Introduction

The laboratory components of our courses (the Science of Chemical Measurement) are designed to provide practical experience with methods, measurements, and instrumentation typical to quantitative analysis experiments. The laboratory component of the course meets twice a week for three to four hours depending on the course, and is supported by two hours of lecture and one hour of a discussion or recitation section per week.

In lab, you will learn and practice the safe handling of glassware and instrumentation essential to chemical measurement, report quantitative results with appropriate statistical framing, and explore concepts primarily related to aqueous-based chemistry through precise chemical measurements. The experience combines independent bench work with collaborative experiments requiring peer input. Quantitative analysis involves determining the amount of an analyte in a sample, relying on the accuracy and precision of chemical measurements made. Thus, accuracy and precision will sometimes be part of the assessment. As chemistry is an experimental and exploratory science, you will regularly need to solve problems creatively and explore aspects beyond the stated objectives of the lab. Some assessments are designed around the incorporation of course concepts in solving these complex problems.

Occasionally, the course lecturer may include an inquiry-based experiment or series of experiments that simulate the experience of conducting original research. In these “Project Lab” experiences, you will collaborate with other students to develop your own experimental questions and design experiments to address them. These research-based projects offer a unique opportunity to think creatively about analytical science. Instead of aiming for a single correct answer, the focus is on navigating the scientific inquiry process, using data and interpreting results to guide future experimental decisions. This mirrors the real-world work of a scientist, emphasizing the dynamic and iterative nature of scientific research.

We view the laboratory experience as being an experiment itself, and we welcome your comments on your experiences and observations. If you wish to share your feedback beyond the course survey, feel free to contact the analytical laboratory director with your input, or leave your suggestions in the Comment Box, located at the end of each manual page.

We hope you have fun in the lab!

Pamela Doolittle
Distinguished Director, Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Laboratories
June 24, 2024