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

化学(12)通过购买配备电子电离(EI)和化学电离(CI)能力的瓦里安土星气相色谱质谱仪(GC/MS)，我们正在费城大学将基于GC/MS的实验室实验调整和实施为四门课程：有机化学、物理化学、分析仪器方法和环境化学。此外，我们正在为这四个课程开发学科和跨学科的指导性探究项目。GC/MS系统在这些引导性询问项目的开发中被用作催化剂。在这些实验项目中，学生被安排在实际的研究环境中解决化学问题。要解决这些问题，学生需要团队合作，制定回应，并使用GC/MS等仪器来解决问题。随着学生获得使用仪器的经验，这些项目的复杂性也会增加。例如，在有机化学中，为了深入了解反应机理，需要用GC/MS分析双组分混合物。对具有高蒸汽压和独特气味的天然和人造产品中的化合物进行了物理化学鉴定。在环境化学方面，将很快开展一项GC/MS所需的项目，以检查当地费城地区的沉积物污染。我们项目的收费过高的目标是让我们的学生获得高度重视的技术技能，发展批判性思维，并提高他们的沟通和团队合作能力。此外，凭借与现代研究级仪器合作所获得的知识和专业知识，我们的学生将为进入与化学相关的工业职位和/或竞争激烈的研究生课程做好准备。

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.