[mike]

So when did you first learn about H and C nmr, MS and IR as tools to do structure determination? You know the type I mean, where you are given the spectra and are expected to determine a suitable structure. Usually you are given the molecular formula and need to determine the double bond equivalents too.

[Yggdrasil]

I learned the very basics behind molecular spectroscopy during my first general chem class when we did our introduction to quantum (e.g. vibrational states, rotational states, nuclear spin flips etc).  I did some very basic structural determinations (i.e. given an IR is this compound an alcohol, acid, ketone, ester, etc.) in a late first-year/early second-year introductory ochem lab.  But, I learned most of (ochem) structure determination during my second quarter of organic chemistry.  Biological structure determination is for graduate classes though.