This project enhances the undergraduate Instrumental Analysis course by focusing it on practical electronics and data acquisition techniques that apply to real research problems. Inexpensive modular instruments will allow students to perform sophisticated experiments with apparatus that is partially constructed during the laboratory. Use of lasers and computer control of instrumentation, fast transient data acquisition, phase sensitive detection, and the use of optical detectors are emphasized. Experiments involve organic and inorganic photochemistry and spectroscopy, kinetics, and chemical physics.An independent, short research project requires the student to apply his or her training to an original problem. The project also improves the undergraduate Physical Chemistry laboratories.
