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Quality Analysis and Management

Code: 102501 ECTS Credits: 6
2025/2026
Degree Type Year
Chemistry OT 4

Contact

Name:
Manel Alcala Bernardez
Email:
manel.alcala@uab.cat

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

There is no specific prerequisite. It is assumed that the students has the basic training of the first three years of the Degree in Chemistry.

Objectives and Contextualisation

The objective of the subject is to introduce the student to the concept of quality as a strategic resource for competitiveness and to provide the necessary tools to develop the laboratory's activity in the framework of a quality system based on the standards and current regulations.
As specific goals, we can emphasize:
- Define the basic principles that regulate the quality standards in laboratories, as well as the tools for their application
- Introduce to the student other tools related to quality, such as certified reference materials, document writing, good laboratory practices, etc.
- Apply concepts and statistical tools in specific cases, intercomparison exercises, methods validation, control graphics, etc.
- Know the importance of the validation of methods and their protocols
- Acquire the basic concepts of accreditation and the accreditation and certification procedures of the laboratories

Competences

  • Adapt to new situations.
  • Apply knowledge of chemistry to problem solving of a quantitative or qualitative nature in familiar and professional fields.
  • Be ethically committed.
  • Communicate orally and in writing in one's own language.
  • Evaluate the health risks and environmental and socioeconomic impact associated to chemical substances and the chemistry industry.
  • Handle chemical products safely.
  • Have numerical calculation skills.
  • Lead and coordinate work groups.
  • Learn autonomously.
  • Manage, analyse and synthesise information.
  • Manage the organisation and planning of tasks.
  • Obtain information, including by digital means.
  • Propose creative ideas and solutions.
  • Reason in a critical manner
  • Resolve problems and make decisions.
  • Show an understanding of the basic concepts, principles, theories and facts of the different areas of chemistry.
  • Show initiative and an enterprising spirit.
  • Show motivation for quality.
  • Show sensitivity for environmental issues.
  • Use IT to treat and present information.
  • Use the English language properly in the field of chemistry.
  • Work in a team and show concern for interpersonal relations at work.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Adapt to new situations.
  2. Assign the appropriate quality management system in accordance with the type of activity of the organisation in question.
  3. Be ethically committed.
  4. Communicate orally and in writing in one's own language.
  5. Describe the necessary stages to establish an environmental certification system.
  6. Design preliminary activities for auditing an organisation's quality.
  7. Distinguish the different quality management systems, considering their application to industry and research.
  8. Draft and interpret security reports on a chemical substance.
  9. Have numerical calculation skills.
  10. Identify the cases of application of national and EU legislation regarding security in the use, transport and commercialisation of chemistry products.
  11. Identify the different legal frameworks of chemistry activity: chemical products, safety and environmental impact.
  12. Identify the relevant aspects of organic and inorganic chemistry in associated industrial sectors.
  13. Lead and coordinate work groups.
  14. Learn autonomously.
  15. Manage, analyse and synthesise information.
  16. Manage the organisation and planning of tasks.
  17. Obtain information, including by digital means.
  18. Propose creative ideas and solutions.
  19. Reason in a critical manner
  20. Resolve problems and make decisions.
  21. Show initiative and an enterprising spirit.
  22. Show motivation for quality.
  23. Show sensitivity for environmental issues.
  24. Summarise an article written in English in a reasonable time.
  25. Understand current concepts of quality and work in the chemistry laboratory.
  26. Use common English terminology for industrial chemistry, electrochemistry and corrosion, environmental chemistry, green chemistry, quality management, monitoring systems, and financial and business management.
  27. Use IT to treat and present information.
  28. Work in a team and show concern for interpersonal relations at work.

