Chemistry and physics students are introduced to modern spectroscopic techniques involving lasers, and at the same time gain experience in assembling modular, computer-controlled instrumentation. Students assemble modular instruments for experiments using such components as a N2 laser, fiber optics, a boxcar/gated integrator, a scanning monochrometer, a photomultiplier, an A/D converter, and an interfaced MacintoshIIcx laboratory computer with Labview software. The students learn the fundamentals of using a laboratory computer to integrate and control instrumentation. The grantee provides funds for this project that are an equal match for the NSF award.