Implementation of Instrumental Analysis in the UndergraduateCurriculum Using UV/Vis Spectroscopy

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Instrumental analysis is infused into the undergraduate chemistry and environmental sciences curricula through the acquisition of a computerized scanning UV/Vis spectrophotometer and water purification system. This instrumentation is used vigorously for the determination of water quality, pH, chemical functional group absorption, protein concentration, enzyme kinetics, multi component analysis of mixtures, RNA concentration, structural isomerization, and molecular transition. Each experiment, adapted primarily from the Journal of Chemical Education and other respected sources to the appropriate complexity of each course, is designed to shift the emphasis from mere data collection to immediate analysis and interpretation of graphical results. The UV/Vis spectrophotometer and water purification system are utilized in General Chemistry, Fundamentals of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Quantitative Analysis, Physical Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences. Expected outcomes include the enhanced student involvement in the use of scientific instrumentation to collect experimental data, the introduction of spectrographic analysis of processes in real time and at the UV range, increased student ability to interpret data and trends from graphic analyses, and improved student understanding of fundamental chemistry concepts.