Content

SUBJECT 1. Basic aspects of quality assurance
Lesson 1. Introduction to quality: Evolution of the concept of quality. Basic components of quality. Implementation of quality systems.
Lesson 2. Regulatory references of quality systems: Normalization and normalization bodies. Certification and accreditation. Introduction to the Standards, Institutions and related Organisms. Generic systems for quality management.
Lesson 3. Introduction to ISO 9001 and ISO / IEC 17025. General principles. Description. Types of documents used in the quality system. Risk analysis concept.
Lesson 4. Introduction to Good Laboratory Practices. Scope. General principles. Description. Documentation. Differences with ISO standards.
Lesson 5. Quality audits: Audits in a quality system. Planning and conducting audits. Documentation.
SUBJECT 2. Metrological tools.
Lesson 6. Quality in the laboratory: Metrology in chemistry. The quality in the analytical process. Traceability as a basis for analytical quality. Uncertainty in the measurement and analytical results.
Lesson 7. Statistical tools used in quality: Basic concepts and statistical tools: sample and population. Significance tests. Comparison of two sets of results. ANOVA. Calculation of the uncertainty of an analytical method. Expression of results.
Lesson 8. Quality in basic laboratory work: Materials: mass measurement and volume. Reagents: qualities. Basic andchemical patterns. Certified reference materials.
SUBJECT 3. Activities for quality.
Lesson 9. Sampling and sample management: Sample type. Sampling error and its decrease. Sampling methods. Management of samples.
Lesson 10. Validation of analytical methods: Concept and type of validation. Quality parameters. Application guides (ICH) R3.
Lesson 11. Internal quality control: Control activities. Control graphics (Shewart and accumulated sums). Practical aspects of internal quality control.
Lesson 12. Intercomparison exercises: Quality evaluation. Definition and type of intercolaboration exercises. Tests of aptitude. Collaborative and certification exercises.


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Practical classes in the classroom 10 0.4 4, 21, 22, 16, 17, 19, 20, 24, 9, 26
Theory 34 1.36 2, 22, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 3, 23, 8, 25, 24, 26
Type: Supervised      
Seminars 7 0.28 1, 4, 21, 3, 23, 18, 19, 20, 9, 26
Type: Autonomous      
Autonomous study 60 2.4 1, 14, 2, 4, 21, 22, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 10, 11, 3, 23, 17, 18, 19, 8, 25, 20, 24, 9, 27, 26
Type of activity: Self-learning 11 0.44 1, 14, 4, 21, 22, 15, 16, 13, 3, 23, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 9, 28, 27, 26

There are two types of teaching methodology in this subject, face-to-face and self-learning activities.
Face-to-face activity:
- Classes in the classroom: they will consist of the presentation of the main theoretical concepts that make up the subjects that are the object of the study.
- Exercises in the classroom: Students will have a collection of exercises and / or practical cases proposed by the teacher that will be resolved in the classroom.

 - Seminars: Practical aspects derived from the introduction of a system of quality assurance in laboratories by experts in the subject that work in an industry will be discussed in the classroom. Specific cases to be resolved by means of spreadsheets (so that the student has contact with the management and data control systems) will be also considered.
The material presented to the theory classes and the exercises will be available to the students in Moodle in advance enough before each subject.
Self-learning activity:
- Preparation and delivery of specific numerical cases and practical cases, both individually and in groups, proposed by the teacher. This activity will be considered in the student's evaluation.
- If the number of students allows it, preparation and defense of a specific case on quality assurance / validation. Evaluable section.
Class transparencies are in English (mostly) and Spanish. The exams and works can be done in English, Catalan or Spanish.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Cooperative activities 20 19 0.76 1, 14, 21, 22, 15, 16, 13, 3, 23, 17, 18, 19, 25, 20, 24, 9, 28, 27, 26
Midterm exam I 37,5 3 0.12 1, 2, 4, 22, 5, 6, 7, 15, 3, 18, 19, 25, 20, 9, 26
Midterm exam II 37,5 3 0.12 1, 4, 22, 15, 10, 11, 3, 23, 18, 12, 19, 8, 25, 20, 9, 26
Seminars or lectures in the classroom 5 3 0.12 1, 14, 21, 15, 16, 13, 3, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 28, 27, 26

CONTINUOUS EVALUATION
The evaluation of the subject will be carried out through a continuous evaluation that will consist of:
1) Presentation of works that will be carried out individually or in previously defined groups. Sending files via Moodle. The submission of the works is mandatory. The works must be approved with a minimum grade of 5.0 out of 10 for them to be weighted in the final grade. The average grade of the works will be 20% of the final grade.
2) Presentation of an oral summary of each conference or seminar given. This summary will be presented individually by sending a video file via Moodle. Each summary must be approved with a minimum grade of 5.0 out of 10 for them to be weighted in the final grade. The average grade of the oral summaries will be 5% of the final grade. Attendance at the seminars or conferences and the submission of the summaries are mandatory. If for any reason they could not be carried out, their weighting in the evaluation would be distributed equally to the other items.
3a) Two partial exams that will evaluate theory and problems. The two partial exams will evaluate approximately two halves of the syllabus. Both partial exams must be passed (each with a minimum grade of 5.0 out of 10) to be considered for the final grade, otherwise each failed partial exam will be replaced by a make-up exam. The grade for each partial exam will be 37.5% of the final grade.
3b) A make-up exam that will evaluate theory and problems for the part of the syllabus corresponding to the failed partial exam. This make-up exam replaces the failed partial exam and is not intended to increase the grade when the partial exam is passed. Taking the make-up exam will invalidate the grade for the failed partial exam. A minimum grade of 5.0 out of 10 must be obtained in the make-up exam to be considered for the final grade, otherwise the subject will be failed. The grade for the make-up exam will be 37.5% of each failed partialexam. Only the grade for failed exams can be recovered. The grades and weights of failed written or oral assignments are not recovered.
To pass the subject, a minimum final grade of 5.0 points out of 10 must be obtained in the weighted sum of each part (20% assignments, 5% oral summaries, 2 x 37.5% midterm exams).
If the written assignments or oral summaries of the conferences and seminars are not submitted, the student will be classified as "not assessable", regardless of the grade of the midterm exams.
To participate in recovery, students must have previously been assessed in a set of activities whose weight is equivalent to a minimum of two-thirds of the total grade of the subject.
Students who do not pass the subject because they do not pass one or more parts (assignments, oral summaries, and/or exams), regardless of their overall average, will obtain a maximum final grade of 4.5.

