2018

AMBO UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND

COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY MSc

PROGRAM CURRICULUM
(Revised)
1 Ambo University
July 2018
 Table of Contents

TIITEL PAGE
1. Background 1
2. Rationale 4
3. Academic Profile 4
3.1 Purpose 4
3.2 Career Opportunities 5
4. Description of Competence profiles 5
4.1 Analytical Chemistry 5
4.1.1 Knowledge 5
4.1.2 Skills 6
4.1.3 Competences 6
5. Admission Requirements 7
6. Graduation Requirements 7
7. Degree Nomenclature 7
8. Course Coding 8
9. Teaching Methodology 8
10. Assessment Procedures 8
11. Grading System 9
12. Quality Assurance 9
13. Course Breakdown (Research based) 10
14. Course Breakdown (Summer Program) 11
15. Seminar 12
16. Thesis 12
17. Course Breakdown (Course based) 12
18. Graduate Project 13
19. Summary 14
20. List of Courses 14
21. Details of course Contents 15

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1. BACKGROUND

Dedicated to academic excellence in arts, science and technology, Ambo University is esteemed
as one of the pioneers in the modern educational history of Ethiopia. It is a Federal Institution in
Ambo, the capital of West Shewa Zone, located at a distance of 110 kilometers from Addis
Ababa.

The institution has played monumental roles in the modernization of Ethiopia, especially in the
agricultural sector, and has its academic roots back to 1939 E.C., when it was established by the
Ministry of Agriculture as a secondary agricultural school. From early 1979 to late 2003, the
college operated as an autonomous higher education institution charged with academic missions.
As from May 2003. The college was affiliated to Jimma University, under whose auspices it
operated for five years. On July 2008, after sixty one years, the college was formally upgraded to
a University.

From 1971 on wards, despite the challenges it faced, the institution had been effectively training
students for two years at post secondary level diploma in General Agriculture and Extension,
Agricultural Teachers Education, biology laboratory and Chemistry laboratory technologies.
Currently, the University offers lots of Undergraduate and postgraduates programs in various
fields of studies and intends to expand its capacity in the year to come.

The Department of Applied Chemistry was set up in 1995 E.C. as a unit in the Department of
Basic Sciences to train Chemistry Laboratory Technicians at diploma level. After a year, the
range of courses administered by the Department widened tremendously, as it started offering a
three-year degree program in applied chemistry, diploma training in laboratory technology and
summer degree program in Applied Chemistry. Since 2001 E.C., the Department has launched a
postgraduate program in Analytical Chemistry in line with the endeavors of the federal
Government to expand post graduate programs.

Though the Department is still at its infancy, it has, since its inception. Been working to wards
fulfilling the needs of the country for qualified human power and has made magnificent strides in
this respect. In order to accomplish this principal mission, the Department is staffed with both
native and foreign instructors.

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In order to fulfill the short and long-term needs of the country, the department which has grown
into being one of the largest departments in Ambo University has proposed to launch other new
fields of studies. While making adequate contributions to the dissemination of knowledge and
development of qualified human power in the country, the department is involved in researches
related to water pollution aimed at solving immediate problems of the society around Ambo.

Analytical chemistry is often described as the area of chemistry responsible for characterizing
the composition of matter, both qualitatively (what is present) and quantitatively (how much is
present). A more appropriate description of analytical chemistry therefore is “The science of
inventing and applying the concepts, principles and etc., strategies for measuring the
characteristics of chemical systems and species”.

However, the division of Analytical chemistry of the American Chemical Society provides a
comprehensive definition of analytical chemistry. Accordingly, analytical chemistry seeks ever
improved means of measuring the chemical composition of natural and artificial materials. The
techniques of this science are used to identify the substances which may be present in the
material and to determine the exact amount of the identified substance.

Analytical chemistry is applied throughout industry, medicine and all the sciences. Many
chemists, biochemists, and medicinal chemists devote much time in the laboratory gathering
quantitative information about systems that are important and interesting to them. The central
role of analytical chemistry in this enterprise and many others is illustrated in figure 1. All
braches of chemistry draw from the ideas and techniques of analytical chemistry. In addition, it
has relationship with many other scientific fields listed in the diagram.

