Advanced Methods for Structural and Morphological Analysis

Code:

Q4084

Acronym:

Q4084

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Chemistry

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle.up.pt/course/view.php?id=2322
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Applications in Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:ABBS	1	Study plan since academic year 2025/2026	1	-	6	42	162
M:CTN	6	Study plan since academic year 2025/2026	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

- Recognize the role of structural and morphological analysis methods in a wide range of applications, from Pure and Applied Chemistry or (Nano)Materials Science to Biomedicine

- Learn the most relevant morphological and structural analysis techniques and their adequacy according to the desired applications

- Identify the scope and limitations that characterize each of the relevant structural analysis methods

- Identify the most appropriate techniques for the morphologial and structural characterization of different compounds and materials

- Read/interpret scientific papers related to the course area

- Elaborate a monograph on a selected subject related to the course area

- Present an oral communication on a relevant topic related to the course area

 

Learning outcomes and competences

The course’s main goal is to provide advanced training in morphological and structural analysis methods, allowing the students to understand the fundamentals and main applications of the most relevant techniques presently used for the characterization of molecules, (nano)materials and biological systems. The program starts by the revision of the fundamentals of each of the techniques to be addressed, followed by an in-depth study of each one of them and of their main current applications. Several case studies will be chosen on the basis of their interdisciplinarity and inclusion of one or more relevant techniques. These case studies will be analyzed and discussed with the students, aiming at consolidating their training, allowing them to develop their own ability to analyze more complex situations.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Not applicable

Program

1. Fundamentals of spectroscopy and radiation–matter interaction.


2. Vibrational spectroscopy: Infrared and Raman. Concepts, spectra interpretation and applications.


3. Fluorescence spectroscopy. Concepts and practical examples.


4. Nuclear magnetic resonance (solution and solid-state). Concepts, spectra interpretation and applications.


5. Scanning and transmission electronic microscopy. Concepts and examples.


6. Scanning probe microscopy: atomic force microscopy and scanning tunnelling microscopy. Concepts and practical demonstrations.


7. Case studies.

Mandatory literature

Yang Leng; Materials characterization. ISBN: 978-0-470-82298-2
K. Sultan; Practical Guide to Materials Characterization: Techniques and Applications, Wiley, 2022. ISBN: 9783527838820
P. Larkin; Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy – Principles and spectral Interpretation, 2nd edition, Elsevier, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-12-804162-8
Gonsalves, António M. d'A. Rocha; Melo, Teresa M. Y. D. Pinho; ;Espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear , Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, 2007. ISBN: 978-989-26-0357-5
Joseph R. Lakowicz; Principles of fluorescence spectroscopy. ISBN: 0-306-46093-9
P. W. Hawkes, J. C. H. Spence; Springer Handbook of Microscopy, Springer, 2019. ISBN: 978-3-030-00068-4

Complementary Bibliography

Manfred Hesse; Spectroscopic methods in organic chemistry. ISBN: 978-3-13-106042-6
Peter Eaton; Atomic force microscopy. ISBN: 978-0-19-957045-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

- Lectures: Presentation and exploration of syllabus topics using multimedia tools and and application examples; specialized topics will be presented by invited guests. The UC management will be made using the Moodle platform.

- Tutorial sessions: Analysis of samples by techniques explored in the course; acquisition, processing and interpretation of experimental data; use of specialized software for simulation and visualization, as well as for data processing; critical analysis of scientific articles; resolution of case studies involving structural analysis techniques; summary reports on lectures by invited guests; application of learnt concepts in the elaboration of original scientific materials, namely oral presentation and monographs, on topics related to the course.

- Evaluation: Distributed with final exam

- The distributed continuous assessment component includes:
(i) assignments developed during the TP/PL classes, reports on the techniques covered, discussion of scientific papers and case studies, reports on lectures by guests and homework;
(ii) a monograph;
(iii) an oral presentation of the monograph.

Final Mark = 50% Exam + 20% Tutorial sessions + 20% Monograph + 10% Oral presentation

 

keywords

Technological sciences > Technology > Nanotechonology
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Organic chemistry
Natural sciences > Biological sciences
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Biochemistry
Physical sciences > Chemistry
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Inorganic chemistry
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Molecular chemistry
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Structural chemistry

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Participação presencial	10,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Trabalho laboratorial	10,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	15,00
Estudo autónomo	65,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Trabalho escrito	25,00
Trabalho laboratorial	15,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

The number of the missed tutorials sessions must obey the "Estatutos da FCUP"

The exam Mark must be equal or higher than 7.5

The final mark of Tutorial classes must be equal or higher than 9.5

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Mark = 50% Exam + 20% Tutorial sessions + 20% Monograph + 10% Oral presentation

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Internship work/project

Not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Final Mark = 70% Exam + 30% Monograph

Classification improvement

Final Exam

Observations

Jury: Clara Isabel Barbosa Rodrigues Pereira