Advanced Analytical Chemistry - Method Development and Validation
PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE at University of Copenhagen
This is a toolbox course where 80% of the seats are reserved for PhD students enrolled at the Faculty of SCIENCE at UCPH and 20% of the seats are reserved for PhD students from other Danish Universities/faculties (except CBS). Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and according to the applicable rules.
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.
Aim and Content
This toolbox PhD course focuses on advanced analytical method development and validation, which is important for rigorous and reliable chemical analyses.
The course covers method selection, optimization strategies, robustness testing, uncertainty estimation, validation parameters (linearity, accuracy, precision, detection limits), and quality assurance practices.
An optional extension is available (5 ECTS), allowing students to conduct a small analytical project within a larger funded research project, enhancing hands-on experience in real-world analytical challenges.
Learning outcomes
Intended learning outcome for the students who complete the course:
Knowledge:
• Understanding of analytical method development processes.
• Knowledge of validation criteria and quality assurance practices.
• Techniques for method optimization and robustness evaluation.
.Skills:
• Select, develop, and optimize analytical methods effectively.
• Perform validation, including accuracy, precision, and limit of detection evaluations.
• Document validation procedures and outcomes clearly and systematically.
Competences:
• Independently plan and execute analytical method validation.
• Critically evaluate and discuss validation procedures and their relevance to scientific and regulatory standards.
• Integrate validated analytical methods into broader research contexts effectively.
Target Group
PhD students across disciplines requiring expertise in analytical method development and validation 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
Please email jch@plen.ku.dk directly before registering online if you have any questions.
Research Area
Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Food Chemistry, Plant and Soil Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, theoretical exercises with a project work option covering 5 ECTS.
Type of Assessment
Completion of theoretical exercises (25%) and oral examination based on curriculum (75%).
Optional extended project evaluated separately.
Literature
Selected scientific articles, validation guidelines, laboratory manuals, and electronic resources shared via Absalon
Course coordinator
Jan H Christensen, Professor, jch@plen.ku.dk
Guest Lecturers
A guest lecturer from Topsoe presenting the project topic (this year sustainable fuels)
Dates
Start date Monday 16th November 2026.
End Date: 2nd December 2026
Then project starts and last until 20th January 2026
The course takes place every year.
Oral exam in the week after.
Expected frequency
Yearly mid November to mid Start December (End January for optional research project).
Course location
University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg Campus
Registration
It is recommended that PhD students contact the course coordinator Jan H. Christensen before registration to ensure prerequisites are met
Deadline for registration
1 November 2026.
Requirements for signing up
Seats to PhD students from other Danish universities will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and according to the applicable rules.
Applications from other participants will be considered after the deadline for registration.
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.
Course fee - Course 2,5 ECTS
• Participant fee: DKK 0
• 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 3000,-
• PhD student from foreign university: DKK 3000,-
• Master's student from Danish university: DKK 0
• Master's student from foreign university: DKK 3000,-
• Non-PhD student employed at a university (e.g., postdocs): DKK 3000,-
• Non-PhD student not employed at a university (e.g., from a private company): DKK 8400,-
Course fee - total 7,5 ECTS (additional 5 ECTS project work)
• Participant fee: DKK 4000,-
• 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 9000,-
• PhD student from foreign university:DKK 9000,-
• Master's student from Danish university: DKK 0
• Master's student from foreign university: DKK 9000,-
• Non-PhD student employed at a university (e.g., postdocs): DKK 9000,-
• Non-PhD student not employed at a university (e.g., from a private company): DKK 25.200,-
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