Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) will be incorporated into the curriculum of the joint chemistry department of St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict. The FTIR instrument will be used in the organic, advanced inorganic, physical, instrumental analysis, and nonmajor chemistry courses, as well as student research. Experiments will enhance student understanding of functional group transformations, library matching/identification of unknowns, group theory, kinetics, and rotational/vibrational spectroscopy of heteronuclear diatomic molecules. The instrument will give non-science students firsthand experience with the way scientists gather data and solve problems. The grantee will match the NSF award from non-Federal sources.
