Modernization of Undergraduate Curriculum through Laser - Based Spectroscopies

化学系正在积极推动其教学实验室的现代化，提供现代仪器的实践经验。作为更新整个本科课程的努力的一部分，该系正在将物理化学和仪器分析实验室的实验室组成部分合并为一个为期一年的高级实验室。新设备在很大程度上影响了学生在本课程中的体验。在各种实验中，使用了最先进的仪器--Nd：YAG泵浦的染料激光器和飞行时间(TOF)质谱仪。选择这些实验是为了说明课堂上讨论的主题，并通过让学生接触当前的研究主题和方法来保持他们的兴趣和热情。该项目的新颖之处在于，将基于激光的综合方法用于高级实验实验室，将生物分子的飞行时间质谱学作为学生积累经验的顶峰。具体的激光实验包括Fe(CO)S的光解离，用飞行时间质谱仪测量的Fe原子的非线性原子光谱，以及CHCl3的拉曼光谱。随后，学生们将基于激光的光谱技术应用于无机化学和生物化学。此外，还鼓励学生将这些技术应用于传统化学系中选择的原创研究项目，包括物理化学、分析化学、无机化学和生物化学。

The Department of Chemistry is actively pursuing the modernization of its teaching laboratories by providing hands-on experience with modern instrumentation. As a part of the effort to update the entire undergraduate curriculum, the department is combining the laboratory components of physical chemistry and instrumental analysis laboratories into a year-long Advanced Laboratory. New equipment is significantly affecting the students' experience in this course. State-of-the-art instruments are being used an Nd:YAG pumped-dye laser and a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer in a variety of experiments. These experiments are being selected to illustrate topics discussed in lectures and to maintain students' interest and enthusiasm by exposing them to current research topics and methodologies. The novel aspect of this project is the use of an integrated laser-based approach to upper-division experimental laboratories, with time-of-flight mass spectrometry of biomolecules serving as the capstone of the students' accumulated experiences. Specific laser-based experiments include photodissociation of Fe(CO)s, nonlinear atomic spectroscopy of Fe atoms using a TOF mass spectrometer, and Raman spectroscopy of CHCl3. The students are subsequently applying laser-based spectroscopy techniques in inorganic chemistry and biochemistry. In addition, students are being encouraged to apply these techniques in original research projects chosen across the traditional divisions of chemistry including, physical, analytical, inorganic, and biological chemistry.