Mass Spectrometry Education Package

Mass Spectrometry Education Package

Prepare your students for future careers in analytical science

Prepare your students for future careers in analytical science

Enable your undergraduate students to generate and interpret mass data themselves through a theoretical and practical course using modern analytical mass spectrometry. Waters Mass Spectrometry Education Package is a cost-effective and convenient solution that contains everything you need to get started quickly.

The complete package includes both demonstrator and student handbooks, tutorial videos, a fully operational mass spectrometer, a chemicals kit, and MassLynx Software data acquisition and processing workstation with prepopulated methods. System choice is dictated by sampling, either by direct injection or by Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe, (ASAP) using an ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector or RADIAN ASAP Direct Mass Detector, respectively. 

Upon completion of the course, students will understand:

  • Instrumentation: inlet, ion source, ionization techniques, mass analyzer, ion detection, and data acquisition.
  • Instrument operation: sample introduction, data acquisition, polarity switching (positive and negative modes), full scan versus selected ion monitoring, and continuum versus centroid data.
  • Interpretation of mass spectra: m/z, monoisotopic mass versus average mass, isotope patterns, adducts, fragmentation, multiple charges, and the nitrogen rule.
For an educational and practical course in mass spectrometry fundamentals, choose the Mass Detection Education Package. Mass Detection Education Package

Overview

  • Prepare undergraduates for future careers in analytical science with a hands-on experience exploring the fundamentals of mass spectrometry, like mass-to-charge ratio, mass spectral interpretation, and more
  • Support laboratory demonstrators with integrated course information including detailed handbooks plus multi-media tutorial videos to facilitate instruction and understanding
  • Gain a deeper understanding in the principles of mass spectrometry with cutting-edge instrumentation designed to be intuitive to use, robust and pre-optimized that can be operated without specialized training
  • Flexible configurations to facilitate teaching, from direct sample introduction using an isocratic LC pump and the ACQUITY diverter valve with the ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector. Expand the level of teaching by introducing chromatography with the addition of HPLC or UHPLC.
  • Alternatively, RADIAN ASAP Direct Mass Detector combines both ASAP technology and single quadrupole mass spectrometry enabling the direct analysis of volatile and semi-volatile, solid and liquid samples without the need for sample preparation. ASAP offers features such as the ability to apply a temperature ramp, or thermal gradient, separating components based on their boiling points.
  • Familiarize students with data acquisition and processing with MassLynx Software, conveniently prepopulated with experiment methods and sample lists to help busy academic laboratories get up and running quickly.

Recommended Use: For enabling students to generate and interpret mass data through theoretical and practical sessions.

Integrated course learning materials for students and demonstrators

Content developed by academic partners and Waters experts is provided in step-by-step handbooks for students and demonstrators that includes practical experiments to support students in gaining a solid understanding of the fundamentals of mass spectrometry (MS). The Student Handbook includes the instrumentation and its component parts, instrument operation, acquisition and spectral interpretation, and the generation of characteristic mass data as the basis of modern compound identification.

The complementary Laboratory Demonstrator Handbook offers laboratory demonstrators additional information for each topic to enhance the student experience and learning, model answers for the experiment questions, and includes engaging multimedia video content to enrich the teaching of the series of experiments.

Cutting-edge mass spectral data in a compact instrument

Intuitive and robust, the ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector is the perfect tool to introduce undergraduates to the principles of mass spectrometry and mass spectral interpretation. Pre-optimized and intuitive to use, it can be operated without specialized training. The typical adjustments required by traditional MS systems are avoided.

Start up at the beginning of class is fast and simple. With the press of a single button, the ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector is ready to run within minutes. Once students have finished running their experiments, they simply power off, reducing typical running costs when compared to traditional MS systems. At just 35 cm x 75cm including an integrated pump, the ACQUITY QDa has the same footprint as an ACQUITY LC, so it fits easily into most lab spaces.

Get everything your students need to succeed

The ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector is supplied with a MassLynx Software workstation for intuitive data acquisition and intelligent processing. To streamline the laboratory experiments, methods and sample lists are pre-populated to maximize students’ time spent on acquiring, processing, and analyzing their experimental data.

Direct mass detection

If preferred, an Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe (ASAP) can educate students on rapid direct analysis of volatile and semi-volatile solid and liquid samples without the need for sample preparation. ASAP applies a temperature ramp or thermal gradient to separate components based on their different boiling points. Waters RADIAN ASAP Direct Mass Detector provides answers in seconds, allowing students to directly measure their compounds during, as well as after the synthesis, resulting in a well-suited for busy academic laboratories needing a robust and reliable solution.

Straightforward sample introduction

Using an isocratic LC pump and the ACQUITY Diverter Valve, students have the ideal learning experience on how to introduce samples to the ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector. You can avoid the typical cost, maintenance, and training normally required for a chromatography inlet to introduce mass spectral data. A chemical standards kit is included and contains all chemicals required to run the experiments described in the demonstrator handbook. To expand the level of teaching to include chromatography, an HPLC or UHPLC can easily be switched in.