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 Chemistry
Physics
Biology Biochemistry
Inorganic Chemistry Astrophysics
Botany
Organic Chemistry Astronomy
Genetics
Microbiology Physical Chemistry Biophysics
Zoology
Engineering
Civil, Chemical,
Electrical,
Mechanical

Geology
Geophysics Analytical
Geochemistry Medicine
Paleontology, Chemistry Medicinal
chemistry
Pharmacy,
Toxicology

Environmental Materials
Sciences science
Ecology Metallurgy
Meteorology Polymers Solid
Oceanography
Agriculture
Agronomy, Animal Social Sciences
Science, Crop Archeology
Science, Food
Anthropology
Science Horticulture
Forensics

Figure 1: The relationship among analytical Chemistry, other branches of chemistry, and the
different areas of science.

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2. RATIONALE

Based on the results of the needs assessment survey conducted by the department, the major
stakeholders in government both federal and regional employers of labor in industries and
academia, graduates of chemistry and other non-governmental agencies, it became clear that the
country was facing a critical shortage of trained manpower in Analytical chemistry. With the
availability of adequate number of highly qualified teaching staff with Ph.D. in the specialized
area and the recent acquisition of latest state of the art equipments for instrumental analysis such
as double beam UV- Visible Spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer
(FTIR), Flame photometer, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and Gas-
chromatography Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) along with other laboratory facilities, the
department is well equipped to offer the M.Sc. program in analytical Chemistry. The current
need for trained analytical chemists to fill various positions in these agencies is expected to
increase in the next five years as the economy continuous to grow. More so, and in line with the
current millennium goal of the government that 70 % of students intake into higher educational
institutions should be in the area of science and Technology, it is expected that the launching of
the M.Sc. program will go a long way in complimenting government efforts in achieving the
objective.

3. ACADEMIC PROFILE

3.1 Purpose

The objective of the programme is to provide the graduates with an in-depth knowledge within
the methods and scientific basis of chemical research. The education is based on the
competences the students have acquired during the MSc programme. On completion of the
programme, students will be able to perform research at advanced levels; analyse and solve
problems within the broad field of chemistry. A master’s degree in chemistry specialized in
Analytical Chemistry equips the graduates with the necessary skills for participating in research
groups or for the independent leadership and management of complex work and development
situations within the field. The MSc Programme in Analytical Chemistry combines formal
coursework with independent research guided by an experienced researcher.

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3.2 Career opportunities

The MSc Programme in Chemistry specialized in Analytical Chemistry qualifies students to

become professionals within business functions and/or areas such as:
 The private sector such as the pharmaceutical industries;
 High-tech companies;
 Consulting companies;
 The public sector;
 Universities;
 Research Institutes;
 Petrochemical industries;
 Prerequisites for further studies, including a PhD program, etc.

4. DESCRIPTION OF COMPETENCE PROFILES

Students following the MSc Programme in Analytical Chemistry acquire the knowledge, skills
and competences listed below. Students will also acquire other qualifications through various
subject elements and other study activities.

4.1 Analytical Chemistry

On completion of the programme, an MSc in Chemistry with a specialization in Analytical
Chemistry has acquired the following:

4.1.1 Knowledge about:

A solid theoretical understanding of sampling theory and sample preparation methods,
chromatography and mass spectrometry, spectroscopic methods.
Practical use of advanced analytical techniques for analysis of gas, liquid and solid
samples.
Quantitative and qualitative chemical analyses.
Method development, validation and quality control of chemical analyses.

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4.1.2 Skills in/to:

Plan sampling experiments and analyse the results.

Plan, perform and optimize sample preparation for organic compounds and elements in
simple and complex matrices.
Develop and apply methods for separating chemical compounds in mixtures using
chromatography and related methods.
Perform quantitative and qualitative chemical analysis of organic compounds and
elements in gas, liquid and solid matrices.
Apply solid data processing and evaluation of analytical data.
Critically assess reported analytical chemistry research including chromatographic,
mass spectrometry, and spectroscopy research.
Select a suitable analytical platform for the separation, detection and quantification of
analytes from complex matrices on the basis of chemical properties of the analyte and
knowledge of the matrix.

4.1.3 Competences in/to:

Be able to critically read papers in current international advanced analytical and

physical chemistry journals.
Enable the student to plan and perform:
 sampling,
 sample preparation of complex matrices,
 chemical analysis of simple and complex mixtures of chemicals and elements
using modern analytical chromatography, mass spectrometry spectroscopy
methods,
 data analysis for qualitative (identification) and quantitative (concentration
measurements) analysis
Be able to develop, validate and quality assure new analytical methods.

