One goal of experimental instrumentation courses should be to teach students of chemistry how to use high resolution, high sensitivity equipment. Students should have the opportunity of making measurements near the limit of detectability of this type of instrument and be required to do it well. Most students that continue in chemistry will find that an important part of their time is spent either in making such measurements or in interpreting them. Sadly, students are often taught to make such measurements on older equipment or on teaching equipment. Often the instrument itself is the biggest source of error in the experiment and students learn how to blame the instrument rather than use it. To challenge students to do their best and to strengthen the instrumentation courses, a high sensitivity, high resolution spectrofluorometer is being used in instrumental analysis and in physical chemistry. The technique is easy to learn and the instrument is modestly priced. The technique is more sensitive than absorption spectroscopy and is providing a myriad of applications for teaching principles through experimentation rather than just teaching how to turn on a machine. The equipment is also offering an opportunity for interesting and challenging undergraduate research projects. The grantee is matching the award from non-Federal funds.
