 Start up and condition the instrument using enterprise procedures 3.3 Optimise instrumental parameters to suit sample and test requirements 3.4 Check calibration status of instrument and perform calibration using specified standards and procedures, if applicable 4. Perform analysis 4.1 Measure analyte response for standards, validation checks and samples 4.2 Conduct sufficient measurements to obtain reliable data 4.3 Return instruments to standby or shutdown condition as required 5. Process and analyse data 5.1 Confirm data is the result of valid measurements 5.2 Perform required calculations and ensure results are consistent with standards or estimations and expectations 5.3 Record results with the appropriate accuracy, precision and units 5.4 Analyse trends in data and/or results and report "out of specification" or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel 5.5 Troubleshoot analytical procedure or equipment problems which have led to atypical data or results 6. Maintain a safe work environment 6.1 Identify risks, hazards, safety equipment and control measures associated with sample handling, preparation and analytical method 6.2 Use personal protective equipment and safety procedures specified for test method and materials to be tested 6.3 Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impacts 6.4 Ensure the safe disposal of laboratory wastes 6.5 Clean, care for and store equipment and consumables in accordance with enterprise procedures 7. Maintain laboratory records 7.1 Enter approved data and results into laboratory information management system 7.2 Maintain equipment logs in accordance with enterprise procedures 7.3 Maintain security and confidentiality of laboratory data and enterprise information 7.4 Communicate results to appropriate personnel.

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities for this course will include:
• Teacher directed face-to face delivery of lessons
• Whole class Discussion
• Pair/group discussion
• Small group workshops
• Online quizzes & theory activities
•  Worksheets including Revision
• Laboratory experiments
• Record keeping of experiments
• Presentations
• Research activities

See the Teaching Schedule (below) for details.

Teaching Schedule

Date (Mon)	Week	Theory (online)	Prac (4 hr)	Assessment
11/7	1	* Course Overview	Safety in the Chromatography Lab Making solutions	Safety checks
		* Paper Chromatography Theory - concepts & calcs
18/7	2	Paper Chromatography Theory	Paper Chromatography of food dyes
25/7	3	TLC Theory concepts & calcs	Thin Layer Chromatography of Vegetable pigments	Group 1 oral prac report* Week 3 Quiz
1/8	4	Gel Chromatography (Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC)) Theory	SEC Chromatography	Group 2 oral prac report*
8/8	5	Ion Exchange (IE) Chromatography Theory	Ion Exchange Chromatography	Group 3 oral prac report* Week 5 Quiz
15/8	6	Affinity chromatography & Multistep chromatography - concepts Case study: CSL	Multistep chromatography - Rainbow chromatography: isolating a mixture of food dyes	Group 4 oral prac report* Week 6 Quiz - CSL case study
22/8	7	Revision	no prac class
Week of 29/8	8	Exam Week	Test 1 (theory)	Test 1
5/9	9	HPLC theory & calculations - peak area, retention time, internal standards Solid Phase Extraction (SPE)	Solution Making for HPLC GFP &/or BFP from E. coli cells.	Week 9 Quiz
12/9	10	HPLC - isocratic v’s gradient chromatography theory	1. HPLC of caffeine in drinks	Group 5 oral prac report* Prac Report 2 - caffeine in drinks
Week of 19/9		Student vacation
26/9	11	HPLC - isocratic v’s gradient chromatography theory	1. HPLC of caffeine in drinks -     interpreting results	Prac Report 2 - caffeine in drinks
3/10	12	Example calcs for analgesics HPLC prac,  interpreting results, practising calcs & answering Q’s	HPLC of Analgesics  (Painkiller) Tablets TLC of aspirin, caffeine & paracetamol	Week 12 Quiz
10/10	13	Example calcs for analgesics HPLC prac,  interpreting results, practising calcs & answering Q’s	HPLC of Analgesics  (Painkiller) Tablets  interpreting results	Submit Logbook
1710	14	GC theory & calculations Internal standards	GC @ Applied Chemistry Gas Chromatography of Xylene (to be confirmed)	Week 14 Quiz
24/10	15	Revision
Week of 31/10	16	Exam Week	Test 2	Test 2
Week of 8/11	17	Alternative assessment (Supplementary exams) if required
		* Oral practical report = powerpoint presentation to class

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Perform Routine Chromatographic Techniques Practical Manual (available online)

• J Crowe, T. Bradshaw, P. Monk (2006) Chemistry for the Biosciences. The essential concepts. pp 270-274 Oxford University Press, Oxford. Available from the course Learning Hub (Blackboard) or directly from the RMIT Library’s eReserve collection & is available after login from the following link: http://digital.lib.rmit.edu.au/ereserve/notes07/onps5201c/31259007839827.pdf Also available in Carlton Library as Hardcopy : Call No. 540.078 C953

References

Other Resources

Overview of Assessment

Assessments for this course typically consist of:
• Class activities
• Assignments
• Presentations
• Exam

