Using Group Projects in Physical Chemistry Laboratory to Integrate Concepts in Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy

A project-based approach has been developed for the laboratory associated with the second-semester course in physical chemistry (quantum mechanics, spectroscopy and statistical thermodynamics). Students conduct both spectroscopic measurements and theoretic calculations on a molecule of environmental significance. Upon completion of the laboratory work, students in the laboratory section then prepare individual written research reports and an oral group report. The overall project structure as well as results obtained for selected molecules (carbon tetrachloride and carbon disulfide) is described. This approach allowed students to investigate the interrelationships between molecular structure and symmetry from a theoretical and experimental standpoint, and connect spectroscopic data with statistical thermodynamics. Moreover, students were afforded the opportunity to learn how to connect the properties measured on individual molecules within a flexible, cooperative framework in which information on different molecules is shared within a group to illustrate more general concepts.