Enhancement of undergraduate chemistry laboratory experiences through a collaboration of industry and academia

The use of analytical instrumentation in undergraduate laboratories is critical to the scientific training of students at colleges and universities. The laboratory provides students with an opportunity for the development of practical skills necessary for conducting experiments. Laboratory experiences reinforce many of the theoretical concepts presented during lectures. Laboratory sessions allow students to conduct measurements using state-of-the-art instrumentation to support their experimental findings. LECO Corporation, a manufacturer of analytical instrumentation, has initiated a program to take high-performance mass spectrometers to colleges and universities for laboratory experiments. This program involves the introduction of modern-day mass spectrometers and associated software to students, faculty, and staff at academic institutions. Visitations have provided students with “hands-on” experiences in modern instrumentation. These visitations were conducted using a Separation Science Bus equipped with analytical instrumentation. The major goal of this project is to increase exposure to high-performance gas chromatographs equipped with time-of-flight mass spectrometers (GC-TOFMS). The bus mass spectrometers will be used to acquire experimental data, and analyze results. Targeted courses for the project included sophomore organic chemistry, instrumental analysis, and forensic science.
The networked GC-TOFMS instruments are equipped with an autosampler, gas chromatograph, and mass analyzer which are fully controlled by user-friendly software. The instructors coordinated with the industry representative to create or modify experiments so they could be conducted in a reasonable amount of time without sacrificing key learning objectives. Each student acquired and processed their experimental data and then received a printout or electronic copy of their data so they could complete their experimental reports. The key learning concepts and select undergraduate laboratory experiments for each course will be highlighted during the presentation.