GPC Masterclass - October 2026
Hosted by MacroGroup UK in partnership with the Warwick Analytical Science Centre (WASC)
This one-day master class is designed to give early-stage PhD students in polymer science a solid grounding in the fundamentals of GPC/SEC techniques, an ideal starting point for those embarking on research in this area.
In-person places are limited to 30 participants, with priority given to PhD researchers. The event will also be available online via Zoom, with no cap on virtual attendance - all are welcome to join remotely.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided throughout the day.
Registration is free — please use the link in the top right to sign up. For specific enquiries, contact Dr Chris Waldron at christopher.waldron@warwick.ac.uk.
Schedule:
10:00 – 10:15 | Welcome & Overview of the Day
10:15 – 11:00 | Fundamental Theory
- Polymer Architectures
- Mechanism of Separation
- Polymer-Specific Considerations
11:00 – 11:15 | Break
11:15 – 12:00 | The SEC Instrument: Columns, Mobile Phases & Method Development
- Instrument Overview
- Column Selection
- Mobile Phase Selection
- Method Development
12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch Break
1:00 – 1:45 | Detectors
- Conventional Detection (RI, UV)
- Advanced Detection (Viscometry, MALS)
- When to Use
1:45 – 2:30 | Calibration & Molecular Weight Calculations
- Relative Calibration
- Absolute Molecular Weight
- Data Outputs (Mn, Mw, Ɖ)
2:30 – 2:45 | Break
2:45 – 3:30 | Data Interpretation & Polymer Architecture
- Interpreting Distribution Shapes
- Branching Analysis
- How to Present your Data
3:30 – 3:50 | Sample Preparation and Troubleshooting
3:50 – 4:00 | Wrap-Up & Q&A
Register Here
October 2026
Free to attend in person or online
Senate House
University of Warwick
Coventry
CV4 7SH