Product Description

Provides a strong background in those chemical principles that are particularly important to analytical chemistry and develop an appreciation for the difficult task of judging the accuracy and precision of experimental data. Demonstrates how these judgements can be sharpened by application of statistical methods. DLC: Chemistry, Analytic--Quantitative.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43982 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 880 pages

About the Author
Douglas A. Skoog earned a B.S. in chemistry from Oregon State University and received his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Illinois. The lead author of several best-selling texts, Dr. Skoog is the 1999 recipient of the American Chemical Society award in analytical chemistry, sponsored by the Fisher Scientific Company. That same year, he was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 1993, he received the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Award for Excellence in Teaching. He is Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Stanford University.

Donald M. West is Professor Emeritus from San Jose State University.

F. James Holler is a Professor of Chemistry and recipient of the Alumni Association Great Teacher Award at the University of Kentucky. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. In addition to his role as co-author of several best-selling texts, he is co-creator of the world-famous Periodic Table of Comic Books.

Stanley R. Crouch is Professor Emeritus at Michigan State University. He received his undergraduate and M.S. degrees from Stanford University and his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Illinois. He is the recipient of the 2001 American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry Award in Chemical Instrumentation and the 1996 ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Customer Reviews

A Worthy Alternative to Skoog and West's Fundamentals of...
This text is a worthy contender to the classic "Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry' by Skoog and West. I feel it is easier to read, and the examples given in the inserts should provide students with a "real world" need for the topics covered. The coverage is very similar to Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry. The example problems and homework problems are illustrative and challanging. The experiments presented in the final chapters are well documented. My only observations for improvement would be the use of more detailed analysis of some of the insert examples. For example, a battery technology that is discussed in a step by step fashion in terms of equilibria, balancing redox equations, and problem solving. Also, a modernization of laboratory experiments to include topics in biochemistry, food and environmental science would be helpful in any future editon.

Good text for intro, general analytical course(s)
We use this text (now in its 7th edition) for both our Analytical I (chemical analysis) and Analytical II (instrumental analysis) courses. They are both 1-semester courses at the sophomore year, and this text is just the correct level and length to cover both courses. There are a number of broad sections, each of which is divided into several chapters. Roughly the 1st half covers chemical methods and the second half covers the instrumental methods. There are also a few chapters devoted to statistical analysis.

The sections are reasonably independent and can be done in pretty much any order, giving a great degree of flexibility. The text itself is easy to read with numerous descriptive diagrams. I say this for second-year level courses - the text is too superficial for higher levels. There is a good mix of descriptive chemistry to give the student a feel for the chemistry behind the analyses. Finally, there are adequate exercises at the end of the chapters, some of which are cumulative with previous sections. There is also a very handy tutorial on the use of Microsoft's Excel for use in a course like this, including some specific exercises in using the spreadsheet. I find it very helpful, and not at all exclusive for those using Excel since Quatro-Pro (and Lotus?) is very similar and contains help files that translate from Excel parlance.

My biggest issue is lack of a section on mass spectroscopy. Skoog's own "Instrumental Analysis" text has a fine section on mass spec, but this text contains virtually no mention of the technique, in spite of the fact that it is an increasingly important technique for both quantitative and qualitative trace analysis. However, that's the only real negative point - this text is very good and useful for 2nd year level analytical courses. (P.S. students find it straightforward and clear as well.)

A Dismal excuse for a book
Not impressed. I am a Chem major in my Senior year and I can say with certainty that this book is worthless. The examples are poor, and the problems at the end of each chapter require knowledge not covered within said chapter. I'm not sure what book is better, i'm already out too much money for this one and not wasting more on another one!