3 hours. 1 hours lecture and 6 hours lab per week.
Experimental Methods II
Analytical Thinking
Course Description
In this course students will become familiar with some of the techniques of physical chemistry and instrumental analysis through the investigation of the physical properties of atoms, molecules and materials using modern instrumentation. Students will also improve their writing skills through the emulation of publication-style scientific reporting in lab reports.
Athena Title
Experimental Methods II
Prerequisite
CHEM 3511-3511L
Pre or Corequisite
CHEM 3212
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will utilize basic instrumental, analytical and technical skills to work effectively in the various fields of chemistry.
At the end of this course students will perform accurate quantitative measurements with an understanding of the theory and use of contemporary chemical instrumentation, interpret experimental results, perform calculations on these results and draw reasonable, accurate conclusions.
At the end of this course students will utilize information technology tools such as the Internet and computer-based literature searches as well as printed literature resources to locate and retrieve scientific information needed for laboratory or theoretical work.
At the end of this course students will analyze experimental data through the use of programs such as EXCEL, MATHCAD, CHEMDRAW or other calculation/presentation software.
At the end of this course students will present scientific and technical information resulting from laboratory experimentation in both written and oral formats. Lab reports will be presented written in a form suitable for publication in a scientific journal.
At the end of this course students will practice safety regulations, ethics and societal issues in the use of chemicals in their laboratory work.
Topical Outline
1. Pulsed laser determination of the speed of sound in gases
2. UV-visible absorption and emission spectroscopy of semiconductor quantum dots
3. Thermal lens calorimetry
4. Infrared spectroscopy and ab initio calculations of HCl
5. Laser desorption mass spectrometry of fullerenes, atomic clusters and proteins
6. Raman spectroscopy of carbon nanomaterials
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
