Abstract:

An educational experience for teaching instrumental analysis using a problem-solving approach is described. This methodology was applied to courses on Instrumental Analysis developed in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering courses along the 2007-2008 period in the University of Valencia (Spain). Here, orthodox theoretical lessons were combined with experiments on potentiometry, visible-ultraviolet spectrophotometry, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography and cyclic voltammetry using, in each case, a selected analytical problem which includes sampling, sample pretreatment, identification/determination and data analysis. Specifically, this methodology attempts to correct misconceptions previously detected with regard to instrumental analysis.