Why attend?

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Course Content and Material
This course is focused on the interpretation of infrared and Raman spectra for direct application to real problems. The course is continually updated to meet the demands of the industry and government. Suggestions of new topics or emphasis from course participants are taken very seriously and those suggestions help shape new course material.

A complete set of notes that includes many example spectra is provided to every participant. The notes follow the lectures so that participants may annotate the notes easily. The latest audio-visual technologies are used in the lectures so that participants can readily follow the material.

Significant time is devoted to workshops where the staff interact with participants on a one-to-one basis. Spectral interpretation workshops involve groups of three or four participants and all participants are strongly encouraged by the staff to contribute to the workshop exercises.


Instructional Staff
The instructional staff is the most accomplished and experienced staff of any course on infrared or vibrational spectroscopy. All five staff members have many years experience in the interpretation of vibrational spectra as well as many years of practical experience with the technology. Every member of the instructional staff is an accomplished lecturer and most of the staff have won teaching and research awards. Regardless, none of the staff rests upon past accomplishments; every lecture is critiqued by the other instructors who provide strong feedback.

Instructors must be invited to lecture in the Bowdoin Infrared and Raman Courses. The selection process is based on the international reputation of the lecturer, proven competence in the field of vibrational spectroscopy, and presentation skills. Every staff member considers the course a duty to the infrared and Raman communities and strives to present the most clear and informative lectures possible.


Why Interpret when Spectral Libraries Exist?
Certainly it is a straightforward exercise to identify a spectrum with the use of a spectral searching program. Nonetheless, there are several assumptions made when a spectral search is undertaken. First, it is assumed that the compound being measured is actually in the spectral database. Considering there are many million compounds known at this time, and that spectral collections rarely exceed 100,000 entries, it is reasonable to assume that many compounds are missing. Second, the veracity of the database is difficult to establish. Although the majority of entries in all databases are correct, it is prohibitively expensive to verify every spectrum (by interpretation) to be sure the compound is pure or is indeed the compound as stated in the database. Lastly, spectral searching has some problems with spectra of mixtures.

Fundamentally, the analyst must determine the identity of the sample from the spectrum and total reliance on computer interpretation can be fraught with problems. Overall it should be remembered that spectral similarity does not necessarily equal structural similarity, so the answer provided by a search system for a spectrum not in the database may not be close to the true identity of the sample.


Is the Course Really Valuable?
Of course the answer to this question is subjective and is best answered by the scientist and his or her employer. Based on on-going correspondence from previous participants, the answer seems to be an overwhelming "Yes". Regardless, the true value of the course has to be measured in terms of cost to a project. What does it cost if incorrect answers are reported? What does it cost if time has to be spent searching for answers if the scientist does not have the training? These costs can be measured in ruined or out-of-specification product and waste of employee time. In comparison the cost of the Bowdoin Infrared and Raman Courses is quite small.

The cost of a one-week Bowdoin Infrared Course with single-occupancy on-campus accommodation and all meals (which includes the Lobster Bake) is $1800. This can be compared to single-day, single-instructor courses that cost more than one-third this sum. Even at that rate lodging, meals, and workshops are not included. All-in-all we believe these courses to be the best courses offered anywhere, and they are offered at a very reasonable price.


What do Past Participants Have to Say?

	"Thoroughly enjoyed the week 1 Bowdoin IR/Raman course this year. The IR aspects of this course are world class, being taught by an incredible, world class collection of instructors from academia and industry. Beyond the specifics of characteristic frequencies, inductive effects, etc, from this course, one learns how to exercise judgement during spectral interpretation."
	Monte Douglas, Ph.D., Distinguished Member Technical Staff ToF-SIMS Laboratory Manager, Raman Laboratory Manager, Kilby Analysis Laboratories
	"I found the class very informative. The material was well received (and digested). My background in IR is not as strong as many of the other students. This class complemented the IR instruction that I have learned in college and at work. Overall, I found that this class has greatly increased my understanding of IR interpretation. The teaching staff is top notch and professional. Thanks for everything"
	Steven T. Linehan, Forensic Chemist ATF Forensic Science Laboratory, Atlanta
	"I found the Infrared Spectroscopy (I) course at Bowdoin College to meet and exceed my expectations from a technical and environmental perspective. I have never had formal instruction in IR spectral interpretation other than the requisite organic and P-chem labs from undergraduate years. This intensive and comprehensive one week course has rapidly provided me the tools to more confidently perform additional technical duties for which I had no prior experience, but find myself with no local support and critical short-term needs. The teaching staff is quite knowledgeable and teaches in a style well-suited for a class of (mostly) experienced scientists. The facilities are really of high quality, with up-to-date technology."
	Steven B. Dorn, PhD GE Silicones Analytical Technology
	"The course was beneficial to my work. Often, unknown materials are presented for analysis. Now, after having been to Bowdoin, the information that is passed back to the engineers is more than an "I don't know"! In that regard, I feel the course helped me tremendously in doing this job. Another benefit was to meet people such as yourself [written to Peter Griffiths] and Drs. de Haseth, Miller, Mayo and Hannah, as well as those out in the field performing this type of analysis. Some of the folks I met last year still keep in contact via e-mail. The same holds true for a few this year. Keep up the good work - it's intense, but definitely worth the time invested in the course! And, of course, you can't beat the lobster bake dinner or Maine in the summertime!!!!"
	Mary Trueblood, Materials Analyst Delphi Corporation, Anderson, IN
	"This was the last of the three courses for me and I thought all three were well presented. I believe the first course is probably the most beneficial for someone that is operating an instrument. It makes interpretation a lot easier. Even if you use a library for most of the interpretation, the understanding of the areas of the spectra and what they represent will give you enough knowledge to know if the library's match is correct. Or at least enough to know when the library is wrong. The instructors are what make the courses work. They are professionals who have spent many years in their field, who are willing to share their knowledge. They are willing to spent a few weeks a year teaching the basic to the inexperienced. It is the basics that give individuals the confidence to accept or reject library matches. I know the instructors may get expenses but beyond that it can't be much for all the time they put in to make the course work. If I learned nothing else, I learned that interpretation of spectra is a science all in itself. When you have two or three experts who argue about what can be assumed about a simple spectrum, you know it is not easy. I guess that would be the one thing that should be stressed in the first course. That interpretation takes time and patience and not to get discouraged if it does not come easy. I think frustration is the word that seem to prevail in a lot of the lab exercises. I believe if people realize it is not unusual but the norm to feel frustrated, it would be easier for the neophytes in the field. I guess the comment by one instructor that made me realize how difficult it could be was, 'You only use enough of the peaks to get the answer.' The science is knowing what information to use and what to ignore. It is also easier when you know the answer. Keep up the good work, and Thanks"
	Patrick J. Schielke Solvay Advanced Polymers L.L.C.