Capillary Electrophoresis and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Experiments throughout the Undergraduate Curriculum

An assessment phase of a curricular project where students encountered both capillary electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography instrumentation multiple times, in a variety of chemistry courses, throughout their undergraduate career was recently completed. Each encounter with the instruments was designed to address the most critical aspects of the techniques at appropriate levels while building from previous student experience. The assessment phase evaluated student learning and perceptions as they moved through the curriculum. Students completed a questionnaire in every class utilizing either of the instruments. The responses have now been evaluated and they indicate that student understanding and appreciation deepen through multiple exposures to the same instrument or technique.