Advanced Analytical Chemistry: Arctic Pollution Research
PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE at University of Copenhagen
Project work represents the heart of the course. Here, the participants train aspects of sampling, sample preparation, chemical analysis, quality assurance, data analysis and spatial modelling. The project work includes one week of field work in the Arctic or Sub-Arctic including sampling, sample preparation and chemical analysis on-site, as well as spatial modelling
Formal requirements
NOTE:
Application as soon as possible > on the 17th March at the latest (applications after the deadline will also be considered in case we have available seats)
If you would like to participate please:
1) Register online by clicking on "Apply" and
2) Send an e-mail to Jan H. Christensen jch@plen.ku.dk stating your motivations (15-20 lines) and CV (max 2 pages).
On the basis of your motivation letter and CV we will decide whether you will be called for an interview to be accepted on the course.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
•The students will acquire in depth knowledge about what is required to assess Arctic environmental pollution, from generating the research question, literature study, planning and executing a research expedition, sampling in Arctic environments, sample preparation and chemical analysis when resources and time are limiting factors, data processing, quality control and quality assurance, method validation, quantification of environmental pollutants, visualisation of results, writing manuscripts for peer review publication.
•The students will have in depth knowledge of especially environmental pollution related to the chemical class of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and derivatives.
Skills:
•Students will define their own research project within the field of Arctic environmental pollution based on peer review literature and research interests, while assessing feasibility, significance and novelty of the research idea.
•Students will use sampling theory to obtain representative environmental samples from the Arctic.
•Students will modify existing sample preparation protocols so that they are operational in field-settings and short time-frames.
•Students will use chromatography and mass spectrometry to assess environmental pollutant in complex samples.
•Students will quantify environmental pollutants using internal standard calibration approaches.
•Students will process data using statistics and visualisation tools e.g. GIS.
•Students will draft manuscripts intended for peer review publication. The research project will also be disseminated orally at the exam.
Competences:
•The student can carry out research in a complex and unpredictable environmental context.
•The student can participate in an international research collaboration.
•The student can initiate a research proposal, execute an experimental- and field-based research project and disseminate finding in peer review format.
•The student can generate new knowledge and contribute to the monitoring of Arctic environmental pollution.
Literature
Generic literature will be available through Absalon. Otherwise, for each research project, the student groups should actively include 5 relevant peer review articles in their work each week as the course progress
Target group
The course is relevant to PhD-students who with an interest in analytical chemistry, environmental monitoring, pollution research, the Arctic and sub-Arctic environment including monitoring the pollution level of environmental compartments and biota.
Applicants with analytical chemistry experience at least equivalent to the course Analytical Chemistry (block 3, UCPH) will be referred, but other competencies relevant to Arctic environmental pollution investigations will also be considered
Teaching and learning methods
> Field work including sampling in the environment and laboratory work.
> Lectures and student colloquia.
> Preparation by reading scientific literature and teaching material.
> Project work, i.e. data processing, scientific writing.
Lecturers
External partner & co-supervisor on all student projects:
Sigurd Christiansen, Assistant prof. in Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Faroe Islands
Guest Lecturer:
Kirsten Seestern Christoffersen, Professor in Biology and Station Manager at UCPH Arctic Station on Disko Island, Greenland
Department of Biology, UCPH
Remarks
Course fee 20.000 DKK
No-show fee 20.000 DKK
Cancellation after booking of flights, accommodation and transport of laboratory equipment and consumables by course organisers is not possible. Cancellation before these dates, may result in partial refund of the 20.000 DKK as evaluated by the course responsible.
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UCPH discloses non-sensitive personal data to course leader/speakers, if any. In addition, we will disclose non-sensitive personal data to the other participants in the course. Non-sensitive personal data includes names, job positions, institution names & addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.
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NB. applicants outside UCPH applying for PhD courses for the first time: press "login for others" in upper right corner of website. Then choose "forgot password" and enter your mail. A password will be sent to your mail which enables you to make a login and apply for the course.