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CH40033: Electrochemistry and surfaces

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 3
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 2
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: EX 100%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take CH20016 and in taking this unit you cannot take CH30033
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims & Learning Objectives:
This course is in two parts. Part 1 (ca. 5-6 lectures) is concerned with biosensors, and details what a biosensor is, how different sensors work, strategies for improving Limit of Detection ands sensitivity and uses many examples from both the recent literature and commercial systems such as glucose sensing and pregnancy testing. After the first 6 lectures students should be familiar with:
* The basic components of a sensor.
* Key considerations for sensor R & D.
* How ELISA testing works with examples linking HIV and Group B Streptococcus.
* The principles behind sensors for oligonucleotides.
* Methods for determining affinity constants between a protein - antibody and oligo' probe - target.
* Electrochemical detection and signal amplification mechanisms.
The next 4-5 lectures are concerned with electrochemical measurement on nano and mesoscale surfaces such as mesoporous TiO2, as well as understanding at a more fundamental level how electrons are transferred at such surfaces and what we can learn from this. After these lectures, students should be able to:
* Define the relationship between mass transport and electron transfer processes in electrochemical measurements.
* Understand how a molecular build up approach can be used to make functional surfaces.
* Understand how SPR, electrochemistry and impedance, can be used to gain real time information about molecular adsorption and protein-molecule binding.
* Critically evaluate new and unseen sensor systems from a wider reading of the research literature.

Content:
Sensor systems introduction
ELISA / Antibody sensors
DNA - RNA sensing
Quantification of interaction between molecules
Basics of clinical microbiology
Electrochemical sensor systems
Advanced Electrochemical methods
Nano and mesoporous surfaces - applications to sensor systems.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CH40033 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AKM02 : MChem (hons) Chemistry with Industrial Training (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCH-AAM03 : MChem (hons) Chemistry with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USCH-AFM07 : MSci (hons) Chemistry with Management (Full-time) - Year 4
  • USCH-AKM07 : MSci (hons) Chemistry with Management with Industrial Training (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • TSCH-AFM01 : MRes Chemistry (Full-time) - Year 1

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.