A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS), which has recently been acquired by the Chemistry Department of the University of West Florida is finding application in six undergraduate courses and in directed student research. Courses in basic organic chemistry, with a variety of majors, and advanced organic chemistry, with chemistry and allied health science majors are significantly enhanced by the availability of this system. Students are enabled to collect and evaluate firsthand data as, for example, (1) separating and identifying halocarbons by examining the molecular ions formed, (2) differentiating between isomers such as methyl p-hydroxybenzoate and p-methoxybenzoic acid by examining the fragmentation ions, (3) preparing and analyzing volatile organometallics, and (4) evaluating water supplies for organic contaminants.
