Sophisticated instrumentation has been incorporated into the general chemistry laboratory curriculum at Youngstown State University for hands-on use by students completing appropriate modules in the second semester course.  The major instruments acquired for the project consist of a benchtop X-ray powder diffractometer and UV-Vis spectrometer. The proposed work is linked closely to the NSF-funded Ohio Consortium for Undergraduate Research � Research Experiences to Enhance Learning (OCUR-REEL) Project, or REEL for short. We have developed and implemented two materials-related research modules for our General Chemistry II laboratory curriculum which will be described.  Pertinent questions to be addressed include the impact that access to sophisticated equipment has on student characteristics such as: (1) attitude towards the laboratory experience, and (2) retention in (or recruitment to) a STEM related discipline as the major course of study.  The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the NSF (DUE 0737302) for support of this project.

Incorporating a meaningful research experience into the general chemistry curriculum through implementation of equipment for materials characterization

240th National Meeting (2010)

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