The Chemistry Departments at the two schools (Carthage College and Concordia University) reviewed their laboratory curricula and recognized a need for more multiweek, project-based experiments. Such experiments better mirror real world chemistry, foster critical thinking skills, and demonstrate how different instrumental techniques and different areas of chemistry can be integrated to solve a complex problem. The acquisition of a Bruker Avance 200-MHz FT-NMR spectrometer with a quatro-nuclear (IH, 13C, l9F, 31p) probe and variable temperature capabilities allows these goals to be achieved. With this instrument, laboratory projects using high-field NMR can be incorporated into eight upper-level courses. In addition, the spectrometer strengthens and diversifies projects available to students interested in undergraduate research. Semiannual poster sessions and meetings with colleagues at several other liberal arts colleges in the area can be organized to evaluate educational objectives and share results with other institutions. *
