Dwight Patterson

dpatters@mtsu.edu

Earl Pearson

Chemistry

Discipline specific equipment

DSB/203, 207, 236, 238

N/A

N/A

The following equipment upgrades for several of our advanced chemistry teaching laboratories are urgently needed to replace instruments that are twelve to fifteen years old. This includes: replacing two +10 years old UV-vis spectrometers, adding two in PChem laboratory with accessories for kinetic experiments, replacing fifteen year old infrared (FTIR) microscopy, upgrading the DSC to modulation capabilities, and switching from GPIB to LAN connectivity. The various laboratory experiences (biochemistry, biochemical techniques, physical chemistry, polymer materials characterization, instrumental analysis), are required in meeting the requirements of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The FTIR microscopy capabilities will be added to the new research FTIR. The students impacted by these laboratories represent a broad spectrum of academic programs including chemistry, biology, and pre-health professions It has been shown that optimum learning occurs where problem solving and laboratory experiences reinforce the material covered in lectures. The equipment upgrades in this project cover ACS’s first tier of essential equipment needed by an ACS accredited chemistry department. The upgrades will allow additional modern laboratory and undergraduate/graduate research experiences that we are not able to offer at the present time. The upgraded equipment will be moved to the new science building. 155 students/year will be affected.