Course Information

This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of the international accreditation standard based on ISO/IEC 17025. It focuses on planning and auditing skills of testing laboratory with an elaboration on relevant technical issues required for monitoring performance of work and the follow-up tools. Emphasis is also given to the practice and application of laboratory management system to improve the reliability and productivity of laboratories.

This course aims to provide fundamental knowledge on various statistical tools available for treatment of analytical data. This includes an introduction to probability and counting, distributions, descriptive statistics, estimation, mean and variance, comparing two means and two variances, simple linear regression, correlation and analysis of variance and principal component analysis. Particular emphasis is also given to the estimation of measurement uncertainty based on the ISO/IEC Guide 98-3 under different testing conditions.

This course aims to provide training and guidance on the method validation and quality techniques used in the laboratory to obtain reliable results. It includes evaluation of detection and quantitation limits; assessment of the linearity of correlation and calibration range; traceability and the use of certified reference standards. Emphasis is given to the quality control of the analytical process and proficiency testing activities.

This course introduces the importance of food testing and provides a comprehensive coverage of analytical methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of food nutrients and additives such as dyes and preservatives.

Forensic sciences form a vital part of a modern judiciary system. Chemical examinations have been used extensively in exhibit identification and comparison, which in turn provide valuable information for the court to form its judgement. This course will show students how to apply their chemical knowledge in exhibit examinations to generate information of evidential value to assist law enforcement agencies to find out the truth of cases encountered.

This course aims to introduce the principles and applications of various environmental sampling and analytical techniques for use in environmental monitoring and pollution control.

Mass spectrometry is an important technique in material analysis. It provides material characterization at molecular level with high sensitivity and specificity. This course aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the principles of mass spectrometry measurement. Topics covered include common sample preparation methods for mass spectrometry measurement, working principles of various types of mass spectrometer and information that can be derived from typical mass spectrometry analysis.

This course reviews analytical methods and instruments to solve biological problems. It serves as a primer to the expanding field of bioanalysis. The topics include: purification and separation, spectroscopic methods; eletrophoresis; mass spectrometry; chromatography; NMR; analysis of nucleic acids; nucleic acid and protein sequencing; immunoanalysis, single molecule techniques; single cell analysis; biochip.

This course intends to provide an in-depth knowledge on the advanced chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods for characterization of different materials, including synthetic (such as drugs and polymers) and naturally available molecules (such as proteins and DNAs). This course will also discuss the various modes of on-line separation and identification techniques involving both chromatography and mass spectrometry methods.

This optional course aims to provide an opportunity for individuals to undertake a research project relevant to the accreditation chemistry, such as certification of reference materials or measuring devices; or experimental evaluation of measurement uncertainty. The research work will be conducted on Saturdays of the term time. Students with free time on Saturdays are encouraged to take this course and to acquire practical experience.

This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the unique environmental, health and safety issues that arise in chemical laboratory, including local legislations for environmental, health and safety in workplace, standard practices for chemical handling, hazardous identification and risk assessment to the exposure of chemicals, use and maintenance of safety and personal protection equipment, disposal of chemical waste. Particular emphasis is also given to the establishing and implementing environmental, and health and safety management system in laboratory according to International Standards such as ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.

Comparability of chemical measurements and their traceability are the essential elements in establishing mutual recognition of analytical results and thereby providing a foundation for global agreements related to international trade, commerce and regulatory issues. This course aims to provide an in-depth coverage of the scientific basis for comparability of chemical measurements and their traceability. This includes the use of inter-laboratory comparison and certified reference materials.

This course aims to provide students with the essential knowledge of national and international standards as well as regulatory requirements in major markets for chemical testing of consumer products such as toys and children products, textiles and garments, cosmetics, food containers, etc. Practical consideration when conducting method validation and setting quality control plan for the testing will also be discussed.

This course provides a comprehensive coverage of qualitative and quantitative analytical methods of materials derived from different industries. Topics include basic science and analytic techniques for testing different construction and building materials such as cement, concrete, and reinforcement bar.

# Not all elective courses are available. Please contact the programme office for the elective courses offered in the coming academic year.