The Department of Biological Sciences at Mankato State University has recognized strengths in microbiology, environmental science, toxicology, and an emerging program in biotechnology. The department is dedicated to providing hands- on training to undergraduate students. Purchase of a Lachat Ion Analyzer will enhance interdisciplinary undergraduate instruction and student research related to the analyses of constituents such as nutrients (phosphates, nitrogen species), salts (chlorides, sulfates), trace metals (sodium, calcium), and other chemistries that are important in growth and fermentation processes. This capability will provide a significant improvement over the typical laboratory exercise by allowing the student to progress beyond data collection and number generation to data analysis, data interpretation, and decision making.
