Acquisition of an Ion Chromatograph and Field Equipment for Undergraduate Environmental Chemistry

越来越多的人认为，学生在科学方面的学习可以通过类似研究的实验室体验来增强。然而，实际上能够参与师生研究的学生人数通常受到教师时间和资源的限制。另一种选择是在课程实验室期间提供类似研究的体验，允许学生进行结果未知的实验。 环境分析课程，这往往是有趣的学生，是学生提供机会参加这些实验。该项目将离子色谱法和现场分析的使用纳入两门课程-分析化学和环境分析。分析化学课程介绍了两个涉及多种分析技术（包括离子色谱法）的新实验。这些实验集中在饮用水处理过程中。环境分析是一门新课程，重点是生态系统中化学和生物因素的相互作用，提供了强大的现场和实验室组成部分。该课程由一位生态学家和一位分析化学家共同授课。它涉及广泛使用离子色谱仪来研究淡水和土壤过程。多个现场pH和溶解氧测量仪使学生能够同时在小组中工作，测量现场的化学参数。使用这些工具可以提高学生的兴趣。

There is a growing consensus that student learning in the sciences is enhanced by a research-like laboratory experience. However, the number of students who can actually participate in faculty-student research is generally limited by both faculty time and resources. An alternative to this is to provide research-like experiences during course laboratories by allowing students to carry out experiments in which the outcome is unknown. Courses in environmental analysis, which often are interesting to students, are offering students an opportunity to participate in these experiments. This project incorporates the use of ion chromatography and field analyses into two courses_Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Analysis. The Analytical Chemistry course is introducing two new experiments involving multiple analytical techniques (including ion chromatography). These experiments focus on the drinking water treatment process. Environmental Analysis, a new course focusing on the interplay of chemical and biological factors in ecosystems, provides a strong field and laboratory component. The course is being team-taught by an ecologist and an analytical chemist. It involves extensive use of an ion chromatograph to study both freshwater and soil processes. Multiple field pH and dissolved oxygen meters enable the class to work in small groups simultaneously, measuring chemical parameters in the field. Use of these instruments results in increased student interest.