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Related

ACQUITY QDa II Mass Detector
ACQUITY QDa II Detector is a mass detector built around the needs of analytical scientists for chromatographic analysis. Robust, reliable, and requiring no sample adjustments, it integrates with your current LC, ACQUITY UPLC, UPC2, and purification systems.

RADIAN ASAP Direct Mass Detector
For rapid, easy, low-cost sample analysis of liquids and solids in single quadrupole mass spectrometry applications, equip your lab with the RADIAN ASAP Direct Mass Detector.

MassLynx MS Software
Learn about by visiting Waters.com today! Get the information and equipment you need to keep your lab going.

Chromatography
Scientists across industries rely on Waters chromatography systems, detectors, accessories, and consumables to help answer their most important questions.
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Mass Spectrometry Education Package

The Waters Mass Spectrometry Education Package is a comprehensive, cost-effective solution designed to prepare undergraduate students for careers in analytical science by equipping them with practical and theoretical experience in modern mass spectrometry (MS). Built with the needs of academic institutions in mind, this package includes everything needed to integrate MS training into a university-level curriculum—helping students build confidence in instrument operation, data acquisition, and spectral interpretation.

At the heart of the education package is a compact, fully operational mass spectrometer—either the ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector or the RADIAN ASAP Direct Mass Detector, depending on the sampling approach. These instruments are robust, intuitive to use, and require no specialized MS training to operate, making them ideal for classroom environments. The QDa offers straightforward sample introduction via direct injection, while the RADIAN ASAP enables rapid analysis of volatile and semi-volatile samples without the need for preparation, using thermal gradients to separate compounds by boiling point.

The system is complemented by a MassLynx Software workstation that provides preconfigured methods and sample lists for streamlined operation. With this software, students can perform real-time data acquisition, process their results, and explore mass spectral interpretation using a familiar, user-friendly interface. This ensures maximum time is spent learning analytical concepts rather than navigating software setup, giving students a true hands-on experience.

To further enhance learning, the package includes integrated educational materials developed by academic experts and Waters scientists. A Student Handbook guides learners through the fundamentals of MS, including topics such as ionization techniques, mass analyzers, detector principles, sample polarity switching, and interpretation of m/z, isotope patterns, adducts, fragmentation, and charge states. A Demonstrator Handbook is also provided, offering instructors structured guidance, model answers, and teaching support to ensure that student labs are both effective and engaging. Multimedia tutorial videos are included to support visual learners and enrich the classroom experience.

The package's flexibility allows institutions to tailor the level of instruction to their program goals. Entry-level courses may focus on direct injection and basic spectral interpretation, while advanced labs can introduce chromatography using an HPLC or UHPLC system alongside the ACQUITY QDa. This modular setup allows instructors to scale the complexity of the lab experience as students progress in their studies.

Waters' Mass Spectrometry Education Package empowers students to operate real-world instrumentation and understand the core principles that underpin mass spectrometry. With a focus on ease of use, academic alignment, and practical application, the package provides universities with a powerful tool to prepare the next generation of scientists for work in pharmaceutical, environmental, food, and clinical laboratories. It delivers immediate educational value while helping institutions modernize their teaching laboratories with industry-relevant technologies.

FAQs

What is included in the Waters Mass Spectrometry Education Package?
The Waters Mass Spectrometry Education Package is a complete, ready-to-deploy solution designed for teaching the fundamentals of mass spectrometry. It includes a fully operational mass spectrometer—either the ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector or the RADIAN ASAP Direct Mass Detector—based on your preferred sampling approach. The package also comes with a data acquisition and processing workstation loaded with MassLynx Software, preconfigured with methods and sample lists to simplify setup and use. To support hands-on learning, it includes a chemicals kit for practical experiments. In addition, the package provides comprehensive educational resources: a Student Handbook that outlines instrumentation principles and spectral interpretation and a Laboratory Demonstrator Handbook with model answers, teaching tips, and multimedia tutorial videos.

Is the package suitable for undergraduate-level teaching only?
While the Mass Spectrometry Education Package is optimized for undergraduate instruction, it is not limited to that level. The system and materials are well-suited for a broad range of academic programs, including introductory analytical chemistry, upper-level coursework, and even certain graduate-level lab training. The modular nature of the package allows instructors to tailor its use based on the depth of instruction required—focusing on foundational principles for early-stage students or incorporating chromatography and advanced spectral interpretation for more experienced learners. The package is also valuable for technical colleges, polytechnic programs, and continuing education courses looking to provide hands-on MS experience without the complexity or cost of research-grade systems.

Is training or technical support provided for instructors? Are course materials included for both students and demonstrators?
Yes, Waters provides robust support for both instructors and students using the Education Package. Comprehensive course materials are included: the Student Handbook offers step-by-step instruction on mass spectrometry principles, system operation, and data interpretation, while the Laboratory Demonstrator Handbook provides additional technical context, model answers for experiment questions, and instructional guidance. These resources are designed to help educators deliver effective, structured lessons—even if they have limited prior experience with MS. Additionally, multimedia tutorial videos are provided to enhance both teaching and learning. Waters also offers access to technical support teams to assist with initial setup, software use, and troubleshooting, ensuring a smooth implementation in the academic lab environment.