Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, commonly referred to as NMR, has become the accepted technique for determining the structure of organic compounds. The equipment measures the magnetic properties of nuclei. The NMR spectrometer is state-of-the-art technology used by professional chemists in research laboratories. High field NMR spectroscopy has also revolutionized the life sciences through the characterization of proteins and biomolecules. It has become a fundamental tool for all the molecular sciences. Guidelines for professional training established by The American Chemical Society (ACS) state, “Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has become an indispensable experimental method for chemistry and ACS approved chemistry programs must have an operational NMR spectrometer.” Prior to this acquisition, no high field NMR has been available in this region for use by undergraduate students.

 

Wilkes will invest $70,000 of its own funds for the purchase of the spectrometer, which costs $270,000. At Wilkes, it will be a key instrument in organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, and biochemistry courses. It will also serve research efforts where students collaborate closely with the faculty. At LCCC, second-year students will use the instrument to assist in determining structure in organic compounds. LCCC science students, with goals toward 2+2 degrees and beyond, will achieve a significant advantage in the increasing competitive standards for science and technology education.

High school teachers and students will be trained on the instrument during two already established outreach programs offered in the summer.

 

“Providing the most up-to-date technology for our science students is part of Wilkes University’s commitment to excellence in educating tomorrow’s scientists,” says Reynold Verret, Wilkes University provost “We are grateful to the National Science Foundation for funding that allows us to keep this commitment. An NMR spectrometer will be an integral part of our laboratory science program in the years ahead.”

 

“The faculty and students at Luzerne County Community College are excited about the opportunity to partner with Wilkes University in the use of state-of-the-art equipment,” notes Dr. Dana Charles Clark, provost and vice president for academic affairs at LCCC. “The partnership affords our students and faculty exposure to the pathway to higher education and research opportunities.”

 

Partial support for this work was provided by the National Science Foundation's Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) program under Award No. 0837587. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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