Industrial/Environmental Analysis; Analytical Chemistry Across the Curriculum: A Case Study Approach

具有红外（IR）结构测定能力和原子光谱（AS）痕量元素分析能力的经验是任何化学家培训的重要组成部分。不幸的是，学校仪器设备的陈旧和不可靠给这些领域的教学带来了困难。该项目包括购买一个现代傅里叶变换红外（FTIR）和一个电感耦合等离子体（ICP）源。这些仪器正被整合到几个分析化学课程的实验组成部分，采用现代教学方法。该项目的重点是开发一个工业/环境实验集群，贯穿目前大一、大二和大三的化学课程。这组中的实验以案例研究方法为基础，涉及使用一种或两种新工具，并关注涉及环境质量的问题。这种方法使化学、生物化学和生物学的学生参与到现实世界的问题中，并提供使用现代分析仪器的实践经验，从而更好地为他们做好准备。案例研究的写作方式可以让其他学院和大学很容易地采用这些方法。该项目的教育影响可以通过测量学生的态度来评估。这些测量可以使用心理调查工具进行，可以进行详细的统计分析。

Experience with the structural determination abilities of infrared (IR) and the trace elemental analysis capabilities of atomic spectroscopy (AS) are essential parts of any chemist's training. Unfortunately, the obsolete condition and unreliability of the college's instrumentation has made instruction difficult in these areas. This project involves purchase of a modern Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) source. These instruments are being integrated into the laboratory components of several analytical chemistry courses using modem teaching methodologies. The focus of the project is to develop an industrial/environmental cluster of experiments that run through the current freshman-, sophomore-, and junior-level chemistry courses. Experiments within this cluster are based upon the case study method, involve the use of one or both of the new instruments, and focus on issues involving environmental quality. This approach better prepares chemistry, biochemistry, and biology students by involving them in real-world problems and by providing hands-on experience using modern analytical instrumentation. Case studies can be written in a manner that allows other colleges and universities to adapt these methods readily. The project's educational impact can be evaluated by measuring students' attitudes. These measurements can be made using psychological survey instruments that allow detailed statistical analysis to be performed.