After successful completion of the course, students are able to explain the most important ionization techniques (EI, CI, ESI, MALDI, APCI, APPI) and mass analyzers (quadrupole, triple quadrupole, ion trap, time-of-flight analyzer, ion cyclotron, ion mobility) and name typical areas of application. This includes knowledge of MS / MS methods, the combination of ionization methods with suitable mass analyzers, knowledge about hybrid instruments and potential hyphenation with different separation methods (LC, GC). The students will also be able to interpret mass spectra, with a focus on fragmentation for molecules up to about 2000 Da.