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5. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
 Applicants must have either:
o B.Sc. Degree in Applied Chemistry with CGPA = 2.0 and above;
o B. Ed. Degree in chemistry with CGPA = 2.0 and above;
o B.Sc. Degree in Chemistry with CGPA = 2.0 and above or
o B.Sc. Degree in Industrial chemistry with CGPA = 2.0 and above.
 Applicants must meet the general admission criteria and/or policy of Ambo University
 Applicants will be required to take and pass the Entrance Examination.
 When the Department Graduate Committee (DGC) finds that the applicant did not take
some of the basic major course (s), the applicant shall take bridging courses and fulfill
the decision made by DGC.
6. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Course requirement:
 The candidate is required to successfully complete 26 credit hours of the course
work.
2. Thesis:
 The candidate is required to successfully complete the thesis research (6 credit
hours) and must pass the evaluation.
3. Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA): a minimum of 3.00 with no F and D grades
and must comply with the university’s postgraduate academic policy.
4. Duration of study: 2 years.

Semester Review
A semester review of each graduate student’s progress will be conducted by the Department
Graduate Committee (DGC). The DGC will review the progress of each student and will
determine whether he/she has made satisfactory progress on the requirements with regards to
both course and research works. The candidate(s) are expected to present research progress
report once after five months from the date of approval of their research proposal.

7. DEGREE NOMENCLATURE:
English: The Degree of Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry
Amharic: ¾dÔe Te}`e Ç=Ó] u›“LÃ+"M Ÿ?T>eƒ]
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8. COURSE CODING

 All chemistry courses are coded as “Chem.” followed by three digits. The
meanings of the three digits are described as follows:
 The first digit shows the year of courses
The digit “5” is for 1st year
The digit “6” is for 2nd year
 The second digit shows the subject type
The digit ‘5’ is for courses in Organic chemistry
The digit ‘6’ is for courses in Inorganic chemistry
The digit ‘7’ is for core courses in Analytical chemistry
The digit ‘8’ is for courses in Physical Chemistry
The digit ‘9’ is for supportive courses and Thesis
 The third digit represents the semester during which that course is
offered.
i.e. Odd for first semester and even for second semester

9. TEACHING METHODOLOGY:

Teaching methodology shall be student – centered which includes brain storming, group
discussions, presentation, laboratory works, lectures, along with use of models, over head
projectors, LCD and ICT facilities.

10. ASSESMENT PROCEDURES

Continuous assessment procedures will be used which includes

• Assignments
• Course Seminars (Individual presentations)
• Laboratory reports
• Practical examination
• Term Paper
• Mid and final examination

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11. GRADING SYSTEM
• The system of grading shall be in accordance with the legislation of Ambo Universities.
Accordingly, the mechanism of grading shall be asper the harmonized postgraduate grade
scale given here under.
Table 1. Harmonized Postgraduate Grade Scale
Raw Mark Interval Corresponding Status
Class Description
[100%] Letter Grade Description

[90 - 100] A+
1st Class with Great
[85 - 90) A Excellent
Distinction
[80 - 85) A-

[75 - 80) B+
V. Good 1st Class with Distinction
[70 - 75) B

[65 - 70) B-
Good 1st Class
[60 - 65) C+

[50 - 60) C Satisfactory 2nd Class

< 50 F Failure Fail

12. QUALITY ASSURANCE

Quality education can be offered and guaranteed through the following means:

• Qualified instructors should be assigned to teach the course.

• Periodic acquisition of appropriate textbooks, journals, ICT facilities,
laboratory equipment, application software and filed trips if necessary.
• Students should be allowed to see their exam papers after evaluation.
• Monitoring of instructor’s performance through student, colleague and
department chairman evolution.
• Feed back from stakeholders on the quality of graduates.
• The quality of staff should be improved through man power development
• Evaluation of the program should be in regular base

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13. COURSE BREAKDOWN (RESEARCH BASED, REGULAR)
Year 1, Semester I
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours ECTS
Chem. 551 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 5
Chem. 561 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 3 5
Chem. 571 Chemometrics, Data Handling and Validation 2 3
Advanced Separation and Chromatographic 3
Chem. 573 2
Techniques
Chem. 581 Chemical Kinetics 2 3
Chem. 591 Research Methods and Scientific Communications 1 2
Total 13 21

Year 1, Semester II

Course Code Course Title Credit Hours ECTS

Advanced Environmental Chemistry and
Chem. 542 2 3
Toxicology
Chem. 572 Advanced Instrumental Analysis 3 5
Chem. 576 Advanced Practical Instrumental Analysis 2 3
Chem. 574 Advanced Electroanalytical Chemistry 2 3
Chem. 578 Selected Topics in Analytical Chemistry 2 3
Chem. 592 Graduate Seminar I 1 2
Total 12 19

