Course description:
This course is intended for graduate students in the Dept. of Geosciences, without an extensive background in chemistry. It emphasizes both theoretical and practical aspects of analytical techniques for geochemical research. Modern instrumental techniques and experimental methods will be included. Paper reading, discussion and presentation will also play essential roles in class. After taking this class, students will be able to design an overall experimental procedure, including estimating sample size, sampling, choosing chemicals and labwares and selecting measurement methods for their projects. They will also learn how to independently accomplish chemistry in a geochemical lab.

Literature:
Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry by Skoog and West

Statistics for Analytical Chemistry by Miller and Miller

Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences

by Bevington and Robinson

Text materials: Selected chapters, class handouts, papers.

Grading: Homework, 10%; Midterm exam, 30%;

Report and presentation, 30%; Final, 30%.

Syllabus:
1. Introduction.
2. Probability, distributions.
3. Significance tests.
4. Regression correlation.
5. Error analysis.
6. Methods for quantitative analysis.
7. Geochemical lab I: labwares, clean room, QA/QC.
8. Geochemical lab II: acids, standards, spikes, safety rule.
9. Midterm exam.
10. Acid-base titration.
11. Samples and sampling.
12. Dissolution and separation techniques.
13. Modern separation methods.
14. Analytical methods for geo-environmental samples.
15. Trace elements in carbonate, igneous rock and marine sediment.
16. Final exam.