|
|
| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
1999
>
December
> |
|
In the Classroom
|
|
|
|
Learning Quality Assurance/Quality Control Using U.S. EPA Techniques. An Undergraduate Course for Environmental Chemistry Majors
|
Susan M. Libes
Department of Chemistry, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC 29526
|
|
December 1999
Vol. 76 No. 12
p. 1642
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Abstract |
|
Chemical analyses should always be accompanied by activities that ensure and document quality control (QC). An undergraduate course in environmental analysis is a practical point at which to teach this, as the U.S. EPA has developed a standard set of QC activities. Such a course should be a requirement for all environmental chemistry programs because the collection of reliable and defensible data is central to regulatory monitoring work as well as modeling efforts and risk assessment. In the environmental realm, QC includes activities associated with sampling, sample preservation and storage, method validation, and analysis involving solids, liquids, and gases. Students should be led to discover the need for QC by first performing analyses with little guidance. This is followed by a class discussion in which they critique their data. Once convinced of the value of QC, students learn specific techniques by performing an Initial Demonstration of Capability for a relatively simple analysis in which they perform an instrumental calibration, determine method detection limits, and demonstrate adequate precision and accuracy. Particular focus is put on the use of spreadsheets for generating forms, producing control charts, and performing statistical tests. A variety of analytical methods are covered, including atomic and molecular spectrometry, ion selective electrodes, and gas chromatography.
|
|
| More Information |
 Citation |
Libes, Susan. J. Chem. Educ. 1999 76 1642.
|
Keywords |
Environmental Chemistry; Instrumental Methods; Laboratory Instruction; Curriculum; Collaborative / Cooperative Learning; Problem-Based Learning; Water / Water Chemistry; Quantitative Analysis
|
History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
November 10, 1999
June 23, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
1999
>
December
> Page
1642
|
|
|
| JCE HS CLIC |
|
Our Secondary School editors work hard to distill all the JCE materials to produce a fraction of particular interest to high school teachers. We call it CLIC.
|
| Contributions Welcome |
| JCE welcomes your submission |
| Advertisers |
| In recent years we have worked hard to better match our advertisers with our readers. When shopping for chemistry education materials, visit our advertisers' WWW sites first. |
| Be An Ambassador |
| Take JCE along on your outreach missions. Copies of the Journal, guest access to JCE Online, our publications catalog, and more are available for your participants. |
|
