A differential scanning calorimeter is being acquired for use in physical chemistry and instrumental analysis courses in order to introduce thermal methods of analysis into the chemistry curriculum. Thermal methods are being used to characterize widely diverse substances such as polymers, oils, clays, carbohydrates, and soil, and they also are being used to provide enthalpimetric data which is difficult to obtain by other methods. In addition, an instrument is being laboratory- constructed to perform thermometric titrations for use in situations where conventional calorimetric indicators cannot be used. Inclusion of instruction in thermal methods is expanding the chemistry curriculum into areas of materials science and is serving as a model for other undergraduate curricula. The instrumentation also is being used in the undergraduate research program.
