Instrumental Techniques

Study of all the experimental techniques which, using a complex instrumentation in most cases, allows to obtain a series of data that, in addition to the analytical determination of a pharmaceutical substances level can be reached also to know their structural characteristics.

Spectroscopic methods:
Visible-UV spectrophotometry. Lambert-Beer law. Fluorescence.

Electrochemical Methods:
Conductimetry and Potentiometry.

Methods of Separation:
Chromatography methods. Flat Chromatography: Paper and Thin Film; Column Chromatography: Gas Chromatography, Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Adsorption Chromatography, Partition Chromatography, Ion Exchange Chromatography, Exclusion Chromatography, Chiral Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid Chromatography.
Mass Spectrometry.
Electrophoresis, Isoelectric focusing and capillary electrophoresis.



Program of practical classes:

Practice 1. Quantitative analysis by visible-ultraviolet spectrophotometry: Beer-Lambert law
Practice 2. Potentiometric titration of a weak acid and approximate determination of its pKa.
Practice 3. Conductimetric titration of a mixture
Practice 4. Analyzing samples by gas chromatography

Basic 

  • Skoog, D. A., Holler, F. J. Nieman, T. A. Principles of Instrumental Analysis, (Spanish translation of Principles of Instrumental Analysis, by Maria C. Martin Gomez and others), McGraw-Hill, Madrid, 2003.
• Ewing, G. W. Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis, (Spanish translation of the English original Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis, 4th ed., McGraw-Hill, 1975, by Eva Estrada Meza), Mc Graw-Hill, Mexico, 1978.

These two general books can be used virtually throughout the course, it is no longer included in the bibliography for each chapter and covering most topics of the course with a clear and adequate material for students who are consulted.

Complementary

• Christian, G. D.; O'Reilly, J. E. Instrumental Analysis, 2nd ed., Allyn and Bacon, Boston, 1986.
• Ewing, G. W. Analytical instrumentation handbook, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1990.
• Miñones Trillo, J. Instrumental Techniques Manual, 2 volumes, editor Circle Universe, Barcelona, ​​1978.
• Valls, O., del Castillo, B. Instrumental techniques of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 4th ed., Piros Editions, Barcelona, ​​1998.
• Delahay, P. Instrumental Analysis (Physicochemical methods of analysis), (Spanish translation of Instrumental Analysis, Mc Millan, New York, 1963.

Knowledge
Kn 01. Knowing the origin, nature, and how to design, obtain, analyse, control, and produce active ingredients, drugs and medicines, as well as other products and raw materials of health interest for human or veterinary use.
Kn 03. Know how to apply the scientific method and acquire skills in the handling of legislation, sources of information, bibliography, preparation of protocols and other aspects considered necessary for the design and critical evaluation of pre-clinical and clinical trials.
Kn 04. Acquire knowledge to design, prepare, supply, and dispense medicines and other products of health interest.
Kn 11. Know the physico-chemical characteristics of the substances used in the manufacture of medicines.
Kn 15. To know the principles and procedures for the analytical determination of compounds: analytical techniques applied to the analysis of water, food, and environment.
Kn 16. Knowing and applying the main techniques of structural research including spectroscopy.

Abilities or Skills
A/S 05. Develop communication and information skills, both oral and written, to deal with patients and users of the center where he/she performs his/her professional activity.
A/S 06. Promote the ability to work and collaborate in multidisciplinary teams and those related to other health professionals.
A/S 07. Select appropriate techniques and procedures in the design, application and evaluation of reagents, methods, and analytical techniques.
A/S 08. Carry out standard laboratory processes including the use of scientific equipment for synthesis and analysis, including appropriate instrumentation.
A/S 09. Estimate the risks associated with the use of chemicals and laboratory processes.

Competencies:
Comp 01. Capacity for analysis and synthesis.
Comp 10. Critical and self-critical capacity.
Comp 18. Ability to apply knowledge in practice.
Comp 25. Ability to work autonomously.

The 30 hours of lectures will be taught as face-to-face lectures since the high number of students per group does not allow the use of alternative methods. In these classes the concepts and theoretical contents of the subject will be given. For this we will use new technologies for group presentations, such as power point, videos, etc. The interactive classes will be dedicated to solving practical questions and problems. The practical work in the laboratory will be carried out in groups of a maximum of 20 people. All of this will be implemented with the use of the USC virtual platform.

The overall grade will be the result of adding the grade obtained in three activities:
1º A final exam of theory and problems.
2º Continuous assessment.
3º Laboratory practices.

The final exam of theory and problems will be graded on a maximum of 7.5 points, with 5.5 points corresponding to the theory exam and 2.0 points to the problems exam.
The theory exam will consist of several applied questions with several sections, some of which may be multiple-choice questions.
The problems exam will consist of two or three problems with different sections.

It is an essential requirement to pass the subject to obtain a grade equal to or greater than 1.65 points on the theory exam and a grade equal to or greater than 0.6 points on the problem exam.

The continuous assessment will consist of a series of tests that will be carried out during the hours of the interactive classes. These tests will consist of short questions, some of which may be of the test type, as well as a problem related to the recently explained subject. The maximum grade for continuous assessment is 2 points. The continuous assessment grade of previous courses will not be maintained.

The realization of the practices by the student is an indispensable condition to be able to be evaluated of the subject. Likewise, it will be an indispensable requirement to pass an examination of these practices that will consist of a series of questions related to them. The contribution to the global qualification will be 0.5 points. The grade of previous courses will be maintained. Repeating students who wish to do the practices again, must notify the teacher and they will have to do the corresponding exam again and pass it.

In the second opportunity of the call of the academic year, only the final exam of theory and problems will be carried out, keeping the marks corresponding to the practices and the continuous assessment obtained. The maximum and minimum grades required will be the same as for the first opportunity.
The Theory and Problems exam will be carried out in person.

The evaluation will be based on the competencies acquired, so that these will be evaluated in the different activities carried out throughout the course:
In the exam: Knowledge: Kn 01, Kn 04, Kn 11, Kn 15, Kn 16; Abilities or Skills: A/S 07, A/S 09 and Competences: Comp 01 and Comp 10.
In interactive classes: Knowledge: Kn 01, Kn 04, Kn 15, Kn 16; Abilities or Skills: A/S 07, A/S 09 and Competencies: Comp 01 and Comp 10.
In laboratory practices: Knowledge: Kn 03, Kn 11, Kn 16; Abilities or Skills: A/S 05, A/S 06, A/S 08, A/S 09 and Competencies: Comp 01, Comp 10, Comp 18 and Comp 25.

Class work:

-Large-group lectures: 30 hours
-Small group interactive classes: 14 hours
-Very small group tutorials: 2 hours
-Lab: 10 hours
-Testing and review: 4 hours
-Total operating hours for class attendance or in the laboratory: 60 hours


Personal work:

-Self-study individually or in group: 48 hours
-Resolution of exercises, or other work: 24 hours
-Guidance and resolution of questions: 2,5 hours
-Preparation of laboratory work and its reporting practices: 6,5 hours
-Implementation and Test Review: 9 hours
-Total hours of personal work: 90 hours

-Mathematical skills such as measurement errors.
-Understanding of statistics, graphs and interpretation functions.
-Exponential and logarithmic functions.
- Linear regression.
-Basic knowledge of physics.
- Physical Chemistry: There will be constant reference to the concepts studied in this area, which will serve as a starting point to address the merits of each of the techniques.
-Regular dedication to the study of matter (periods daily or every other day).
- As the study progresses it is necessary to resolve issues and problems raised in each chapter.
- Avoid entering a new chapter without having properly understood the above.