This project is designed to improve the quality of learning in several undergraduate analytical chemistry courses at Delta State University, and to increase significantly the number of relevant research projects available to undergraduate chemistry students. These improvements are built around the acquisition of a high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), a modern, highly sensitive analytical instrument. Experience with the computer-controlled instrument operation and data analysis will enable students in analytical chemistry courses to perform better in local industry and in graduate study. New experiments performed by students in the teaching laboratories include the analysis of analgesic tablets, and analysis of plant material for chlorophyll and carotene. HPLC will complement and expand several undergraduate research projects, including those of local environmental significance. Specific research topics are related to the composition of acid rain, analysis of soil and water for pesticides, the fate of herbicides in the environment, and the isolation of rare inorganic species.
