9451921 Edvenson Moorhead State University and Concordia College will purchase a medium-field multinuclear NMR spectrometer and supporting hardware and software to implement a network which to be called NMRnet. The networked spectrometer will be used by both institutions to introduce improved NMR experiments and techniques into their organic and upper division chemistry courses and to support ongoing undergraduate research. The NMRnet will allow students at both institutions to use personal computers to work-up files exported from the NMR console, thereby achieving a high efficiency of spectrometer use and enabling all organic laboratory students (140 in the fall quarter/semester) to obtain weekly experimental spectra. Students will acquire their own first spectra with faculty supervision, however, student technicians will normally operate the NMR spectrometer for the routine organic samples. In upper division courses, students will independently control the NMR experiment so that they can more fully understand the NMR technique. The interinstitutional effort will allow both departments to achieve curricular goals while still maintaining departmental autonomy and will provide cost savings in equipment purchase and on-going operational costs. Last, the NMRnet should be the first of a number of cooperative instrumental projects for the institutions.
