Instrumental experiments using simple mass spectrometers have been proposed for second-year undergraduate students in Medicinal Chem. and Drug Design.The exptl. goals were to develop students' skills in mass spectrometer operation, e.g., by varying ion source and analyzer parameters, in mass spectra interpretation, e.g., recognition of charge separation reaction, isomer differentiation, as well as to expand their knowledge in the field of gas-phase ion chem., e.g., retro-Diels-Alder reaction, ortho-effect.A number of drugs, namely, pancuronium, amikacin, salvarsan, ephedra alkaloids, aspirin, have been analyzed by the students by using various mass spectrometric techniques.The activities included direct inlet/infusion-mass spectrometry (DI-MS) as well as gas chromatog.-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high pressure liquid chromatog.-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) experimentsThe experiments may be a good solution when access to more advanced instruments is problematic.