This project will improve the education of women science majors by providing them with hands-on experience with modern spectrometric instruments interfaced with computers to study molecular structure and dynamics. The acquisition of a 90 MHz FT-NMR with multinuclear and variable temperature probes, a GC/MS, and a fast-scanning UV/VIS spectrophotometer, will provide for in-depth and challenging laboratory projects. We will incorporate these projects into our curriculum by both expanding experiments that are currently used and replacing less sophisticated experiments that do not use advanced techniques. Carrying out high-level experiments using sophisticated equipment will enhance the understanding of theoretical concepts and basic applications covered in the classroom.
