A research-based lab experience was developed to replace traditional procedural based laboratory exercises for an analytical chemistry course at a small, predominantly undergraduate institution. The goal was to broaden the scope of techniques covered in a one-semester analytical chemistry course and to prepare students from a variety of chemistry sub-disciplines for their senior research thesis requirement. Students were first introduced to to basic analytical lab techniques with short series of traditional lab exercises. Student teams then selected research questions from a list of pre-screened seed ideas, designed and executed experiments, performed data analysis and reported their results in both written form and as an oral presentation to their peers. The course design was assessed using pre- and post-course questionnaires, focused on student self-assessment of preparedness for and anxiety regarding senior thesis research.

A research-based experience for the undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory

255th National Meeting (2018)

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