Enhancing the Roanoke College Curriculum with an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer

环境分析在罗阿诺克学院变得越来越重要，这既是由于环境科学项目的引入，也是由于在整个课程中广泛使用了多周的应用项目。这一新的重点产生了对金属痕量分析的需求，这将使用火焰/炉原子吸收光谱仪来满足。新的仪器功能包括改进的炉法检测限，背景校正能力，以及用于火焰分析的更高温度燃烧器。新的实验和研究项目将在全面的四年仪器训练课程的背景下发展。透过多层次的仪器体验，教导学生基本操作、先进技术及基本原理。有趣的实验将包括空气、水和土壤分析、法医调查和统计设计优化。新的环境科学项目也创造了各种各样的本科生研究机会，其中痕量金属分析的可用性至关重要。外联活动将是这个项目的一个组成部分。为期数年的一系列仪器研讨会将向大批中学教师和学生介绍先进的现代仪器。工作坊将强调基本原理、深入的动手体验和实际应用。此外，新的光谱仪将广泛用于高中生的研究。

Environmental analyses have become increasingly important at Roanoke College, due both to the introduction of an Environmental Science program and to extensive use of multi-week applications based projects throughout the curriculum. This new emphasis has created a need for trace analysis of metals, which will be met using a combination flame/furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. The new instrumental features include the improved detection limits of the furnace method, background correction capabilities, and a higher temperature burner for flame analyses. New experiments and research projects will be developed in the context of a comprehensive four year instrumentation training curriculum. A multi-level sequence of instrument experiences will be used to educate students on basic operations, advanced techniques, and fundamental principles. Interesting experiments will include air, water, and soil analyses, forensic investigations, and a statistically designed optimization. The new Environmental Science program is also creating a variety of undergraduate student research opportunities for which the availability of trace metal analysis is critical. Outreach activities will be an integral part of this project. A multi-year series of instrumentation workshops will introduce advanced modern instrumentation to a large group of secondary level teachers and students. Workshops will emphasize basic principles, in-depth hands-on instrument experience, and real life applications. Additionally, the new spectrometer will be extensively used for high school student research.