Through the generous support of:

The National Science Foundation, Division of Undergraduate Education: Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement--Adaptation & Implementation (DUE-0126135), 2002, $85,238

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc. LCMS Research Equipment Grant, 2001, $45,000

Millikin University

Contents

Abstract
The LC/MS
Use in Courses

The Millikin University Department of Chemistry is integrating a tandem high performance liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer with a photodiode array detector  into courses including Organic Chemistry laboratory, Biochemistry laboratory, Instrumental Analysis laboratory, General Chemistry laboratory, and undergraduate research in chemistry and biology. The purpose of this integration is three-fold: to promote student understanding of tandem chromatography-spectroscopy as a problem-solving technique that takes advantage of methodology common to all sciences, to discourage compartmentalization of chemical ideas, to facilitate student understanding of structure-property relationships, to increase student exposure to modern instrumentation, to improve faculty collaboration, and to effect evolution in the chemistry curriculum to include more problem-based laboratory activities. These purposes complement the goals already shared by the department and Millikin's NSF Institution-Wide Curriculum Reform Project in science.  When this project is fully implemented, approximately 200 Millikin students per year will feel its impact.

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The LC/MS is a Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc. QP-2010 with a PDA detector, autosampler, and computer with operating software.  Electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization techniques are available for use in the MS.

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Undergraduate Research-analysis of treated water for antibiotic content
Spectroscopy and Advanced Instrumentation-discussion of different vaporization techniques
Instrumental Analysis
Biochemistry Lab-molecular weight determination of proteins
Intermediate Chemistry Lab II-molecular weight determination of polypeptides (method still being optimized)

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