Throughout this decade our expertise in gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) has greatly increased and, as a result, so has interest in, and anticipated utilization of this powerful instrumentation. This project enabled the Chemistry Department to purchase a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer to replace unreliable instruments that no longer met the department's growing demands. The acquisition gave the Department a modern, expanded GC/MS capability and has enabled the faculty to significantly improve the research and basic laboratory experiences of students in the following courses: Organic Chemistry Lab, Integrated Organic-Inorganic Lab, Instrumental Analysis, Introduction to Research, Problems in Chemistry, and Undergraduate Chemical Research. Non-majors enrolled in the introductory organic laboratory also gain exposure to GC/MS. Chemistry majors have extensive hands-on experience with state- of-the-art instrumentation enabling them to investigate, characterize and identify compounds related to their courses and research. The project also allows the department to include GC/MS in a new continuing education program which brings to campus high school chemistry teachers. In summary, all of the capabilities of the instrument are utilized to provide the best possible educational experience, on several levels, for students. The institution contributed to the project in an amount equal to the NSF funds.
