PhD Courses in Denmark

Objectives of the course:

The objective of the course is to provide students with competences within application and analysis of time-resolved analytical measurements, primarily in environmental engineering and chemistry. As part of this course, students will learn theories of specific online instrumentation, learn about theoretical and practical challenges and solutions for statistical analysis of time-resolved data, and complete small projects including measurement and data analysis.
 

Learning outcomes and competences:

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

- Present and discuss theories of PTR-MS and CRDS including advantages and limitations in their application

- Discuss the scientific potential of online measurements as well as potential pitfalls

- Use PTR-MS or CRDS instruments to generate time series data under dynamic conditions (e.g., temporal changes, perturbations, interventions or treatments)

- Process, visualize, and summarise time series data obtained by PTR-MS or CRDS using R, Python, or similar software

- Analyse measurement data using appropriate statistical methods to evaluate hypotheses (e.g., about changes over time or effect of treatment or intervention) using R, Python, or similar software

Course parameters:

Language: English

Level of course: PhD course

Time of year: Q1 2024

No. of contact hours/hours in total incl. preparation, assignment(s) or the like: 8-10 hours of lectures, 8-10 hours of supervised theoretical exercises, >15 hours of experimental work, 15-20 hours of data treatment with access to supervisor assistance, 8 hours of presentation preparation, 5 hours of participation in oral presentation event, 15-20 hours of general preparation and reading. In total 75-90 hours of course work.

Capacity limits: 12 Participants

Course fee: None

Compulsory programme:

Execution and accomplishment of student-defined experimental activity resulting in relevant online data. 20 minute oral presentation of data and analysis of data.
 

Course contents:

The course consists of three stages:

1. Introduction, theory and selection of mini-project. This part consists of lectures and theoretical exercises. The selection of project is done via discussion with teachers and needs to be approved.
2. Carrying out mini-project (experimental) targeting time-series data. This part involves at least 2 days. Mini-projects can be done individually or in groups of 2.
3. Data analysis and application of statistical tools

In addition, there will be inspirational lectures presenting relevant cases that include online data and data treatment.

The mini-projects are defined by students but approved by teachers after counselling. The course will focus on two online measurement techniques: Proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS).

Prerequisites:

Masters degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental engineering or equivalent. The participants should have completed course work in analytical chemistry during their previous education. Some experience within R and/or Python (or equivalent) is an advantage and if the participant has no prior experience with coding, then a higher workload is to be expected.
 

Name of lecturers:

Anders Feilberg (BCE)

Michael J Hansen (BCE)

Sasha Hafner (BCE)

Kasper V Kristensen (BCE)

Merete Bilde (Dept. Of Chem.)

Type of course/teaching methods:

Lectures, theoretical exercises, laboratory activities, student presentations.

Literature:

Scientific articles

Course assessment:

Oral presentation (20 minutes). Passed/Not passed.
 

Time:

Specific days or half days in February and March
 

Place:

Aarhus University

Course fee:

None

Registration:

Deadline for registration is 3 January 2024. Information regarding admission will be sent out no later than 10 January 2024.

For registration: Register via e-mail to af@bce.au.dk

If you have any questions, please contact Anders Feilberg, e-mail: af@bce.au.dk