Year 2, Semester I
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours ECTS
Chem. 693 Graduate Seminar II 1 2
Chem. 691 Thesis 6 10
Total 7 12

Year 2, Semester II
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours ECTS
Chem. 691 Thesis = =

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14. Analytical Chemistry PG Summer Program Course Breakdown
Summer I
S/N Course Title Course Code Cr/Hr. Course Type Remark
1 Advanced Organic Chemistry Chem. 551 3 Major
2 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Chem. 561 3 Major
Chemometrics, Data Handling and
3 Chem. 571 2 Major
Validation
4 Chemical Kinetics Chem. 581 2 Major
Total 10

Summer II
S/N Course Title Course Code Cr/Hr. Course Type Remark
1 Advanced Instrumental Analysis Chem. 572 3 Major
2 Practical Instrumental Analysis Chem. 576 2 Major
3 Adv. Environmental Chemistry & Chem. 542 2
Major
Toxicology
4 Advanced Separation and 2
Chem. 573 Major
Chromatographic Techniques
5 Seminar I* Chem. 592 1 Supportive
Total 10
*The Seminar topic will be given by the end of Summer I
Summer III
S/N Course Title Course Code Cr/Hr. Course Type Remark
1 Selected Topics in Analytical Chem. 679 2
Major
Chemistry
2 Research Methods and Scientific 1
Chem. 591 Major
Communications
3 Adv. Electroanalytical Chemistry Chem. 574 2 Major
5 Thesis Chem. 692 6 Major
Total 11
*The Seminar topic will be given by the end of Summer II
Summer IV
S/N Course Title Course Code Cr/Hr. Course Type Remark
1 Seminar II* Chem. 693 1 Supportive
2 Thesis Chem. 692 = Major
Total 1

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15. SEMINAR
All graduate students will enroll and successfully complete Chem. 592 in the 2nd Semester of
First year and Chem. 693 in the 1st semester of the second year as part of the requirement on
topics that are not related to their thesis.

16. THESIS

A Thesis is based on original research. The style of the thesis must follow standard or formal
recommendations as specified by the Graduate school. The thesis defense is an oral examination
of the thesis. This must be approved by the thesis committee of the Graduate School. The Thesis
work has to be started in the first semester of second year. Evaluation should be done by the
internal and external examiners based on Ambo University school of graduate studies (SGS)
guidelines for Thesis defense & evaluation.

Accepted thesis may be rated as “Excellent”, “Very Good”, “Good”, “Satisfactory”, and “Fail”
according to the following grading scale: -

Marks/Points % Rating Remarks

(85 – 100) Excellent
(75 – 84) Very Good
(60 – 74) Good
(50 – 59) Satisfactory
(< 50) Fail ( Rejected)

17. LIST OF COURSES

Chem. 542 Advanced Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology

Chem. 551 Advanced Organic Chemistry
Chem. 561 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Chem. 571 Chemometrics, Data processing and Validation
Chem. 572 Advanced Instrumental Analysis I
Chem. 573 Advanced Separation and Chromatographic Techniques
Chem. 574 Advanced Electroanalytical Chemistry
Chem. 576 Advanced Practical Instrumental Analysis
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Chem. 581 Chemical Kinetics
Chem. 592 Graduate Seminar I
Chem. 591 Research Methods and Scientific Communications
Chem. 578 Selected topics in Analytical Chemistry
Chem. 691 Thesis
Chem. 693 Graduate Seminar II

18. DETAILS OF COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Chem. 571 Chemometrics, Data processing and Validation (2 cr. hrs)

Errors in Classical Analysis (Statistics of Repeated Measurements); Selected Tests of

Significance in Environmental Analysis; Quality Control: Sampling Applied to Quality Control;
Collaborative Trials and Control Charts. Errors in Instrumental Analysis (Regression and
Correlation): The Correlation Coefficients, Limits of Detection, Regression Lines and Curve
Fitting. Non-parametric and Robust Methods. Experimental Design, Optimization and Pattern
Recognition.

Chem. 572 Advanced Instrumental Analysis (3 Cr. hrs)

Spectroscopic techniques: Principles, Instrumentation and applications; Components of

Spectroscopic Instrumentations; Interpretation of spectra: Ultraviolet, Infrared, NMR, Mass
Spectrometry, Fourier Transform techniques (FTIR, FTNMR); Quantitative and qualitative
analysis techniques in UV-Vis, AAS, FAES, FTIR, NMR (1H-NMR & 13C-NMR) spectroscopy.

