The goal of this project is the improvement of the chemistry program through the utilization of a gas chromatograph-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer system. Hyphenated techniques such as the GC-FTIR are commonly used in graduate school and industry; the chemistry department is providing an example of coupled equipment for their students as well as giving them the opportunity for hands on experience. The faculty have approached the task in a three-phase plan developed a few years back: the purchase of the FTIR, the subsequent purchase of the GC, followed by the interfacing of the two pieces of equipment. Although the GC and FTIR are coupled, through the use of computer controlled swing-away mirror, they can be used independently. The combined system is allowing the investigation of complex mixtures that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to undertake at the undergraduate level. The GC-FTIR also lends itself readily to the techniques of the newly-established micro- organic chemistry program. The courses most directly affected by the acquisition of the GC-FTIR are the two-semester Organic Chemistry sequence, Advanced Organic Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, and Senior Research. The institution contributed to this project in an amount equal to the NSF funds.
