The Chemistry Department is reshaping its analytical chemistry laboratory courses such that students are studying and learning analytical chemistry in the same way it is practiced by professional chemists. A computer is being provided at every work station, where the computer is being used in conjunction with an interface and various sensors to control experiments and collect and analyze data. This frees the student from much of the drudgery of data acquisition and allows more time for thought-intensive activities such as decisions on optimal experiment design and the most appropriate way to treat data resulting from the measurements made. In addition, because the computer gathers large amounts of data rapidly and accurately, students are being exposed to experiments which are more complex and interesting than those previously possible. The changes are bringing a new and exciting vitality to the analytical chemistry courses. The equipment being used to achieve these goals includes 16 computers, 16 interfaces and associated sensors, and four printers to serve a total of 32 students at a given time.
