Improving Undergraduate Learning Across the Chemistry Curriculum through Integration of GC-MS

Northland College, Ashland WI

Investigators

Abstract

Through integration of advanced gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detection across the chemistry curriculum and into the biology and geoscience curriculum, student understanding of complex environmental issues is being expanded. A spiraled approach starting in General Chemistry and continuing with guided-inquiry, project-based laboratory experiences throughout the curriculum is developing student expertise using this powerful hyphenated technology toward solving important issues. The topics and the experiments are being adapted and implemented from the chemical and research literature and include multiple uses for the GC-MS. The GC-MS is also being used across discipline lines (ecology and geoscience) to strengthen existing collaborations and to encourage additional ones and to illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of scientific inquiry.