Course Overview

The application of quality assurance and quality control in the metabolomics field is vital to ensure the collection of high quality data. In this course you will explore the importance of quality assurance and quality control in both untargeted and targeted metabolomics studies. We will explain the difference between quality control and quality assurance and how to apply in your studies and laboratories. You will evaluate the types of quality control samples that can be applied in metabolomics, what is the most appropriate quality control sample to use in your research, and how to apply the data in your quality assurance procedure to produce robust and reproducible data.

The materials in this course are delivered via the FutureLearn platform over a three week period, with an estimated learning time of four hours per week. Each week you will work through a number of steps to complete the learning material. A step may include a short video, an article, an exercise with step-by-step instructions, a discussion to interact with your peer and a selection of quizzes, tests and polls to self-assess your own learning. All of the course material is uploaded to the FutureLearn platform so that you can complete the steps at a convenient time for you.

We (the educators) support your learning via social discussions where you will be able post questions and comments to the team of educators and the other learners on the course throughout the three weeks.

In the final week of the course we will record a summary video where we will respond to questions posted by you during the course.

If you do not have time to complete the course during the 3-week period you will retain access to the course material to revisit, as you are able.

Topics Covered

• What are quality assurance and quality control and how do they differ
• What is the importance of quality assurance in metabolomics
• The types of quality assurance and quality control in untargeted and targeted metabolomics
• The importance of quality control samples
• The types of quality control samples applied in untargeted and targeted metabolomics
• Preparation of quality control samples in untargeted and targeted metabolomics
• Analytical studies including untargeted and targeted metabolomics
• Processing data in untargeted and targeted metabolomics
• Recommended quality assurance procedures in untargeted and targeted metabolomics
• Reporting quality assurance procedures in untargeted and targeted metabolomics