Teaching Students to Think as Analytical Chemists by Developing a Laboratory Course in Method Development

化学（12）我们正在使用自动原子吸收光谱仪、自动高效液相色谱仪和微波消化和提取设备，以加强学生在分析化学方面的学习，并将所学知识应用于物理和生物科学的其他化学课程和研究项目。我们正在从文献中改编一些基于问题的实验室，例如城市空气或鳟鱼溪流的环境监测以及临床对照血清的分析。这些实验项目使用“真实”样本（血清、空气、水），并要求学生设计、优化和验证一种方法来完成他们项目中的工作。这个项目的两大教学目标是：通过分析课程的变化和现代分析仪器的购置，提供现代分析化学的指导；创造一个教育环境，让学生通过学习分析化学家的思维来解决问题。这些目标是通过以下方式实现的：(1)创建一个新的课程，更好地代表分析化学所需的技能；(2)为学生提供基于问题的实验室体验；(3)创建以学生为中心的实验室，强调合作学习；(4)培养学生使用现代自动化仪器的能力；(5)将分析实验室的经验与学生的兴趣联系起来。方法开发课程是化学专业的一门高级实验课程，学生作为研究团队的一部分，设计、优化和验证一种分析方法，用于分析复杂的真实矩阵中的分析物。每个学生负责小组项目的一个或多个方面。这个项目的一个关键特点是使用了“拼图”概念，来自不同小组的学生，但有相似的责任，定期会面，分享信息，讨论共同问题的解决方案。

Chemistry (12)We are using an automated atomic absorption spectrometer, an automated HPLC, and equipment for microwave digestions and extractions to enhance students learning in analytical chemistry and applying the knowledge gained to other chemistry courses in the physical and biological sciences and to research projects. We are adapting a number of problem-based laboratories from literature such as the environmental monitoring of urban air or trout streams and the analysis of a clinical control serum. These lab projects make use of "real" samples (serum, air, water) and require students to design, optimize, and validate a method(s) to do the work in their project. Two broad pedagogical objectives of this project are- to provide instruction in modern analytical chemistry through changes to the analytical curriculum and the acquisition of modern analytical instrumentation, and to create an educational environment in which students solve problems by learning to think as analytical chemists. These objectives are accomplished by: (1) creating a new curriculum that better represents the skills required in analytical chemistry; (2) providing students with a problem-based laboratory experience; (3) creating a student-centered lab emphasizing cooperative learning; (4) training students in the use of modern, automated instrumentation; and (5) linking the analytical lab experience to a student's interests. In the Method Development course, an upper-level laboratory course required of chemistry majors, the students work as part of a research team to design, optimize and validate an analytical method for an analyte in a complex, real matrix. Each student assumes responsibility for one or more aspects of the group's project. A key feature of this project is the use of the "jigsaw" concept in which students from different groups, but with similar responsibilities, periodically meet to share information and discuss solutions to common problems.