BL4295 Applications of Mass Spectrometry

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr C Melo Czekster

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr D Hughes and Dr S Young

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Mass spectrometry is becoming an ubiquitous technique in most areas of science. Specifically in biological sciences, mass spectrometry is more accessible and used more than ever, from quantification of metabolites and discovery of new natural prodcuts, to the quantitative “omics” and imaging that provides unique signatures to cells and tissues. We will cover principles of mass spectrometry for small molecule quantification, its usage in metabolomics, lipidomics, peptidomics/proteomics and mass spectrometry imaging. We will work on problem solving workshops to analyse data, and will engage with researchers and scientists employing mass spectrometry as an integral part of their work. The students will design an experiment using mass spectrometry and present on how this will solve a problem in an area of their choosing.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS BL3324

Assessment pattern

Coursework 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-4hrs/week for 9 weeks

Scheduled learning hours

24

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

131

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Design experiments for mass spectrometry analysis of small molecules
  • Interpret data from mass spectrometry experiments
  • Quantify metabolites by mass spectrometry
  • Identify metabolites by mass spectrometry
  • Write reports and impact statements to convey mass spectrometry results