Who should take this course?

This course is designed to provide basic knowledge and practical applications of LC-MS for liquid chromatographers. Most of the examples emphasize the most popular use of LC-MS/MS today: the analysis of drugs in metabolites in biological extracts. Although no previous experience with HPLC is necessary, the course will be especially valuable to those with some chromatography experience. 

What does it cover?

LC-MS Demystified is a course explaining the principles of mass spectrometric detection, the design and operation of mass spectrometers, and the interfacing of the MS to the liquid chromatograph to obtain both qualitative and quantitative data. This course covers:

• MS operation, including the operation of the most popular LC-MS interfaces
• How a quadrupole mass filter works
• MS calibration and optimization
• Ion production, fragmentation and detection
• Operation in MS, MS-MS and MS-MS-MS modes
• Introduction to structure determination by product ion analysis

What do I need in order to take the course?

• A personal computer (Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android)
• A high-speed (broadband) internet connection
• A phone connection with headset or speakerphone

Here's how it works:

1. After you register we'll e-mail your course log-in information and password.
2. Download and print a hard copy of the course handout (approximately 200 pages).
3. About five minutes before the start of the course, log in to www.gotomeeting.com to download the gotomeeting client and check in for the course. Dial the phone number* for the conference call connection that you were given in your confirmation e-mail.
4. The course runs a total of six hours in three 2.5-hour sessions .
   

*Standard long-distance phone rates will apply (approximately $10.00).

Registration cost: $947 for a single person. Additional registrants from the same lab are 30% off the regular price; payment via credit card (MC, VISA, or AMEX only).

What topics are covered?

The course is presented in three 2.5-hour sessions "live on the web". This course is interactive, so the exact timing will vary somewhat depending on participants' interests and questions. A typical schedule looks like this:

Section 1 - Overview of LC-MS

• What is LC-MS?
• Quadrupole vs. Ion Trap vs. Magnetic Sector vs. Ion Trap
• Basic requirements for LC-MS

Section 2 -- Principles of Quadrupole Mass Analyzers

• Quadrupole physics
• How a mass filter works
• Mass resolution vs. sensitivity
• Resolving power
• Some compromises

Section 3 -- Basics of Quadrupole Instrumentation

• Instrument layout
• The role of the interface
• Electrospray (ESI) vs. Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI)
• Detection, vacuum system, computer interface
• TICs vs. EICs (XICs)

Section 4 - The Sample Ion

• Ion formation
• Isotopic effects
• Electron Impact vs. Chemical Ionization
• Ion fragmentation

Section 5 -- Calibration and Tuning

• Defining a mass spectrum
• Calibration
• Tuning

Section 6 -- Qualitative Analysis

• Confirming identity
• Establishing a structural relationship
• Proposing structures
• MS-MS vs MS-MS-MS

Section 7 -- Developing the MS Method

• Overview of sample preparation
• Stepwise development
• Internal standards
• Role of signal-to-noise

Section 8 -- Developing the LC Method

• Using an existing method
• LC method development steps
• The scouting gradient
• Ion suppression