Chem. 574 Advanced Electroanalytical Chemistry (2 Cr. hrs)

Potentials, thermodynamic and electrode kinetic aspects of the electrode-solution interface. Mass
transfer by migration and diffusion. Controlled potential methods: chronoamperometry;
chronocoulometry; polarography (d.c., normal and differential pulse); linear sweep and cyclic
voltammetry. Controlled current methods: chronopotentiometry. Hydrodynamic methods.
Techniques based on concepts of impedence, ac polarography/voltammetry. Bulk electrolysis
methods: electrogravimetry; coulometry; stripping analysis.

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Chem. 592 Seminar I (1 Cr. hr)

The purpose of this "course" is to help students develop the necessary skills to communicate
their knowledge to their colleagues and the public at large. It would entail organizing the content,
oral delivery and proper write-up of a particular finding or research results. The skills required to
do this will be discussed and practiced.

Chem. 576 Advanced Practical Instrumental Analysis (2 Cr. hrs)

Laboratory courses dealing with: Chromatographic methods; gas chromatography, liquid

chromatography. Electrochemical methods: polarographic methods, cyclic voltammetry,
coulometry, and chronopotentiometry. Spectroscopic methods: ultraviolet, infrared, NMR, mass
spectroscopy, and atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Chem. 578 Selected Topics in Analytical Chemistry (2 Cr. hr)

Topics will be selected which will enhance ongoing analytical chemistry research.

Chem. 693 Seminar II (1Cr. hrs)

Preparation of a project is a skill that has to be learned and practiced. The do’s and don’ts of
project preparations will be discussed and oral defense of the projects practiced. Each student
will then be required to prepare a project which he/she will defend in a seminar.

Chem. 561 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3 Cr. hrs)

Covalent bonds and bond energies: guides for writing Lewis structures; homonuclear and
heteronuclear bond energies; homonuclear and heteronuclear bond lengths; the prediction of
structures and reactions from bond energies; Shapes and polarities of molecules: valence shell
electron pair repulsion; hybridized orbitals; bond polarity and percent ionic character; Ionic
bonding and the solid state: the formation of free ions; electrostatic energies; covalency in ionic
crystals; ionic lattices based on cubic geometries; Ionic radii; Some ternary systems; Defect and
nonstoichometric lattices; Acid-base chemistry; Inorganic chemistry in non-aqueous solvents.

Chem. 551 Advanced Organic Chemistry (3 Cr. hrs)

A comprehensive survey of organic chemistry with emphasis on important synthetic reactions
and stereochemistry. Conformational analysis, configurations and chirality, symmetry elements,

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determination of absolute and relative configuration, stereochemistry of enzyme processes,
reaction mechanisms, synthetically useful reactions.

Chem. 542 Advanced Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology (2 Cr. hrs)

Discuses methods and protocols of environmental sampling and analysis in water, air and
biological matrices. Addresses EPA quality assurance and quality control plans. Focuses on the
chemical aspects of the human environment. Examines the sources, reactions, transport, effects
and fates of chemical species in water, soil, air and living environments and the effect of
technology thereon.

Chem. 581 Chemical Kinetics (2 Cr. hrs)

Reaction rates and rate laws: simple kinetic forms; reversible, parallel and consecutive reactions;
steady-state approximation. Deduction of reaction mechanisms. Reaction rate theories and
reaction energetics: temperature dependence of rate constant; activation parameters; kinetics and
thermodynamics; collision theory. Gaseous reactions: unimolecular, bimolecular and
trimolecular reactions. Reactions in solution: influence of solvent, ionic strength, pressure.
Linear Gibbs energy relationships. Reactions on surfaces: unimolecular and bimolecular surface
reactions. Complex reactions: examples of chain reactions; linear and branched chain reactions;
oscillating chemical reactions. Catalytic reactions: acid-base catalysis; enzyme catalysis.

Chem. 573 Advanced Separation and Chromatographic Techniques (2 Cr. Hrs)

Theory and practice of separation methods. Topics to be discussed include size exclusion
chromatography, affinity chromatography, TLC, Gas-Liquid chromatography, Gas-Solid
chromatography, HPLC and its type, Supercritical fluid chromatography, electrophoresis,
electrochromatography and other hyphenated techniques (LC-MS, GC-MS etc).

Chem. 591 Research Methods and Scientific Communication (1 Cr.hr)

Scientific writing and Communication: How to write a proposal, Thesis, Conference reports,
scientific articles (Title, Abstract, Introduction, Review Literature, Materials and Methods
including research designs, Results, Discussions, Acknowledgement, Reference, Summary,
conclusions and recommendations), Review papers; Oral Presentation, etc.

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