A state-of-the-art atomic absorption spectrophotometer is being incorporated into several chemistry courses. It is being used in an instrumental analysis course, an inorganic course, a physical chemistry course, and for student research. Students are getting hands-on experience in the operation of the AA, which employs microprocessor controlled operation and a self-contained microcomputer. Data is displayed on a CRT and can be printed or plotted if desired. Students from local high schools also spend a day at the university working with the instruments and observing. One of the projects of interest to the students is the investigation of the concentration of metals in the groundwater of Humphreys County, Tennessee. The grantee is matching the award from non-Federal sources.
