Recent developments in low cost, benchtop Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer systems offer new approaches to undergraduate education in chemistry. The objective of this project is the enhancement of the undergraduate chemistry curriculum at the institution through the inclusion of extensive laboratory experience in concepts and techniques of GC/MS. The addition of GC/MS has affected a broad range of courses including Instrumental Analysis, Microscale Organic Laboratories and Environmental Chemistry. In addition, students participate in laboratory-based studies, involving independent projects and undergraduate honor's research. The project has been designed to introduce students to new chemical and technological advances in the component or hyphenated technique, while making basic concepts of mass spectrometry clear in a simple, rational and interesting manner. Modern GC/MS methodology, currently used in industrial chemical laboratories is being utilized to solve a variety of problems in analytical and organic laboratory courses. Thus, students are exposed to equipment and techniques that they may reasonably expect to use in their future professional careers. The project also includes featuring the equipment in the departmental sponsored workshops and demonstrations for high school science teachers and senior students. The institution has contributed to the project in an amount equal to the NSF funds.
