Department Interviews - 1996

Interview:  Ken Coskran, Cynthia Coleman, Jack Reynolds, Maria Hepel, Nick Zevos 
            Bruce Campbell - Chemistry
     Date:  4/10/96

Interviewer:  Bob Jewett


1. Do you have plans for special initiatives and/or projects for the 96-97 
   school year that involve technology?  -- for your students, your 
   faculty, your department?

   a. Faculty computers need to be upgraded.  Many of the chemistry textbooks
      now come with CDs for the instructors.  Most chemistry faculty have 
      neither CD-ROM drives, nor adequate memory and color displays to use them.
      If faculty are expected to "do more with fewer people", they will need
      to rely more upon their technology resources to do so.
 
      The department will send their list of faculty needs to the dean.

   b. Faculty are interested in learning more about how to use technology for
      course assignments and homework for students.
    
   c. Need to finalize the plans for the Stowell 211 instructor's "bunker".
      There is a question about whether this should be fixed installation or 
      whether the "bunker" should be movable.  The department will coordinate
      with Jack Morgan and the Biology department on this.

   d. Ken Coskran would like to investiage the possiblities of incorporating the 
      the special molecular modelling software he is using into the chemistry 
      curriculum.  The software is approximately $2,500-3,000/copy).



2. Student Computing Access Program (SCAP) proposals:

   a. Student computers in the Chemistry labs/student center need CD-ROM
      capability.  The SE30s in these areas should be replaced with PowerMacs
      capable of supporting color and CD-ROMs.

   b. Maria Hepel needs interactive software for the computers in the 
      Instrumental Analysis laboratories. (see information below)

   c. Replace all (4) 286-level computers with Pentium computers with
      CD-ROM drives.



3. What are your most important concerns and priorities for the 96-97 
   school year?  -- for your students, your faculty, your department?

   a. Faculty computer upgrades (see 1a above).

   b. Replace student computers (older Macintoshes and Zenith computers).

   c. Upgrade all student-based software, including the purchase of interactive
      software for the Instrumental Analysis Laboratories.


4. How can we improve our services and support to meet your needs? 

   a. No particular concerns over moving the Levitt Center or the Kellas
      Computer Classroom except concern over scheduling conflicts with the
      Library staff if they use the facility for library instruction.

   b. Would like to have someone from our area periodically visit the department
      to address any questions or problems they may have that are not of an
      urgent nature.

   c. The department understands the level of demand for DC/TM services and 
      support and will express their concern for the need for adequate support 
      (hiring staff if that is necessary), to the dean.


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Software for Instrumental Analysis labs:

1.  Vendor: 1-800-522-4440 (Analytical Chemistry Training Software for Windows)

    a. HPLC SoftBook  #PCE-001                  $395
    b. GC SoftBook    #PCE-005                  $395
    c. Atomic Absorption Spectra   #PCE-010     $395
    d. Inductively Coupled Plasma  #PCE-015     $395


2.  MicroCal Origin    tel. 413-586-2013

3.  E-Z Stat  (1 copy $95)  Vendor: Trinity Software, tel.1-800-352-1282