Integration of Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Problem-Based Laboratories into a Newly Revised Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum

化学（12）作为我们不断努力将新技术融入课程的一部分，化学系正在将气相色谱/质谱（GC/MS）基于问题的实验室整合到整个本科课程中。我们的目标是通过学习化学分离和分子结构分析来活跃我们的学生在普通化学方面的教学，并在整个课程中协调学习。圣弗朗西斯学院的毕业生完成了这个基于问题的学习实验室的课程，预计将为面对工业和研究生院环境中的困难挑战做好更好的准备。培训从大一开始，通过虚拟质谱实验室（VMSL; http://chemed.chem.pitt.edu/VMSL; CCLI Grant 9950867）开始，并初步使用GC/MS仪器。Joe Grabowski博士（匹兹堡大学）正在协助教师和学生使用互动互联网项目，向学生介绍解决问题的方法。在高水平的课程中，实验变得更复杂，教师提供的信息更少。在仪器分析、法医学、环境和物理化学中，采用基于问题的方法，学生负责利用现有文献开发特定课程的应用实验项目。由于GC/MS是法医化学实验室的主要仪器，因此GC/MS的主要应用是在我们新增加的法医化学浓度的研究项目中。Michael Baird博士是该项目的顾问，他最近在惠灵耶稣会大学实验室（CCLI Grant 0088357）实施了GC/MS。赠款的几个影响包括：在新修订的课程中纳入创新材料和技术；通过使用技术激发年轻科学家（特别是代表性不足的群体）的潜力；学生在解决问题的技巧方面受过良好训练，并为在高级学位/行业取得成功做好准备；并且通过招聘新技术的潜力增加了化学专业的人数。圣弗朗西斯化学学院目前有31个专业，在过去五年中增长了200%，其中71%是女性。

Chemistry (12) As part of our continuing effort to integrate new technology into our curriculum, the chemistry department is integrating gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) problem-based laboratories throughout the undergraduate curriculum. The goal is to enliven instruction for our students in general chemistry by studying chemical separations and molecular structure analysis followed by a coordinated progression of learning throughout our curriculum. Graduates of Saint Francis completing this progression of problem-based learning laboratories are expected to be better prepared to face the difficult challenges in industrial as well as graduate school settings. The training begins in the freshman year with the Virtual Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (VMSL; http://chemed.chem.pitt.edu/VMSL; CCLI Grant 9950867) and initial access to the GC/MS instrument. Dr. Joe Grabowski (University of Pittsburgh) is assisting faculty and students using the interactive internet program, which introduces problem-solving to the students. In the upper level courses, the experiments become more sophisticated with less information provided by the instructor. A problem-based approach is being implemented in instrumental analysis, forensics, environmental, and physical chemistry, where the students are responsible for developing course specific application laboratory projects by using the current literature. A major application of the GC/MS is in research projects for our newly added concentration of forensic chemistry since GC/MS is a major piece of instrumentation in forensic chemistry laboratories. Dr. Michael Baird who has recently implemented GC/MS into Wheeling Jesuit University laboratories (CCLI Grant 0088357) is serving as a consultant for the project. Several impacts of the grant include: incorporation of innovative materials and technology across the newly revised curriculum; excitement potential of younger scientists (especially underrepresented groups) through use of technology; students well-trained in problem-solving techniques and prepared for success in advanced degrees/industry; and an increased number of chemistry majors through recruitment potential of new technology. Saint Francis chemistry currently has 31 majors, a 200% increase over the last five years, of which 71 % are women.