Advanced Analytical Chemistry: Sample Preparation
PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE at University of Copenhagen
This is a toolbox course where 80% of the seats are reserved to PhD students enrolled at the Faculty of SCIENCE at UCPH and 20% og the seats are reserved to PhD students from other Danish Universities/faculties (except CBS).
Anyone can apply for the course, but if you are not a PhD student at a Danish university (except CBS), you will be placed on the waiting list until enrollment deadline. After the enrollment deadline, available seats will be allocated to applicants on the waiting list.
The course is free of charge for PhD students at Danish universities (except CBS).
All other participants must pay the course fee (except if you are a master’s student from a Danish University).
Aim and Content
This toolbox PhD course focuses exclusively on advanced sample preparation methods important for chemical analysis in complex matrices. Topics include liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), solid-phase extraction (SPE), solid-phase microextraction (SPME), super-critical fluid extraction (SFE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and modern automated sample preparation technologies. The course provides theoretical knowledge and practical training in method optimization and troubleshooting.Hands-on laboratory exercises will emphasize real-world applications and solutions for complex sample
preparation challenges.
Learning outcomes
Intended learning outcome for the students who complete the course:
Knowledge:
• Describe the theory, tools, instruments, and techniques for sample preparation of organic
analytes.
• Deep understanding of modern sample preparation techniques.
• Automation and optimization strategies in sample preparation
Skills:
• Execute advanced extraction techniques efficiently.
• Optimize and troubleshoot complex sample preparation methods.
• Validate sample preparation procedures for analytical reliability.
Competences:
• Develop robust, efficient, and reproducible sample preparation methods tailored to complex analytical challenges.
• Evaluate and critically discuss sample preparation protocols and literature.
• Apply advanced sample preparation methods to interdisciplinary scientific research.
Target Group
PhD students across scientific disciplines who need advanced sample preparation techniques for their research.
Recommended Academic Qualifications
As prerequisite a course in instrumental analysis, like the BSc/MSc course “Analytical Chemistry” or the PhD course “Analytical Chemistry for Non-Analytical Chemists”, is strongly recommended
Research Area
Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Food Chemistry, Plant and Soil Chemistry,Pharmaceutical Sciences
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, practical laboratory exercises, theoretical problem-solving, industry guest lectures.
Type of Assessment
Oral exam graded by pass/non-pass.
Oral exam based on curriculum and practical experiences.
Literature
Selected articles, laboratory manuals, and electronic resources via Absalon
Course coordinator
Jan H Christensen, Professor, jch@plen.ku.dk
Dates
Start date Monday 21th September 2026.
End date Friday 19th October 2026.
Oral exam in the week after.
Expected frequency
Yearly mid September to mid October.
Course location
Frederiksberg Campus
Registration
It is recommended that PhD students contact the course coordinator before registration to ensure prerequisites are met.
Please email jch@plen.ku.dk directly before registering online if you have any questions.
Course fee
• Participant fee: DKK 4.000
• PhD student enrolled at SCIENCE: DKK 0
• PhD student from Danish PhD school Open market: DKK 0
• PhD student from Danish PhD school not Open market: DKK 3.000
• PhD student from foreign university: DKK 3.000
• Master's student from Danish university: DKK 0
• Master's student from foreign university: DKK 3.000
• Non-PhD student employed at a university (e.g., postdocs): DKK 3.000
• Non-PhD student not employed at a university (e.g., from a private company): DKK 8.400
Cancellation policy
• Cancellations made up to two weeks before the course starts are free of charge.
• Cancellations made less than two weeks before the course starts will be charged a fee of DKK 3.000
• Participants with less than 80% attendance cannot pass the course and will be charged a fee of DKK 5.000
• No-show will result in a fee of DKK 5.000
• Participants who fail to hand in any mandatory exams or assignments cannot pass the course and will be charged a fee of DKK 5.000
Course fee and participant fee
PhD courses offered at the Faculty of SCIENCE have course fees corresponding to different participant types.
In addition to the course fee, there might also be a participant fee.
If the course has a participant fee, this will apply to all participants regardless of participant type - and in addition to the course fee.