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U N I V E R S I T Y O F P I T T S B U R G H |
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| Volume VII, Number 1 |
October, 2001 |
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U N I V E R S I T Y O F P I T T S B U R G H |
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| Volume VII, Number 1 |
October, 2001 |
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Automated Spectrophotometry in General
Chemistry Laboratory Peter Siska, who has taught for thirty years in Pitt’s general chemistry program, and Stanley Paul, longtime coordinator of the general chemistry laboratories, have repeatedly agonized over the spectrophotometry experiments in the lab and often wished they could improve them. Finally, they have two reasons for optimism: new affordable technology and an ACIE grant for Automated Spectrophotometry in General Chemistry Laboratory. The grant will enable them to replace the manually operated student-model spectrophotometers with new state-of-the-art models. These new machines can be interfaced to a computer that will control instrument functions, recording and plotting the spectra. It will now be possible for general chemistry honors students to make spectrophotometry measurements quickly and accurately. This enhanced speed and accuracy has two main benefits. First, it gives students additional time to broaden their laboratory experience. Second, it gives them practice with the type of equipment they are likely to encounter in the workplace. The departmental equipment manager, Gregory Meisner, who has advised Siska
and Paul over the years, will assist in the project. Siska has run his own
honors version of the general chemistry course sequence for many years,
and he is the author of the laboratory manuals now used in chemistry
honors courses. In his own research labs, he has recently added electron
spectroscopy capability, and this has made him more aware of improvements
in spectroscopic technology. More than anything else, however, he wants
his students to “have positive experiences in lab— where they really learn
chemistry— so they can carry away a feeling of competence in, and
appreciation for, the laboratory foundations of all science, wherever they
end up in life.” | ||||||||||||
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A newsletter devoted to the support of teaching and learning at the University of Pittsburgh |
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Center for Instructional
Development & Distance Education |
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