Assessment Tasks

1. Safety Checks
Week done: 1
Due: in class
%: satisfactory (ungraded)

2. Prac Report 1 - Oral group report (powerpoint presentation to class)
Week done: One group per week only
Topic:  for experiments done during weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9 to be given on previous week’s experiment
Week due:  Group 1 - Week 3*/Group 2 - Week 4*/Group 3 - Week 5*/Group 4 - Week 6*/ Group 5 - Week 10*
%:  10%


3. Quizzes
Week done: 3,5,6,9,12,14
Topic:  see lab manual ’assessment guide’ section
Week due:  various - see blackboard
%:  20 (calculated from average grade)


4. Prac Report 2  (written group assignment)
Week done: 10/11
Topic:  HPLC of caffeine in drinks
Week due:  13
%:  10%

5. Exam 1
Week done: 8
Topic:  Chromatography (Paper, TLC, SEC, IEC, multistep)
n/a
%:  20%

6. Exam 2
Week done: 16
Topic:  HPLC & GC only
Week due:  n/a
%:  20%


7. Logbook
Week done: all
Requirement:  Logbook - signed off if considered competent** by teacher & recorded on central record/ Sign off each week lab class is attended**
Week due:  Submit completed logbook at end of week 13 (monday week 14 is last day to avoid penalty to grades)
%:  20

8. Input results to spreadsheet (LIMS)
Week done: During some prac classes - students will be advised when to do this, and more than one opportunity is available
Requirement: several accurate and timely entries of data into the LIMS
Week due:  n/a
%:  satisfactory

9. Attendance
Week done: all
Requirement:  80% attendance or more is required
Week due:  n/a
%:  satisfactory
 
Total 100%

Assessment Matrix

Other Information

*The topic of the presentation is 2 weeks before the talk. For example, TLC of vegetable pigments is done in week 3 lab class, the talk on this topic will be held in week 5. The presentation should contain a brief explanation of how the separation works, results and a short discussion of trends in the data and what the results tell you about the mixture being separated. Talks should be no more than 10 minutes long. All group members must present part of the talk.
** see logbook information for what is required.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT ASSESSMENT CONTINUED…

*If you miss the experiment that you are to present as an oral presentation, you may present a different experiment as long as you provide a medical certificate 

*Practical report 2 is due 2 weeks after the day that the practical (including analysis session) is performed. 

*Due dates for quizzes: Quizzes are to be done before the class in the same week. <br>

NO QUIZ = NO ENTRY TO CLASS. This is for safety reasons. 

*To pass the quizzes component you must get an average pass for all quizzes (ie. 50% average). The score for quizzes is calculated from the average grade of all quizzes. If you miss a quiz and have submitted a medical certificate you may do it later than the due date as long as you contact the teacher asap after your absence.

*Students must attend at least 80 % of practical classes to pass the course. 

*Students must pass all of the assessment tasks to pass the course. 

 ***Reports (powerpoint for oral presentation or word document for written report) can be submitted online via blackboard or by memory stick or email to the teacher if blackboard is not available. The online plagiarism statement given in blackboard must be included with the emailed assignment to show that the student agrees to these conditions***

Logbook

Your logbook must be signed off after completion each week by both the student AND the teacher.

The teacher will also signoff your logbook on the class sheet as a central record. 

The central record is the evidence record that is required to show that your logbook has been signed off by you, the student, and the teacher. 

IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THEIR WORK SIGNED OFF EVERY WEEK.

(If you miss the class you do not need to get the sheet signed off – the teacher will record this as an absence). YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED NYC* FOR THAT WEEK UNTIL THE CENTRAL RECORD IS SIGNED OFF or YOU ARE MARKED ABSENT.

*NYC = not yet competent

When is a prac performance considered “competent’ (ie when can a logbook be signed off)?

Logbooks will only be signed off when the student has followed and completed a method adequately, and is therefore considered competent for that experiment.

THE LOGBOOK WILL ONLY BE SIGNED OFF BY THE TEACHER AFTER THE FOLLOWING IS DONE:

1. Show date of analysis/results at top of page at start of experimental record in logbook, 

2. Attach loose pages to logbook securely (use tape or staples), 

3. Include raw and analysed results in logbook as appropriate to particular method (see lab manual)

4. Clean up lab work area and equipment adequately

5. Student signed off logbook entry once record of results are completed and clean up done

When is a prac performance considered “not yet competent’?

(ie when will a logbook not be signed off?)

A student is considered to be ‘not yet competent’ for an experiment if: 

*The Student doesn’t attend class long enough to complete the experiment

*The Student doesn’t finish the procedure in a reasonable time

(nominally by the time class finishes – excluding when there are logistic issues that mean few/no one in the class finishes). 

*The student doesn’t contribute to the group effort adequately

*Results are a debacle – several errors/extensive lack of following SOP (method).

*The experiment is not conducted in a safe manner

*The lab area and equipment are not adequately cleaned up

In the case of a not yet competent result, it is noted that there is no opportunity to repeat that particular experiment due to scheduling of classes. In this case, to achieve competency other experiments during the course should be done to a ‘competent’ level and the student should show a good amount of improvement as semester goes along.

As evidenced by…

*Observations in class by the teacher (record reason for NYC grade)

*The attitude and work ethic of the student while doing experiments is considered appropriate by the teacher

Course Overview: Access Course Overview