Absolute Basics of Elemental Analysis

Request course outlineBook courseArrange course onsiteTailor this courseConsultancy on GC & GC-MSAbsolute Basics of Elemental Analysis

Course summary

  • Duration: 1 day for face-to-face | Total of 6.5 hours for Virtual Classroom course
  • Course type: Universal, applicable to all instrumentation
  • Teaching method: Face-to-face OR online via live video, with instrument parts and consumables to see
  • Scheduled course venue: See venues
  • Online/onsite/in-house/offsite availability: Arrange this course just for you
  • On demand availability: Available
  • Scheduled course price: £385 + VAT
  • Course discount: RSC and CAMS members receive a discount on this course*

What will you learn on this course?

This is a perfect introduction for absolute beginners to ICP. The course will cover the what, why, where, when and how of ICP-OES & ICP-MS.

  • What is inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) & mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)?
  • How does ICP-OES and ICP-MS work? What instrumentation is available?
  • Why do we use ICP-OES and ICP-MS? How could it help solve problems and what answers could it give?
  • When do we use ICP-OES and ICP-MS? Which applications to answer what questions?
  • Where do we use ICP-OES and ICP-MS?

Learning outcomes

  • You will learn the definitions of inductively coupled plasma, optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry
  • You will learn about the types of samples, analytes and standards used in ICP-OES and ICP-MS
  • You will learn the principles and components of the ICP-OES system
  • You will learn about the principles and components of the ICP-MS system
  • You will learn the purpose and principles of data analysis
  • You will learn about different sampling techniques for ICP-OES and ICP-MS
  • You will learn about a number of industries and their application of ICP-OES and ICP-MS

Who is this course for?

  • Beginners - those new to Inductively Coupled Plasma techniques.
  • Analysts or Technicians looking for a refresher in these techniques.
  • Lab Managers and Line Managers - those who are responsible for the instruments or the analysts using them.
  • Data Analysts and Report Writers - technical specialists who aren't using the instruments but are using data from them.
  • Service Engineers and Consultant Engineers - those who look after or recommend the use of these instruments but don't have the chemistry background or chemistry viewpoint.
  • Those involved in the Sales or Marketing of these instruments, their consumables or their use for analysis - e.g. manufacturers, contract labs, media companies.

Book this course


Feedback from previous attendees of Virtual Classroom course

"The What How Why Where When... Is a good place for understand what are we looking for on a chapter."  Felipe González Henríquez, Food Engineer, Chile (August 2022).

"(I enjoyed) learning the different uses of the instruments."  On-Demand Virtual Classroom training (January 2021).

"I chose this course to gain more knowledge about ICP-OES as well as ICP-MS. Because of situation we couldn't take part in stationary classes however I think lectures were interesting and clear, lecturer has a lot of knowledge and he explains well. Undoubtedly, useful for people using these techniques is wide knowledge which method when can use for any sample. But also important is to know how we should take care about equipment and Richard gives good advice, that can be useful for someone who learns how to work with these spectrometers."
  Malgorzata Zurek, Laboratory Assistant, PCC Bakki Silicon (May 2020).

Feedback from previous attendees of Face-to-Face course

"Good overview of all the techniques to give a good basic understanding."  Adam Hudson, Scientist, LGC Ltd (July 2018).

"[I enjoyed] learning about ICP. Very friendly."  Helena Leask, Lab Analyst, E & S Environmental Services Ltd (July 2018).

"Good overview."  Catherine Love, Senior Scientist, LGC Ltd (July 2018).

"[I enjoyed] how to interpret data analysis as well as the different sorts of instrumentation used and their different variables as I have never used / have a background in ICP-MS etc. Very informative and use of slides. Not too much writing with diagrams and pictures to keep attentive. Learnt a lot!"  Chris George, Assistant Scientist, Environment Agency (onsite training, February 2018).

"I enjoyed the interaction from the instructor and the pace of the course. He kept it interesting and wasn't offended when I asked questions throughout the presentation. It was interesting and I feel like I have come away with new info and clarified a few things for myself."  Scientist from UK government agency (onsite training, February 2018).

"[I enjoyed] seeing more detailed examples of ICP-OES/MS."  Scientist from UK government agency (onsite training, February 2018).

"I felt like things were explained clearly and thoroughly."  Scientist from UK government agency (onsite training, February 2018).

"Easy to understand. The new technologies associated with the topic were very interesting."  Scientist from UK government agency (onsite training, February 2018).