Integration of GC-MS into the Chemistry and Environmental Science Curriculum

化学（12）气相色谱-质谱法已被纳入整个化学课程。通过调整已发表的实验研究或化学教育文献，以适应我们机构的独特挑战和机遇，我们正在为我们的专业课程和非专业课程开发新的教学材料。气相色谱-质谱法对我们的分析/仪器化学课程和非科学专业的环境化学课程产生了重大影响。使用该仪器的其他课程包括有机化学、天然产物化学、合成技术和化学研究导论。这次课程改革的一个主要主题是基于项目的复杂样本调查，直接参与学生的科学思维。使用气相色谱-质谱使我们能够继续我们的分析程序的方向向复杂的，“现实世界”样品的分析最近的变化。非专业课程的实验设计侧重于当地的环境问题，例如当地的燃煤蒸汽火车如何影响空气质量。这种实践经验对于有效地吸引少数群体和未来的K-12教师至关重要。这个项目的另一个成果是，所有的生物和化学学生都接触到了现代分析仪器，提高了他们对分子结构和动态研究的兴趣。研究学生可以使用最先进的仪器方法，这加强了他们研究生学习和工业实验室职位的准备，不可避免地提高了我们机构本科专业的发表率。在接下来的五年里，800多名学生将感受到这项仪器改进项目的影响，其中包括我们项目中的大约150名美洲原住民和西班牙裔学生。

Chemistry (12) A GC-MS is being incorporated throughout the chemistry curriculum. By adapting published experiments from the research or chemical education literature to the unique challenges and opportunities of our institution, we are developing novel pedagogical materials in both our majors courses as well as our non-majors courses. The GC-MS is having a major impact on our analytical/instrumental chemistry courses and on an environmental chemistry course for non-science majors. Additional classes that are using the instrument include organic chemistry, natural products chemistry, synthesis techniques and introduction to chemical research. A major theme of this curriculum change is project-based investigations of complex samples that directly engage the students in scientific thinking. Use of the GC-MS allows us to continue a recent change in direction of our analytical program towards the analysis of complex, "real world" samples. Experiments in the non-majors course are designed with a focus on local environmental concerns such as how the air quality is affected by a local coal-powered steam train. Such hands-on experience is critical in effectively engaging minority groups and prospective K-12 teachers. An additional outcome of this project is that all biology and chemistry students are being exposed to modern analytical instrumentation that enhances their interest in molecular structural and dynamic studies. Research students have access to state-of-the-art instrumental methods, which is strengthening their preparation for graduate studies and industrial laboratory positions and inevitably improving the publication rate of undergraduate majors at our institution. The impact of this instrument improvement project will be felt by more than 800 students over the next five years, including approximately 150 Native American and Hispanic students in our program.