The visual imagery of chemistry is now easily accessible to students at the University, thanks to a computer program created by Michael Rooke, assistant professor of chemistry, and his student Stewart Mader, a junior majoring in chemistry, in the College of Arts and Sciences. Called Web-based Spectroscopy Education, the site, <http://chemistry.hartford.edu/spectroscopy>, allows students to view spectroscopy, or the study of light and how it is used in science, as it is applied in the real world. "People take spectroscopy for granted," said Rooke. "It is used in many ways, such as during MRI examinations and when using microwave ovens."

Spectroscopy on View. Stewart Mader was one of 15 students to make a presentation at the annual Undergraduate Research Colloquium, sponsored by the University Honors Program. The students chosen for the program "are among our best and brightest," according to Honors Director Lynne Kelley. Here Mader displays the main web site for his Spectroscopy Education project.

Funding for the project came from the NASA Space Grant Consortium. Rooke’s and Mader’s grant proposal was related to the space mission. "Spectroscopy is fundamental to all sciences," said Rooke. "We noted how it is used in the Hubble Telescope and Global Surveyor programs."

"The site serves several purposes," said Mader. "It uses modern techniques to teach chemistry the way it will be taught in the future, going beyond the traditional chalk-and-textbook approach. Students can work on problems visually any time they have access to a computer, and you get instant feedback on an answer."

The site is divided into five sections: applications, exercises (practice chemistry problems for students), theory (definition and use of light in science), techniques (using five fundamental spectroscopic instruments), and education (how spectroscopy is used at UofH). There is also an instrument guide section containing step-by-step instructions for all instruments in the UofH chemistry labs. "We are still expanding the site, and it now shows some instruments not even owned by our department," said Rooke.

Rooke likes the site because it helps him organize his information and update it easily and quickly. The students like it, too. "Our upper-level students really liked the program, and the lower-level ones sought it out on their own," said Rooke. "Due to the interest sparked by this site, some students are considering choosing chemistry as a major here at the University."

Rooke says interest in the site has come from beyond the University as well. He and Mader presented the project at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco in March, and "a number of schools asked for our address to get this program. We can share this information with other schools, and build on that," said Rooke.