Improvement of Science Education with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

该项目将为亨廷顿学院的理科生和非理科生带来气相色谱-质谱（GCMS）的现代技术。大一化学课程将增加基础理论和示范。将在有机实验室开始动手使用所要求的仪器，使分析分子结构的经验更能代表现代方法。在分析/环境化学课程中，学生将体验更多的GC-MS方法，如香精和香料的顶空采样和选定的离子监测。该仪器将促进环境和法医应用（与国家法医科学实验室合作），通过与现实生活中的情况联系，使学生的实验室体验更加令人兴奋和有趣。本科生研究和顶点项目的质量和范围也将得到提高。学生将使用GC-MS结合FT-NMR和FTIR分析，建立进一步的联系，学习科学是如何完成的，使他们更好地准备研究生院和工业就业的化学。该项目将通过迷你课程来影响外部受众，并将成为其他类似亨廷顿大学的机构的榜样。项目的成功与否将由学生的课程评价、参与本科生研究项目的专业数量、正式报告、出版物和调查来决定。传播将通过演讲、国际化学研究和化学教育期刊的出版物、万维网以及在科学会议上与教育工作者的互动进行。

This project will bring modern technology in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) to science and non-science majors at Huntingdon College. Basic theory and demonstrations will be added to freshman-level chemistry courses. Hands-on use of the requested instrument will begin in the Organic laboratory, making experiences in analyzing molecular structure more representative of modern methods. Students will experience additional GC-MS methods, such as headspace sampling of flavors and fragrances and selected ion monitoring, in the Analytical/Environmental Chemistry course. The instrument will promote environmental and forensic applications (in collaboration with the state forensic science laboratory), making student laboratory experiences more exciting and interesting by connection to real-life situations. The quality and scope of undergraduate research and capstone projects will also improve. Students will use GC-MS in conjunction with FT-NMR and FTIR analysis, establishing further connections in learning how science is done and making them better prepared for graduate school and industrial employment in chemistry. The project will influence an outside audience with mini-course offerings and will serve as a model for other institutions similar to Huntingdon. The success of the project will be determined by student course evaluations, the number of majors taking undergraduate research projects, formal presentations, publications, and surveys. Dissemination will occur through presentations, publications in international chemistry research and chemistry education journals, the World-Wide Web, and interactions with educators at scientific meetings.