 

SINGLE EVALUATION
Students who take part in the single evaluation must do the following:
1) Presentation of assignments that do not require in-person attendance. Sending files via Moodle. Submission of assignments is mandatory. Assignments must be approved with a minimum grade of 5.0 out of 10 for them to be considered in the final grade. The average grade of the assignments will be 20% of the final grade.
2) Presentation of an oral summary of each lecture or seminar given, which does not require in-person attendance. This summary will be presented individually by sending a video file via Moodle. Each summary must be approved with a minimum grade of 5.0 out of 10 for them to be considered in the final grade. The average grade of the oral summaries will be 5% of the final grade. If for any reason they cannot be carried out, their weighting in the evaluation would be distributed equally to the other items.
3a) A single exam that will evaluate theory and problems from the entire syllabus. The day of the single exam coincides with the date of the second partial exam. The single exam must be passed (minimum grade of 5.0 out of 10) for it to count towards the final grade, otherwise it will be replaced by a retake exam. The grade of the single exam will be 75% of the final grade.
3b) A retake exam that will evaluate theory and problems from the entire syllabus. This retake replaces the failed single exam and is not intended to increase the grade when the single exam is passed. Taking the retake will invalidate the grade of the failed single exam. The day of the retake exam is the same date as the continuous assessment retake exam. A minimum grade of 5.0 out of 10 must be obtained in the retake exam to count towards the final grade, otherwise the subject will be failed. The grade of the retake exam will be 75% of the final grade. Only the grade of the failed exam can be recovered. The grades and weights of failed written or oral assignments are not recovered.
To pass the subject, a minimum final grade of 5.0 points out of 10 must be obtained in the weighted sum of each part (20% assignments, 5% oral summaries, 75% single exam).
If the written assignments or oral summaries of the conferences and seminars are not submitted, the student will be classified as "not assessable", regardless of the grade of the partial exams.
To participate in recovery, students must have previously been assessed in a set of activities whose weight is equivalent to a minimum of two-thirds of the total grade of the subject.
Students who do not pass the subject because they do not pass one or more parts (assignments, oral summaries, and/or exams), regardless of their overall average, will obtain a maximum final grade of 4.5.


Bibliography

Although it does not follow the order of the program and the regulations referred to are not the current ones, it can be considered a textbook with the basic content of the subject: R. Compañó Beltrán, A. Ríos Castro; Garantía de la calidad en los Laboratorios analíticos ". Editorial Síntesis. Madrid (2002).

Review and update of a classic textbook on the subject. The UAB has the electronic version of the book that is free to access: E. Prichard, V. Barwick; Quality assurance in analytical chemistry. Wiley (2007).

General statistics text; It is simple, convenient and practical: James Miller, Jane C Miller and Robert D. Miller; Statistics and Chemometrics for Analytical Chemistry, 7th Ed, Pearson Higher Education (2018).
 
A book about statistical tools applied to quality. (There is an e-book of 2012): P. Konieczka, J. Namieśnik; Quality assurance and quality control in the analytical chemical laboratory: A practical approach. CRC Press, Boca Ratón (2009). Un libro sobre las herramientas estadísticas aplicadas a la calidad. (Existe una edición e-book del 2012).

Tools for the use in statistical tests, linear regression, validation of methods, control charts, interlaboratory exercises, etc. There is an electronic version available at the UAB: M. Reichenbächer, J.W. Einax; Challenges in Analytical Quality Assurance. Springer (2011).

 


Software

Microsoft Excel will be used


Groups and Languages

Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed