NORTH EAST, MD — Cecil College has taken a major step in elevating its science and technology programs with the installation of a new Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer, giving students early access to one of the most powerful analytical tools used in modern chemistry and research.
The new instrument, installed in the college’s chemistry laboratory, replaces an older NMR spectrometer that had been in service for more than a decade and significantly expands hands-on learning opportunities across Cecil’s STEM curriculum. College officials said the upgrade reflects a broader push to align classroom instruction with industry and research standards.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy is widely regarded as a cornerstone technique in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, forensic science, environmental analysis, and materials research. By analyzing how atomic nuclei respond to strong magnetic fields and radio-frequency energy, the instrument allows scientists to determine the structure and composition of molecules with precision. Each resulting spectrum reveals how atoms are connected, providing critical confirmation of chemical identity and purity.
Cecil College’s new system is a modern Nanalysis 60Teach benchtop spectrometer, a compact 60 MHz unit designed specifically for teaching. Unlike large research-only systems often reserved for graduate students, the benchtop NMR uses a permanent magnet and intuitive software that allows students to begin working with advanced instrumentation early in their academic careers.
Professor of Chemistry Dr. Ebony Roper said that level of access is uncommon, particularly at the community college level. She noted that even many four-year institutions limit NMR training to upper-level or graduate research students, while Cecil introduces the technology in its first chemistry course. By the time students reach advanced organic chemistry, she said, they are not only operating the instrument but interpreting complex spectral data — a skillset highly valued by employers and research laboratories.
The spectrometer is already being integrated into Organic Chemistry I and II courses, where students use it to identify unknown compounds, verify chemical syntheses, and assess product purity. Common laboratory projects, including aspirin synthesis, biofuel production, and compound identification, rely on NMR analysis to confirm experimental success.
For students, the training has immediate real-world value. Cecil College alum Logan Szewczyk, who completed an internship at Aberdeen Proving Ground, said his exposure to advanced chemistry techniques translated directly into applied scientific work, even in biology-focused research settings. He said the ability to read and understand NMR spectra provided confidence and credibility in professional environments.
The benefits extend beyond chemistry majors. The NMR system supports coursework and skill development in biochemistry, microbiology, environmental science, forensic science, bioproduction, and materials analysis. While not used directly in clinical testing, the analytical thinking and instrumentation skills developed through NMR mirror those required in medical laboratories, toxicology, quality control, and forensic investigations.
Science and Engineering Lab Coordinator Kayla Ross said the goal is workforce readiness as much as academic enrichment, emphasizing that students are training on the same type of equipment they will encounter in professional laboratories. Being able to list NMR proficiency on a résumé, she said, gives graduates a tangible advantage.
College leaders described the acquisition as an investment in long-term student success and regional STEM education. By pairing the benchtop NMR with higher-field instrumentation, Cecil College has created a comprehensive training environment that bridges teaching and research — an approach more commonly found at larger universities.
As Cecil College continues to expand its chemistry and biochemistry pathways, officials said the new NMR spectrometer will remain central to hands-on learning, discovery, and preparation for advanced study and scientific careers.
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