Using Atomic Absorbtion Spectroscopy to Introduce Quality Assurance/Quality Control in General, Analytical and Environmental Chemistry

化学(12)西华盛顿大学(WWU)的普通化学学生在第三季度的普通化学序列中被介绍了重要的定量分析实验室技术。这种体验并不广泛，但它确实让学生们体验和理解了量化技术。然而，对于这些学生来说，完全缺少一种分析经验。本实验室使用的仪器仅允许进行单一分析测量。此外，没有共享分析数据的联网能力。现代工业、环境和制药实验室中的分析员依赖于分析仪器，这些仪器配置为提供高样品吞吐量，并联网以允许广泛获取所获得的信息。高的样品吞吐量是必要的，因为质量控制样品的数量必须与每个“真实”样品一起分析。为了向我们的学生介绍质量保证/质量控制(QA/QC)，我们使用了两台配备自动取样器和联网的原子吸收光谱仪，以便轻松共享和导出数据。火焰原子吸收光谱分析(AAS)是一种在普通化学中很有吸引力的技术，因为它的原理简单，这一现代技术的重要性，以及它能够测量现实世界和环境中重要的样品中的金属浓度。自动采样允许将整个班级的样本点缀在质量控制标准中，并在夜间进行分析。联网使学生能够访问所有数据并将其传输到电子表格中，准备控制图以判断可靠性，并就样本得出专业结论。该项目正在改编《化学教育杂志》中的一系列实验，以便它们反映出对质量保证/质量控制的重视。在普通化学中引入QA/QC对其他几门课程和计划的学生和教职员工都是有益的。一些学生继续选修分析化学和仪器分析。其他人是WWU赫胥黎环境研究学院环境化学专业的学生。这些课程和项目的学生能够通过在普通化学实验室中的介绍来提高他们对QA/QC的理解和使用。此外，由于正在进行更先进的仪器使用和更复杂的实验，在这些更高级别的课程中实现了实验室经验的显著改善。为了在这些高级课程中使用，其中一个原子吸收装置配备了带有自动取样器的石墨炉装置。每年受影响的学生总数超过900人。此外，该项目还加强了世界大学文理学院化学系与世界大学赫胥黎环境研究学院环境化学项目之间的联系。

Chemistry (12) General chemistry students at Western Washington University (WWU) were introduced to important quantitative analytical laboratory techniques in the third quarter of the three-quarter general chemistry sequence. This experience was not extensive but it did allow the students to experience and understand quantitative techniques. However, one analytical experience was completely missing for these students. Instruments used in this laboratory allowed only for single analytical measurements. Further, there was no networking capability for the sharing of analytical data. Analysts in modern industrial, environmental, and pharmaceutical laboratories rely on analytical instruments that are configured to provide high sample throughput and are networked to allow wide access to the obtained information. High sample throughput is necessary because of the number of quality control samples which must be analyzed with every "real" sample. To introduce our students to Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC), we are using two atomic absorption spectrometers equipped with auto-samplers and networked to allow easy sharing and export of data. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) is an attractive technique to introduce in general chemistry given the simplicity of the principle, the importance of this modern technique, and its ability to measure metal concentrations in real world and environmentally important samples. Auto-sampling allows samples from an entire class to be interspersed with quality control standards and analyzed overnight. Networking allows students to access and transport all the data into a spreadsheet, prepare control charts to judge reliability, and draw professional conclusions regarding samples. The project is adapting a series of experiments from the Journal of Chemical Education so that they reflect this emphasis on QA/QC. The introduction of QA/QC in general chemistry is beneficial to students and faculty in several additional courses and programs. Some students continue in chemistry taking Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis. Others are environmental chemistry majors in Huxley College of Environmental Studies at WWU. The students in these courses and programs are able to advance their understanding and use of QA/QC given their introduction in general chemistry laboratory. In addition, significant improvement in laboratory experience is realized in these higher-level courses because more advanced instrument use and more sophisticated experiments are being carried out. For use in these advanced courses, one of the AAS units is equipped with a Graphite Furnace unit with auto-sampler. The total number of students affected is over 900 per year. In addition, the project is strengthening the ties between the Chemistry Department in the College of Arts and Sciences at WWU and the Environmental Chemistry Program at Huxley College of Environmental Studies at WWU.