Field Research Station Experience

Catalog description

This course explores real-world applications of chemical principles and analyses in an off-campus setting. This is an immersive experience at a partner research facility. Students interact with field research station scientists who share their expertise on the local system being studied. We study chemical tools and methods and experience these methods applied on site. The course includes data analysis. Topics may include the chemical principles of acid-base equilibrium, chemical solubility, spectrophotometric methods, fluorescence, plastics and materials, detection of molecules, and chemical separations. The course integrates scientific understanding with the local history and current impact of human cultures. The course includes reading scientific literature and news articles on current events related to the location of the field research station. Communication skills are developed via oral presentations and written formats to both scientists and non-scientists. The goals are to understand how chemical concepts are applied in the field and how scientific data can guide local communities. Repeatable for credit at different locations - maximum four. A maximum of two credits may apply to the chemistry major with environmental science concentration. Lect .5, Lab .5, Field .5. Prerequisite: one of the following: CHM 301 , CHM 302 , CHM 305 , CHM 313 , CHM 325 , CHM 413 , CHM 417 , or CHM 461 . Offered Occasionally.