Integration of capillary electrophoresis into the undergraduate chemistry curriculum: Impacts on student learning and student-faculty research

CHED 1594

Kevin H. Bennett, bennett@hood.edu and Sharron W. Smith, bennett@hood.edu. Department of Chemistry and Physics, Hood College, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701
Capillary electrophoresis (CE) instrumentation acquired through the National Science Foundation Course Curriculum Laboratory Improvement program has had a significant impact on student learning and faculty-student research at Hood College. As part of a department effort to improve student understanding of separation techniques, several CE experiments were integrated into Hood College's chemistry courses. Capillary electrophoresis is introduced in general chemistry with an analysis of caffeine in beverages. More sophisticated experiments follow in analytical and biochemistry courses to allow students to investigate real-world problems of pesticide analysis and peptide sequencing while reinforcing the fundamental principles of CE. Besides impacting student learning in the laboratory, the acquisition of the CE instrument has had a significant influence on the number of student-faculty research projects in the department. This presentation will cover the challenges of integrating instrumentation through the curriculum and the role of improved student learning on research.
 

General Papers
8:00 AM-11:10 AM, Thursday, April 10, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- Jefferson Ballroom, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008