The project is allowing students to experience one of the most powerful, modern techniques of chemical mixture analysis. The ability of the University to analyze organic substances is being greatly enhanced by the purchase of a benchtop Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) System. Methods for analysis of air-borne and water-transported organic components from the many petroleum, petrochemical, and agricultural industries in South Texas are being developed in Environmental Chemistry. In Instrumental Analysis, applications of this modern technique are being presented for student instruction. With the GC/MS, experiments exploring reaction mechanisms through product distributions and the use of isotope tracers are being developed for the Advanced Synthesis Laboratory. All of the above activities can apply to problems in Undergraduate Research. The GC/MS is reducing the separation and analysis time needed for many projects to the point where undergraduates can realistically consider completing some quality research during their short tenure. The significance of the project is great for the education of the population of South Texas. The grantee is matching the award from non-Federal sources.
