NSF Proposal No. DUE-9850742
INTRODUCING ICP-MS TO ENHANCE ENVIRONMENTAL AND
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY CURRICULA
PROJECT SUMMARY
This proposal outlines details for the purchase and use of an ICP-MS system. The determination of
trace levels of toxic metals is a critical issue in the fields of environmental, analytical, and clinical
chemistry. Therefore, introduction of ICP-MS in the environmental and analytical chemistry
curricula is essential in order to keep our students abreast of the latest developments in metal ions
analysis. The proposed project will provide students hands on experience in the use of this
technology. Students benefiting from this project will be those taking senior level environmental
chemistry courses required for our B.S. Environmental Chemistry degree, and those taking
instrumental analysis courses required for all Chemistry majors. In addition, the desired system will
also be available for directed undergraduate research in environmental chemistry and geological
sciences.
Four new experiments have already been designed and tested using the ICP-MS of a commercial
environmental laboratory. These experiments will be introduced into the undergraduate
environmental and analytical chemistry curricula. Introduction of these experiments will not only
enhances the two curriculum, but will also provide students some hands on experience on the use
and application of ICP-MS. Students will analyze a variety of samples including ground and
drinking water, urban particulate matters, human hair, and blood samples. When appropriate, they
will follow E.P.A. approved methodologies and protocols to carry out their analyses. The theory,
principle, and the hardware of ICP-MS will be discussed in the analytical chemistry lecture course.
This project will facilitate the learning of a technique, which can be used as a powerful analytical
tool for scientific inquiries in environmental and biological Chemistry as well as in Geology.
ICP-MS is now considered the technique of choice for the analysis of trace metals. Availability of
ICP-MS will expose our students to state of the art analytical instrumentation that they will
encounter in professional and academic settings after graduation. California State University,
Northridge has been rated first in the nation for producing students entering doctoral program; a
contributing factor to that rating has been the dedication and commitment of the department of
Chemistry to provide its students the best training possible in undergraduate laboratories and directed
undergraduate research. This exposure will make our undergraduate students more competitive and
well prepared for positions in industry and advanced degree programs. The Chemistry Department at
California State University, Northridge has made a strong financial commitment to acquire state of
the art analytical instrumentation and to become a center of excellence as well a model for
undergraduate environmental and analytical chemistry education. Funding of this project will further
this goal.
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