The analytical chemistry course (CHEM 210) at Towson University serves approximately 140 undergraduate students annually, ranging from sophomores to seniors majoring in chemistry, forensic chemistry, biology, or environmental science. The course emphasizes topics such as quantitative chemical analysis and an introduction to instrumental methods of analysis, including spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Historically, the experiments in this course were limited to “verification of quantity” labs that focused on skill development, rather than hypothesis testing and experimental design. To help expand our laboratory curriculum, we have developed, pilot tested, and implemented an authentic research experience in this course. This research experience encourages students to pose a question related to the amount of caffeine in brewed coffee. Caffeine was chosen as the analyte of interest due to its real-world relevance to college students, as well as its low cost, low toxicity, high water solubility, and ease of detection via HPLC. Students choose to investigate one of several possible independent variables (e.g., bean type, roast, brew time, temperature, water hardness, ionic strength, pH). Students are required to formulate a research question and associated hypothesis, design a suitable experiment, collect data via HPLC, and analyze their data using statistical techniques appropriate to answering their research question. Herein, we discuss the pedagogical and logistical challenges associated with incorporating this research experience, including (1) balancing student independence and faculty guidance during the experimental design stage; (2) ensuring that students’ approaches to analyte quantitation are robust; and (3) promoting best-practices concerning interpretation and communication of results. We also discuss strategies that have proven helpful in overcoming these challenges, including students’ preparation of short research proposals, peer review of research proposals, and class discussion topics related to quantitation and quality assurance.

Development, pilot testing, and full implementation of an authentic research experience in undergraduate analytical chemistry: Quantitative analysis of caffeine in coffee

251st National Meeting (2016)

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