Instrumental analysis courses enable students to gain an understanding of instruments used to probe chemical systems. These courses often provide a detailed understanding of the underlying principles of electronics and circuitry, data acquisition and processing, and relevant figures of merit while working with a variety of instruments. Many of the skills and much of the content presented in the instrumental analysis class is, by its very nature, hands on. However, the traditional format of separate lectures and laboratories makes maximizing time for these experiences challenging. To mitigate this difficulty, we have used the integrated lecture/lab format, blending hands on activities, including those akin to lab experiments, with lecture/discussion. Using two 3 hour blocks per week has provided ample opportunity for active student learning. We will present salient outcomes for both instructor and students.

Optimizing trade-offs: The integrated lecture-laboratory in instrumental analysis

245th National Meeting (2013)

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