Applied Interpretation of GC-MS spectra
- Duration: 3 days for live courses 12 hours for on-demand
- Experience level: Advanced
- Delivery methods: Face-to-face | Offsite training & consultancy | On-Demand | Online | Onsite training & consultancy | Tailored training |
- Type of course: Universal
- Applicable to manufacturer(s): Agilent | Bruker | Leco | PerkinElmer | Scion | Shimadzu | SRI | Thermo | Varian | Waters |
- CPD Approved: Approved
- Scheduled course price: £1,375.00 + TAX per delegate
- Course discounts: RSC CAMS HEaTED Cambridge Network members receive a discount on this course
Your advanced guide to interpreting spectra produced by mass spectrometers hyphenated to gas chromatographs (GC-MS) with electron ionisation (EI)
Go beyond the basics of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with this 3-day classroom-based, advanced training course interpreting GC-MS spectra, that is approved by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Designed for those professionals, students and chemists who already have a solid understanding of GC-MS but want to enhance their knowledge further, rather than just relying on library search matches. Go into the fundamental tools and rules used when examining high-quality full scan GC-MS data and get lots of practice with more than 40 exercises. Every GC-MS analyst should have a solid understanding of mass spectra and how to interpret them correctly and at the very least, can check their library search results make sense!
This GC-MS spectral interpretation course aims to enhance mass spectral knowledge by teaching you to quickly recognise from the spectrum if an analyte is aliphatic or aromatic in nature, to learning to interpret the number of carbon atoms, heteroatoms and degrees of unsaturation. This interpretation course will further teach you to understand logical and illogical losses alongside cleavages and rearrangements that produce a mass spectral fingerprint of the compound being analysed.
This course combines the theoretical side of mass spectral interpretation with a high proportion of exercises to reinforce the topics learnt throughout this course.
Why should I join?
On completion of this training course, you will have a more in-depth understanding of interpreting GC-MS spectra. From understanding the fundamentals and tools required for interpreting complex spectra to how to generate a high quality mass spectrum ready for interpretation.
This applied interpretation of GC-MS spectra course gives you:
- The fundamentals of mass spectral interpretation for GC-MS
- Clear explanations of GC-MS spectra and the information they provide
- Enhanced understanding of fragmentation patterns produced from GC-MS analysis
- Knowledge of the different types of cleavage mechanisms including alpha and inductive cleavage
- Lots of practice with over 40 exercises to greatly strengthen your learning
- Confidence to interpret complex GC-MS spectra of unknown compounds
- A good stepping stone, taking your intermediate GC-MS knowledge to a more advanced level
- A great opportunity for GC-MS analysts to enhance their knowledge
This is your chance to take your knowledge of GC-MS to an advanced level!
What would I learn?
This advanced course focuses on the fundamentals of mass spectral interpretation of GC-MS data including:
- The importance of obtaining high quality mass spectra
- The mechanism of electron ionisation (EI) in GC-MS
- Learn simple techniques to recognise and elucidate spectra
- How to observe fragmentation patterns for a range of organic compounds
- How to recognise and use isotope patterns
- Learn how to interpret the number of carbon atoms in a molecule undergoing GC-MS analysis
- How to use advanced tools such as the nitrogen rule, logical losses (radicals and neutrals) and how to calculate the amount of unsaturation’s in a proposed molecule (known as Double Bond Equivalent (DBE))
- How the understanding of fragmentation patterns can aid in identification when using library search programs
- Work through exercises throughout the 3-day course applying the knowledge learnt to various spectra produced by GC-MS instruments with EI
What knowledge will I gain?
By the end of the course, you will:
- Understand what constitutes a GC-MS mass spectrum and the information it provides
- Have an insight into how to obtain and the importance of high quality mass spectra
- Understand EI principles and how the ionisation process works to produce fragmentation through alpha and inductive cleavage
- Know how isotopes and isomers influence GC-MS mass spectra
- Comprehend the differences between saturated, unsaturated and aromatic hydrocarbons, and interpret their spectra with confidence
- Learn common tools and the different approaches used in the interpretation of unknown GC-MS spectra
- Understand McLafferty rearrangement and why it is an important tool in interpretation
- Gain confidence in applying the skills, tools and knowledge learnt to your own work outside of this course
Is this course for me?
