Improving the Chemistry Curriculum at Roanoke College: Purchase of an FTIR Spectrometer

通过这个项目，该机构获得了傅里叶变换红外(FAIR)光谱仪，显著改善了学院的化学教学计划。这些改进包括：(1)将课程中使用红外光谱分析的实验数量增加一倍。红外光谱解译的新水平是对学生进行这项关键技术培训的理想选择。(2)学生首次能够学习和使用信号平均和傅里叶变换光谱学的重要概念。(3)为展会购买了漫反射采样附件，使固体样品的红外光谱研究变得容易和快速。(4)现代科学仪器的兴奋已经传递给了入门水平的学生，包括专业和非专业。这些努力是建立在教育署成功地将先进乐器纳入一年级课程的基础上的，并已扩展到没有使用现代乐器的课程。课程的改进涵盖了化学的所有分支，并使从事独立研究项目的学生受益，从大学预科到化学专业的高年级学生。该机构为该项目提供了相当于NSF资金的捐款。

Through this project, the institution acquired a Fourier Transform Infrared (FAIR) Spectrometer which markedly improved the instructional program in Chemistry at the college. The improvements included: (1) doubling the number of experiments using infrared spectroscopy in the curriculum. The new level of exposure to infrared spectral interpretation has been ideal for the training of students in this key technique. (2) For the first time, students have been able to learn and use the important concepts of signal averaging and Fourier transform spectroscopy. (3) The purchase of diffuse reflectance sampling accessory for the FAIR allowed easy and rapid study of solid samples with infrared spectroscopy. (4) The excitement of modern scientific instrumentation has been transmitted to introductory level students, both majors and non-majors. These efforts have built on the department's successful incorporation of advanced instruments in first year courses, and have extended to courses which had no usage of modern instrumentation. The curricular improvements include all branches of chemistry, and have benefitted students ranging from precollege level to senior chemistry majors doing independent research projects. The institution has contributed to this project in an amount equal to the NSF funds.