Analytical chemistry is the subdiscipline of chemistry dealing with determining which substances (qualitative analysis) and how much (quantitative analysis) of these substances are present in a given sample.
During analysis, various chemical and physical properties of substances - such as solubility in different solvents, interaction with light or electrochemical reactions - are used to separate and detect different substances. Analytical chemists develop instruments and methods to solve analytical problems. Developing a new method is usually a process of several steps, starting with sample collection and finishing with evaluation of results. This demands a thorough knowledge of instrumental techniques as well as statistics.
The analytical chemistry tought at our department can be divided into: - Separation methods, for example gas and liquid chromatography and electrophoresis - Spectroscopy, for example mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy - Electrochemical methods - Chemometrics
Combining different techniques, mainly a separation step and a spectroscopic or electrochemical measurement method, has led to powerful instruments. These allow fast and reliable identification and quantification of several substances simultaneously, even with complex samples.
Environmental research, pharmaceuticals, biogeochemical cycles and many other fields provide interesting problems for analytical chemists.
Professional opportunities
The demand for analytical chemists within the private and public sectors is very high, both in Sweden and internationally. Surveys in Sweden have shown that 40-60 % of job offers for chemists are for analytical chemists. Analytical chemists work in a multitude of industrial sectors: medicine, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, food, forensic chemistry, pulp and paper, paint and much more.
Highlights - Education
How to apply: Applications are primarily handled by the Swedish National Agency for
Higher Education. In certain cases it is also possible to apply directly through the department. Read more here.
EU, EEA and Swiss students: For students from countries within the EU, the EEA and Switzerland the courses are free of charge, there are NO tuition fees. Read more here.
