Hands-on Sample Preparation
- Duration: 8 days for live courses
- Experience level: Advanced
- Delivery methods: Face-to-face | Offsite training & consultancy | Onsite training & consultancy | Tailored training |
- Type of course: Universal
- Applicable to manufacturer(s): Agilent | Bruker | CDS Analytical | CTC analytics | Frontier | GERSTEL | GL Sciences | Leco | OI Analytical | PerkinElmer | Pyrolab | Sciex | Scion | Shimadzu | SRI | Thermo | Varian | Waters |
- CPD Approved: Approved
- Scheduled course price: £4,100.00 + TAX per delegate
- Course discounts: RSC CAMS HEaTED Cambridge Network members receive a discount on this course
Your Hands-on approach to analytical sample preparation
Combine the practical theory of modern-day sample preparation techniques with laboratory-based exercises in this Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) approved training for Continued Professional Development (CPD). This 8-day Hands-on course is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice introducing a range of sample preparation techniques, including derivatisation, solid phase extraction (SPE), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), headspace, solid phase micro-extraction (SPME), thermal desorption, pyrolysis and purge & trap.
This Hands-on Sample Preparation course is ideal for analysts, students and professionals who use GC, GC-MS, LC and LC-MS and would like to develop more in-depth knowledge on sample preparation techniques for analysis on these instruments. Gain a thorough understanding of the chemistry behind analyte extraction, concentration, clean-up and chemical modification, allowing you to confidently select, optimise and troubleshoot suitable sample preparation methods for a wide range of applications.
Why should I join?
On completion, you will have both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience required to use these sample preparation techniques in your laboratory.
This Complete Sample Preparation course gives you:
- A complete understanding of sample preparation techniques used with GC, GC-MS, LC and LC-MS
- Clear explanations of extraction chemistry, analyte recovery, matrix effects and sample clean-up
- Familiarity with derivatisation, SPE, LLE, headspace, SPME, thermal desorption, pyrolysis and purge & trap
- Insight into automated sample preparation systems and modern laboratory workflows
- Knowledge of method optimisation, calibration, validation and quantitative analysis
- Understanding of thermal extraction techniques and material characterisation methods
- Practical strategies for improving sensitivity, selectivity and analytical robustness
- A solid understanding of maintenance requirements and troubleshooting common sample preparation problems
What would I learn?
This Hands-on training provides an overview of analytical sample preparation from both theoretical and practical perspectives. You will learn the:
- Principles of analyte extraction, partitioning and recovery
- Selection and optimisation of extraction solvents and extraction conditions
- Selection of SPE phases including reversed-phase, normal-phase, ion-exchange and mixed-mode materials
- Fundamentals of derivatisation chemistry including silylation, acylation and alkylation
- Principles of static and dynamic headspace sampling
- Theory behind partition coefficients and equilibrium processes in headspace analysis
- Thermal Desorption sampling, sorbent selection and thermal extraction techniques
- Pyrolysis-GC-MS and thermal degradation analysis of polymers and complex materials
- Method development strategies for sample preparation
- Quantitative analysis and calibration considerations
- Troubleshooting extraction recoveries, contamination, carryover and matrix effects
What knowledge will I gain?
- Knowledge of the principles and practical application of modern sample preparation techniques
- Understand how analytes interact with solvents, sorbents, fibres, gases and extraction systems
- Comprehend the factors affecting extraction efficiency, selectivity and reproducibility
- Know how to select the most appropriate sample preparation technique for a given analytical challenge
- Understand the strengths and limitations of derivatisation, SPE, LLE, headspace, SPME, thermal desorption, pyrolysis and purge & trap
- Be familiar with analyte partitioning, sorption mechanisms and matrix effects
- Understand derivatisation reactions and when they should be applied
- Know how to optimise sample preparation methods for improved sensitivity and robustness
- Understand thermal extraction mechanisms used in thermal desorption and Pyrolysis-GC-MS
- Gain insight into advanced techniques including thermochemolysis, online sampling, automated SPE and advanced extraction technologies
- Be able to diagnose and troubleshoot poor recoveries, contamination, carryover, breakthrough, matrix interference and derivatisation failures
- Understand maintenance requirements associated with modern sample preparation systems
Is this course for me?
This RSC approved for CPD training is designed for anyone who needs both a theoretical and practical grasp of sample preparation, including:
- Analysts & technicians requiring training or a clear structured refresher of sample preparation
- Laboratory or line managers overseeing sample preparation techniques
- Data analysts and report writers who interpret results but don’t use the instruments
- Service and consultant engineers who need both a theoretical and a hands-on reminder for sample preparation
- Sales, marketing or commercial teams working with sample preparation systems, consumables or laboratory services
If sample preparation touches your work in any way, this well-planned course delivered by experts in the field equips you to understand the science behind these techniques.
Course combinations
Can’t attend the full course? No worries, combine days or modules to create training that works best for you. The more days you book the larger the discount.
- For 2 days or modules, pay £1250
- For 3 days or modules, pay £1825
- For 4 days or modules, pay £2350
- For 5 days or modules, pay £2850
Please note, discounts won’t apply when booking but will appear on your invoice.
Feedback from previous attendees
“I enjoyed the practical training and the way to think to solve the problems, derivatisation reagents, practical exercises and how to do automated LLE. Compared to other courses this one covered both the practica and theoretical elements.” Chemist, 2024
“(I enjoyed) having to interact with instruments and analysing samples.” delegate from the petrochemicals industry (September 2018).
“I enjoyed the way the presenter gave the course. I liked the useful slides and hand-outs.” Fatima Al Wahshi, a Research Scientist from the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company, who attended a 3-day course (Aug 2013).
“[I enjoyed] the mixture between the theoretical presentation and hands on the equipment for practical experiments.” Celia Laurence, a research assistant from The Open University (Aug 2013).
“I enjoyed the Hands on experience gained.” Tracy Warr, Laboratory technician at Satra Technology Centre, who attended the 1-day Thermal Desorption course from the Hands-on Sample Preparation course.
“I enjoyed the knowledge of the presenter and the ability to actually see the instrument work.” Research technician at a University who attended the 1-day Thermal Desorption course from the Hands-on Sample Preparation course.
