Module Details

Module Code: CHEM7006
Title: QA for Chemists
Long Title: Quality Assurance for the Chem
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4421 - Chemistry
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This course aims to give chemical analysts an understanding of the nature of quality and its role in the chemical industry.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Explain the role of quality within an organisation
LO2 Outline how quality applies to manufacturing and testing in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, including the role of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Quality Management Systems (QMS).
LO3 Construct and explain charts designed to aid in the control of variability of processes
LO4 Describe the elements of quality as they apply to the analytical chemistry laboratory
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).

13363 CHEM7006 QA for Chemists
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.

No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Quality Basics
Identifying and understanding quality. Quality in all areas: marketing, specification, design, purchasing, production, inspection, measurement, packaging, storage, service.
Quality for Process Industries
The management of quality for chemical, pharmaceutical and related industries. Outline of a quality management system (e.g. ISO 9000). Regulations such as 21CFR 211 and/or ICH Q7 as they relate to: suitability of equipment, SOPs, validation of processes, traceability, laboratory controls, documentation and records, control of nonconforming product etc.
Understanding variability in processes
Frequency distribution curves and their presentation. Normal distribution and standard deviation. Specification limits vs Process capability. Standardised normal curve and calculation of process capabilities. Process capability indices. Quality control charts, central limit theorem, Shewhart charts. Control charts for variables - Mean and range charts. Control charts for attributes. CUSUM charts.
Quality for the laboratory
Overview of quality assurance in the analytical chemistry laboratory including such topics as: sampling, statistical principles, validation, documentation, equipment calibration & maintenance, reference materials & their traceability, internal and external QC, Laboratory accreditation, Auditing and Ethics.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
Theory test
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Assessment Description
Complete an in-class essay on a topic which has been assigned and researched in advance
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Assessment Description
Practical quality, written/verbal communications in teams - e.g. prepare a written report and/or an oral presentation on a quality topic; to be completed late semester
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 50
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
Written assessment of course material held in last week of the course
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory and discussion classes Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Practical skills development Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Personal study Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory and discussion classes Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Practical skills development Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Personal study Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Donna C. Summers,. (2009), Quality, 6th. Pearson, London, [ISBN: 9780134413273].
  • James Miller. (2018), Statistics and Chemometrics for Analytical Chemistry.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Elizabeth Prichard and Vicki Barwick. (2007), Quality assurance in analytical chemistry, [ISBN: 0470012048].
  • NSAI. (2015), IS EN ISO: 9001:2015.
  • D.H. Besterfield. (2009), Quality control, Prentice Hall Ptr, Upper Saddle River, [ISBN: 0135000955].
  • Kehoe D.F.. (1996), The Fundamentals of Quality Management, [ISBN: 041262690X].
  • David Hoyle. (2007), Quality Management Essentials, Routledge, U.s., [ISBN: 9780750667869].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SCHQA_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Analytical Chemistry with Quality Assurance 5 Mandatory
CR_SCHEM_7 Bachelor of Science in Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry 5 Mandatory