A quadropole mass spectrometer and associated computer hardware and software for instrument control and data analysis is being acquired. The instrumentation is being interfaced to an existing/packed column gas chromatograph, giving gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and interactive data acquisition analysis capabilities which were previously nonexistent in the department. Students (both majors and non-majors) are using the apparatus in fulfilling laboratory assignments in Organic Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, and Physical Chemistry courses. The equipment is also being used extensively by students in the required senior research program. While the program had previously integrated the chemistry subdisciplines within the laboratory program attached to individual courses, especially Instrumental Analysis, this is the first the vertical integration has been accomplished. The progressively challenging and instructive hands-on exercises centered around the modern GC/MS is the cornerstone of the program. The grantee is matching the award from non-Federal sources.
