BSEN40520 Optical Spectroscopy

Academic Year 2024/2025

This course will introduce students to the field of optical spectroscopy. Optical spectroscopy provides information about the external world through measurement of the interactions between materials and light. This enables non-destructive measurement of quality in a wide range of agri-food, pharmaceutical and material science domains.

In this module, students will learn how to become critically aware of the basic principles, practice and applications of optical spectroscopic sensors. The underlying theory of ultraviolet, visible, near infrared, mid-infrared and Raman spectroscopy will be explored and illuminated through several real world examples. Standard approaches and configurations for acquisition and analysis of spectral and spatial data will be covered both in lecture and lab sessions. Spectroscopic data analysis tools such as Principal components analysis for will be implemented through tutorial sessions.

Students will participate in lectures, through group work in tutorials and laboratory work, where they will select and evaluate an application in optical spectroscopy. Participants will also be provided with spectroscopic data to explore in class.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Understand the basic principles of light-matter interaction at different wavelength ranges and spatial scales
2. Differentiate between, compare and contrast different optical spectroscopic techniques
3. Measure and compare spectral responses of materials using a range of optical spectroscopic techniques
4. Analyse and interpret spectral data using multivariate analysis

Indicative Module Content:

1. Fundamentals of electromagnetic spectrum wave/particle theory
2. Calibration curve development and prediction of concentration of unknown
3. Basic components of a UV-Vis spectrometers and their applications
4. Basis of IR spectroscopy and analysis
5. Operation principles behind FT-IR spectrometry
6. Basic principles and applications of NIR spectroscopy
7. Comparison between UV-Vis, Raman, MIR and NIR spectroscopy
8. Basic principles of Raman spectroscopy and analysis
9. Key components of a Raman spectrometer and its operation
10. Lab experiments to measure samples using Raman, NIR, MIR spectroscopy
11. Multivariate analysis of spectroscopic data from various sources

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

96
Total

120
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; enquiry & problem-based learning 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Exam (In-person): Exam based on module content n/a Graded No

50
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment on application of spectroscopic techniques n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Pre- and post- feedback on assignments will be provided throughout the semester for group and individual assessments.

Workman, J. The Handbook of Organic Compounds; NIR, IR, Raman, and UV-Vis Spectra Featuring Polymers and Surfactants (a 3-volume set), 2001