Implementing Guided-inquiry Laboratories Utilizing Gas-chromatography Mass-spectrometry in the Chemistry/Biochemistry Majors Sequence

化学（12）随着购买配备电子电离（EI）和化学电离（CI）功能的瓦里安土星气相色谱质谱仪（GC/MS），我们正在调整和实施基于GC/MS的实验室实验到四门课程，有机化学，物理化学，分析的仪器方法，和环境化学在费城大学。此外，我们正在为四门课程制定学科和跨学科指导调查项目。GC/MS系统被用作这些指导性调查项目开发的催化剂。在这些实验室项目中，学生将在实际研究环境中解决化学问题。解决这些问题需要学生作为一个团队工作，制定一个响应，并使用GC/MS和其他仪器来解决问题。随着学生对仪器的使用经验的增加，项目的复杂性也会增加。例如，在有机化学中，通过GC/MS分析双组分混合物以深入了解反应机理。在物理化学中探索了具有高蒸气压和独特气味的天然和人造产品中的化合物的识别。而且，在环境化学方面，一个GC/MS所需的项目将很快在费城当地地区进行沉积物污染检查。我们项目的目标是使我们的学生获得高度重视的技术技能，发展批判性思维，提高他们的沟通和团队合作能力。此外，随着知识和专业知识获得与现代研究级仪器的工作，我们的学生将进入化学相关的工业职位和/或竞争激烈的研究生课程装备精良。

Chemistry (12)With the purchase of a Varian Saturn gas-chromatograph mass-spectrometer (GC/MS) equipped with electron ionization (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) capabilities, we are adapting and implementing GC/MS-based laboratory experiments into four courses, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Instrumental Methods of Analysis, and Environmental Chemistry at Philadelphia University. In addition, we are developing disciplinary and interdisciplinary guided-inquiry projects for the four courses. The GC/MS system is used as the catalyst in the development of these guided-inquiry projects. In these laboratory projects, students are given chemistry problems to solve as in an actual research setting. Solution to these problems requires the students to work as a team to formulate a response and use GC/MS and other instrumentation to solve the problems. The projects increase in complexity as students gain experience with the instrumentation. For example, in organic chemistry a two-component mixture is analyzed by GC/MS to gain insight into reaction mechanisms. Identification of the compounds in natural and manmade products with high vapor pressures and unique smells is explored in physical chemistry. And, in environmental chemistry, a GC/MS required project examining sediment contamination in the local Philadelphia area will soon be undertaken. The overcharging goal of our project is to enable our students acquire highly valued technical skills, develop critical thinking, and improve their communication and teamwork skills. Furthermore, with the knowledge and expertise gained working with modern research-grade instrumentation, our students would be well equipped for entering into chemistry-related industrial positions and/or highly competitive graduate programs.