Thermal Analysis Across the Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum

化学（12）热分析涉及监测化合物随温度变化的行为，差示扫描量热法（DSC）和热重分析（TGA）等技术被广泛用作材料科学研究中的表征工具。我们正在从研究和教育文献中改编实验，并正在开发新的实验，所有这些实验都利用了可以使用我们新的DSC和TGA仪器进行的热分析技术。这些实验正在我们的化学课程（有机，物理，无机，聚合物和生物化学）的实验室课程中实施。例如，学生在物理化学中使用TGA确定与聚合物降解相关的动力学参数，并在生物化学中使用DSC分析蛋白质变性。我们的目标是让学生获得热分析技术的经验，并发展这些技术的适用性，以广泛的问题的赞赏。学生们也在他们的本科研究项目中使用DSC和TGA仪器。对该项目的评估正在以多种方式进行，包括受影响课程的暴露前和暴露后评估，以及对我们高年级专业学生的离职面谈数据的汇编。新实验的程序将在互联网上公布，经过测试的实验也将在适当的期刊上发表。

Chemistry (12) Thermal analysis involves monitoring the behavior of a compound as a function of temperature, and techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) are used extensively as characterization tools in materials science research. We are adapting experiments from the research and educational literature and are developing new experiments, all of which utilize thermal analysis techniques that can be carried out using our new DSC and TGA instruments. These experiments are being implemented in laboratory courses across our chemistry curriculum (organic, physical, inorganic, polymer, and biochemistry). For example, students determine the kinetic parameters associated with polymer degradation using TGA in physical chemistry, and analyze protein denaturation using DSC in biochemistry. Our goal is to have students gain experience with thermal analysis techniques, and develop an appreciation for the applicability of these techniques to a wide range of problems. Students also are using the DSC and TGA instruments in their undergraduate research projects. Evaluation of the project is occurring in a number of ways, including pre- and post-exposure assessment in the affected courses, and compilation of data from exit interviews of our senior majors. Procedures for the new experiments are being made available on the internet, and tested experiments also will be published in the appropriate journals.