One-Day Course
Date to be announced; 8:30am – 5:00pm
Dr. Merlin Bicking, ACCTA, Inc., St. Paul, MN
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Analyzing HPLC data is essential to producing reliable analytical results, yet formal training in chromatographic data analysis is often limited. This course is designed to help new and intermediate analysts become more efficient and confident in their data analysis workflows.
The course focuses on three critical areas: evaluating chromatographic quality, integrating peaks correctly, and using calibration data to accurately quantify analytes. Emphasis is placed on best practices and common pitfalls that can lead to significant analytical errors. Real‑world data sets and examples are used throughout to reinforce practical decision‑making.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This course is intended for new and intermediate‑level analysts who generate or process chromatographic data. It is also valuable for anyone responsible for reviewing chromatography results, including supervisory and managerial staff, who would benefit from a deeper understanding of data analysis decisions and their impact on reported results.
TOPICS
1 Getting Started with Chromatographic Data Analysis
- Defining analytical goals and data quality expectations
- Reading and interpreting chromatograms
2. Fundamentals of Peak Integration
- How integration algorithms work
- Selecting appropriate baselines and integration parameters
- Integrating poorly resolved and complex peaks
- Common integration errors and their impact on results
3. Calibration Fundamentals and Options
- Evaluating calibration curve quality
- Working with real‑world data sets
- Troubleshooting common data analysis problems

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Merlin K. L. Bicking (Course Director) is President and Senior Analytical Scientist at ACCTA, Inc., with over 40 years of experience in analytical chemistry spanning academia, contract research, and independent laboratories. He has developed methods for regulated and non‑regulated industries and has authored numerous publications on liquid chromatography, sample preparation, method optimization, and experimental design. Dr. Bicking is actively engaged in professional training and education, with a focus on developing the next generation of chromatographers.