This RSC approved GC-MS training course is designed for anyone who has good knowledge of the analytical technique GC-MS and would like an enhanced understanding of the interpretation of the mass spectra produced by GC-MS instruments with EI
- Analysts who use GC-MS in everyday analysis, whether this is routine or research
- Students who are currently studying and using GC-MS in their projects
- Laboratory or line managers overseeing GC-MS instruments and data
- Data analysts and report writers who work with and interpret GC-MS data
- Engineers, sales, commercial or marketing teams who work with GC-MS instruments and would like to take their knowledge to a higher level
If GC-MS spectral interpretation links to your work in anyway, this applied course delivered by experts in the field will provide you with a solid and deeper understanding of mass spectral interpretation for GC-MS along with lots of practice using the knowledge gained.
What's next?
Feedback from previous attendees
“I have not been on similar courses, but I have been on various Anthias courses which have all been very high quality and you really feel like the instructors know their subject matter well and are able to answer any questions you have.” Delegate, 2026
“I found the exercises very well thought out and used all areas of course knowledge. This really helped me get to grips with the course material in a way I found engaging and fun. Intense but informative. Had the right the right level of interaction for my learning style. Plus, Diane is very nice and incredibly knowledgeable.” Chemist, 2026
“The explanations were great, the instructor was explaining difficult concepts in a clear way and driving us to understand them with practical examples. I like that the course was structured in a practical and applicative way, that brings a knowledge that can be immediately applied at work.” QA/QC Controller, 2026
“The number of worked examples, rather than just going over the principles of interpretation actually doing a large number of worked examples really helped myself remember how to apply the principles.” On-Demand Virtual Classroom, March 2022.
“The knowledge and expertise of Diane and her willingness to allow the course participants to digest the information.” Mark Dowling, Senior Analytical Scientist, Teva (July 2021).
“(I enjoyed) the slowly building up of knowledge and proper application exercises.” Thomas Barrett, Research Fellow, The Open University (September 2018).
“It’s a lot of information about interpretation mass and good for me to change from ICP to GC-MS.” Hassan Saeed Almalki, First Specialist of Lab, SFDA, Saudia Arabia (September 2018).
“Well organised so easy to follow. Diane very engaging and knowledge wise perfect for the course.” Raquel Gonzàlez, Senior Analytical Chemist, Smithers Pira (March 2018).
“(I enjoyed the) explanation of the exercises which is very useful.” Scientist from the contact lens industry (March 2018).
“(I enjoyed the) practical examples.” Researcher from a university in Czech Republic (March 2018).
“(I enjoyed) a lot of practice, professional tutor.” Chemist from the biotechnology industry (March 2018).
“It is more practical and it is better to understand [than other courses].” Ivan Chóez-Guaranda, Research Assistant, ESPOL (September 2017).
“Good. (I enjoyed) hands-on doing lots of exercises.” Graham Akinson, Analytical Manager, Croda Europe (September 2017).
“(I enjoyed the) challenging exercises.” delegate from the chemicals industry (September 2017).
“(I enjoyed) the practical exercises.” Artem Krasnobaev, Research Associate, Wageningen UR (September 2016).
“….concise slides, clear figures and schemes, alternating theory and exercise applications…..this was the best taught (course) of them all.” Simona Nicoara, Analytical Research Technician, The Open University (October 2015).
“Very good. Really nice clear notes and answers. Thank you very much.” Debbie Salmon, Post Doc, Exeter University (May 2015).
“(I enjoyed) how well explained chemistry was to non-chemists allowing me to keep up throughout the entire course.” Research Fellow, UK University (May 2015).
“The comprehensible and easy way that the contents were presented.” Celia Lourenco, Research Assistant / PhD Student, The Open University (March 2014).
“It was well organised and informative. (I enjoyed) the practical element of actually doing the intrepretation.” Post Graduate Researcher (May 2013).
“Good and pedagogical lecturer. Find it easy to understand the material.” Analyst (May 2012).
