The chemistry department at Susquehanna University introduces undergraduate students to "hands-on" use of modern instruments throughout their four-year program. Recently the department has begun interfacing major laboratory instrumentation to computers. Currently, students use nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry primarily for identification and characterization of organic compounds in the sophomore organic course. This project will extend students' experience with NMR to include computer interfacing and sophisticated applications in physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, instrumental analysis, biochemistry, advanced organic chemistry, and undergraduate research. Students will use a computerized data base of NMR spectra for direct comparison of known spectra with spectra measured in their experiments. In addition, they will have direct experience with the advantage of multiple scans and computer enhancement of instrument signals. This project will give the students more complete knowledge of the varied applications of NMR spectrometry and prepare them to use modern computer-controlled instruments in industry and postgraduate research.
