Incorporating Thermal Analysis and Polymeric Principles into the Undergraduate Curriculum

通过该项目，该机构获得了热分析设备，包括差示扫描量热仪(DSC)模块、热重分析(TGA)模块、操作任一设备的模块控制器、允许编程冷却的机械冷却附件以及各种附件。这项收购极大地加强了化学课程的本科生研究部分，为三名对热分析表现出兴趣和技能的教师提供了让学生参与此类研究项目的手段。作为发展计划的一部分，学生早在第一年的夏天就被允许参与本科生的研究。利用聚合物材料的DSC和TGA实验已被纳入分析和物理实验室。这允许在课程中同时进行热分析和聚合物原理方面的培训。以食品、饮料或药品为基础的热分析实验被纳入健康科学专业的分析实验室，从而使这一群体接触到广泛使用的热分析方法。该项目的较长期目标包括可能提供一个聚合物化学实验室，以加强现有的聚合物讲座课程，并提高系中其他教员对聚合物科学的认识/兴趣。该机构为该项目提供的资金相当于国家科学基金会的资金。

Through this project, the institution acquired thermal analysis equipment including a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) module, a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) module, a module controller which operates either device, a mechanical cooling accessory to allow programmed cooling, and various accessories. The acquisition greatly strengthened the undergraduate research component of the chemistry curriculum by providing the means for three faculty, with demonstrated interest and skill in thermal analysis, to involve students in such research projects. As part of the development plan, students were allowed to participate in undergraduate research as early as the summer of their first year. DSC and TGA experiments utilizing polymeric materials have been incorporated into both analytical and physical laboratories. This allows training in both thermal analysis and polymeric principles in the curriculum. A thermal analysis experiment based on food, beverage, or pharmaceutical products is included in an analytical laboratory for health science majors, thus exposing this group to widely used thermal analytical methods. Longer term goals of the project include potential offering of a polymer chemistry laboratory to augment the existing lecture course in polymers and heightened awareness/interest in polymer science from the rest of the departmental faculty. The institution contributed to this project in an amount equal to the NSF funds.