This grant supports the purchase of 19 Pentium class, IBM compatible computers with interface boards and associated network hardware and software to improve laboratory instruction for students in general chemistry, analytical chemistry, and physical chemistry courses. This equipment permits the establishment of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) in the general chemistry laboratory and in the physical/analytical chemistry laboratory. Computer-assisted experiments enable students in the general chemistry laboratory to realize the full potential of discovery-based experiments. Computers so greatly facilitate the collection and exchange of data between students that they are able to use laboratory time to manipulate and analyze this data. The ease with which data and graphs can be manipulated permits students to make further explorations, stimulate critical thinking, and lead them to new discoveries. Students in advanced chemistry courses, in addition to using computers for rapid data acquisition and analysis, employ these computers in more sophisticated applications, such as designing their own laboratory information management systems.
