The Western Piedmont Community College Chemistry Improvement Project allowed the upgrade and expansion of undergraduate curricula in General Chemistry, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry for freshman non-science transfer students and pre-professional and technical associate degree students. The research and industry-standard laboratory equipment acquired with the NSF grant permitted the following objectives to the achieved: (1) the introduction of new gas chromatography exercises, (2) the introduction of new visible and infrared spectrophotometric exercises, (3) the teaching of computer assisted analytical skills for data acquisition and manipulation, and (4) the opportunity for students to acquire hands-on experience with sophisticated laboratory equipment. Important scientific concepts previously taught with audio-visual aids and visits to university and industry laboratories are now integrated into campus classroom and laboratory instruction. The institution is matching the NSF grant with an equal amount of funds.
