Columbia College has a significant tradition of training future communications professionals. The Science Department incorporates this tradition into the chemistry curriculum by offering courses which examine the impact of chemistry on areas of social concern like the environment, drugs and drug testing, and consumer product quality. The results of student research projects in these and other areas are integrated with the student's communications specialties through the preparation of reports as videotapes, films, artwork and other creative presentations. Laboratory experience, which is a strong emphasis throughout the curriculum, features numerous applications of gas chromatography component of the laboratory program, and extend it to its next logical step: GC/mass spectroscopy. The new equipment, used in conjunction allows students to investigate and report on a wide variety of realistic problems in the application of chemistry to the concerns and needs of society. The institution is matching the NSF grant with an equal amount of funds.
