Using Atomic Absorbtion Spectroscopy to Introduce Quality Assurance/Quality Control in General, Analytical and Environmental Chemistry

化学（12）西华盛顿大学（WWU）的普通化学学生在三分之一普通化学序列的第三分之一被介绍给重要的定量分析实验室技术。这种经验并不广泛，但它确实让学生体验和理解定量技术。然而，这些学生完全缺少一种分析经验。本实验室使用的仪器只能进行单次分析测量。此外，也没有分享分析数据的联网能力。现代工业、环境和制药实验室中的分析师依赖于分析仪器，这些分析仪器被配置为提供高样品通量，并被联网以允许广泛访问所获得的信息。高的样品通量是必要的，因为质量控制样品的数量必须与每个“真实的”样品一起分析。为了向我们的学生介绍质量保证/质量控制（QA/QC），我们使用了两台配备自动进样器的原子吸收光谱仪，并联网，以便轻松共享和导出数据。火焰原子吸收光谱法（AAS）是一种有吸引力的技术，可以引入一般化学中，因为其原理简单，这种现代技术的重要性，以及其测量真实的世界和环境重要样品中金属浓度的能力。自动采样允许整个班级的样本与质量控制标准品穿插在一起，并在夜间进行分析。网络允许学生访问和传输所有数据到电子表格，准备控制图来判断可靠性，并得出有关样本的专业结论。该项目正在改编《化学教育杂志》上的一系列实验，以反映对QA/QC的重视。在普通化学中引入QA/QC对学生和教师在几个额外的课程和计划中是有益的。一些学生继续学习化学，学习分析化学和仪器分析。其他人是WWU赫胥黎环境研究学院的环境化学专业学生。在这些课程和计划的学生能够提高他们的理解和使用QA/QC鉴于他们在一般化学实验室的介绍。此外，在这些高级课程中，由于使用了更先进的仪器和进行了更复杂的实验，实验室经验也得到了显著改善。为了在这些高级课程中使用，其中一个AAS单元配备了带自动进样器的石墨炉单元。每年受影响的学生总数超过900人。此外，该项目正在加强WWU艺术与科学学院化学系与WWU赫胥黎环境研究学院环境化学计划之间的联系。

Chemistry (12) General chemistry students at Western Washington University (WWU) were introduced to important quantitative analytical laboratory techniques in the third quarter of the three-quarter general chemistry sequence. This experience was not extensive but it did allow the students to experience and understand quantitative techniques. However, one analytical experience was completely missing for these students. Instruments used in this laboratory allowed only for single analytical measurements. Further, there was no networking capability for the sharing of analytical data. Analysts in modern industrial, environmental, and pharmaceutical laboratories rely on analytical instruments that are configured to provide high sample throughput and are networked to allow wide access to the obtained information. High sample throughput is necessary because of the number of quality control samples which must be analyzed with every "real" sample. To introduce our students to Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC), we are using two atomic absorption spectrometers equipped with auto-samplers and networked to allow easy sharing and export of data. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) is an attractive technique to introduce in general chemistry given the simplicity of the principle, the importance of this modern technique, and its ability to measure metal concentrations in real world and environmentally important samples. Auto-sampling allows samples from an entire class to be interspersed with quality control standards and analyzed overnight. Networking allows students to access and transport all the data into a spreadsheet, prepare control charts to judge reliability, and draw professional conclusions regarding samples. The project is adapting a series of experiments from the Journal of Chemical Education so that they reflect this emphasis on QA/QC. The introduction of QA/QC in general chemistry is beneficial to students and faculty in several additional courses and programs. Some students continue in chemistry taking Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis. Others are environmental chemistry majors in Huxley College of Environmental Studies at WWU. The students in these courses and programs are able to advance their understanding and use of QA/QC given their introduction in general chemistry laboratory. In addition, significant improvement in laboratory experience is realized in these higher-level courses because more advanced instrument use and more sophisticated experiments are being carried out. For use in these advanced courses, one of the AAS units is equipped with a Graphite Furnace unit with auto-sampler. The total number of students affected is over 900 per year. In addition, the project is strengthening the ties between the Chemistry Department in the College of Arts and Sciences at WWU and the Environmental Chemistry Program at Huxley College of Environmental Studies at WWU.