Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Across the Curriculum

这个化学课程最近建立的一个目标是将开放性的基于发现的项目实验室纳入从大一到大四的整个化学课程。在这些实验中，学生可以选择一个领域进行调查，提出一个问题，并进行实验来解决这个问题。在这些为期数周的实验中，学生不仅学习了很多实验技术，而且还需要学习理解他们选择调查的主题所需的概念。该项目的主要目标是通过提供一种可以在几门课程中使用的工具，在大一第一学期之后的每门课程中都有项目实验室。该部门正在使用原子吸收（AA）分光光度计，同时使用传统燃烧器和加热石墨炉。仪器已经提供给学生进行有机和物理化学项目为基础的实验室。AA是打开分析化学导论、仪器分析和环境化学的许多研究领域所需要的额外仪器。AA对新生来说是一个有用的工具，因为它易于操作和理解；而傅里叶变换核磁共振、傅里叶变换红外、气相色谱/质谱等仪器通常是为已经或正在学习有机化学的学生保留的。有许多开放式实验可以使用AA进行。AA也可以用于本科研究和特殊群体，如数学/科学向上发展的学生。AA的增加增强了所提供的课程，并使跨课程进行基于项目的实验成为可能。

A recently established goal of this chemistry program is to incorporate open-ended discovery-based project laboratories throughout the chemistry curriculum from the freshman- to senior-year. In these labs, students can choose an area to investigate, pose a problem, and carry out experiments to address the problem. Students not only learn a lot of experimental techniques during these multiweek labs, but they are also required to learn concepts needed to understand the topic they choose to investigate. The primary objective of this project is to reach this goal of having project labs in every course beyond the first semester of the freshman year by providing an instrument that could be used in several such courses. The department is making use of an Atomic Absorption (AA) Spectrophotometer with both a conventional burner and a Heated Graphite Furnace. Instrumentation is already available for students to undertake project-based labs in Organic and Physical Chemistry. An AA is the one additional instrument needed to open up many areas of investigation for Introduction to Analytical Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, and Environmental Chemistry. The AA is a useful tool for freshmen because it is easy to operate and to understand; whereas instruments such as the Fourier-transform-nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier-transform infrared, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometers are usually reserved for students who have had or are taking Organic Chemistry. There are many open-ended experiments that can be carried out with the use of an AA. The AA can also be used in undergraduate research and with special groups such as the Math/Science Upward Bound students. The addition of an AA enhances the courses offered and makes it possible to do project-based labs across the curricula.