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

化学（12）在费城大学，我们购买了一台具有电子电离（EI）和化学电离（CI）功能的瓦里安土星气相色谱仪（GC/MS），我们正在将基于GC/MS的实验室实验应用到有机化学、物理化学、仪器分析方法和环境化学四门课程中。此外，我们正在为这四门课程开发学科和跨学科的指导探究项目。气相色谱/质谱联用系统是引导探究项目发展的催化剂。在这些实验项目中，学生被要求像在实际研究环境中一样解决化学问题。解决这些问题需要学生作为一个团队来制定响应，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。从物理化学的角度探讨了具有高蒸汽压和独特气味的天然和人造产物中化合物的鉴定。此外，在环境化学方面，一项检查费城当地沉积物污染的气相色谱/质谱要求项目即将开展。我们项目的目标是让我们的学生获得高度重视的技术技能，培养批判性思维，提高他们的沟通和团队合作能力。此外，通过使用现代研究级仪器获得的知识和专业知识，我们的学生将为进入化学相关的工业岗位和/或竞争激烈的研究生课程做好充分的准备。

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.