Events and Classes

Classes

Though all of the courses in the Chemistry department are subjectively interesting, we use this space to highlight upcoming classes that might spark interest for students that are not traditionally taking courses in Chemistry.

Electronics and Instrumentation Lecture and Lab, Spring 2024

This course should provide people with a foundation in electronics to help them continue exploring and creating.

Analog and digital electronics are the lifeblood of analytical instrumentation so knowing how it works helps people understand some of the limitations of our measurements and sets them up to do some troubleshooting when things go wrong. This class is all about getting a hands-on understanding of the circuits that are commonly used in instruments. The lecture helps support and supplement the understanding that students obtain by building and characterizing the responses of a reasonably large number of circuits.

The lab portion of the course involved choosing a personal project to work on.

Who is the course for?

You must have some admission status to PSU (senior auditors are welcome too!). There are no prerequisites.
Folks interested in STEM: Whether you identify as an engineer, chemist, physicist, instrument technician, or something else, the skills and knowledge base you will be introduced to in this course can support your future.
Folks interested in making music: an amplifier is an amplifier, the principles of many electronic components remain the same whether it is part of a synthesizer or a scientific instrument.
Folks interested in exploring new things: with no required prerequisites, come learn about electronics as they relate to each other as parts of larger systems.

4/1/24-6/15/24
Lecture: CH 424/524 TR 12-12:50pm
Lab: CH 425/525 TR 9-1150am
Instructor: Dean Atkinson, atkinsdb@pdx.edu

Scientific Glassblowing, Spring 2024

Learn, practice, and develop glassblowing skills through a series of hands on experiences in a small group setting. The course only meets for 1 hour a week on Fridays. Student then have access to the lab during open hours (M-F, 8am-5pm + some evenings) to practice and hone skills as they work towards creating a final project. Two sections are available. Though the course is called Scientific Glassblowing, the skills introduced are introductory level and can be applied to many areas outside of strict science; the course is perfect for art students looking to try glassblowing. A few demonstration artists will join the course this year. Prior visiting artists include local Indigenous artist Lea Littleleaf (@indigenousglass on instagram), and many more!

This course uses Pyrex (hard/borosilicate/scientific) glass, which is very different process than soft glass work; those experienced with soft glass may enjoy this alternative glasswork process.

4/1/24-6/15/24
1 credit course
Option 1: CH 410/510 F 12-1pm
Option 2: CH 410/510 F 2-3pm
Instructor: Dave Reingold, reingold@pdx.edu