With an increased focus on integrated upper-level laboratories, we present an experiment integrating concepts from inorganic, biological, and physical chemistry content areas. Students investigate the effects of ligand strength on the spectroscopic properties of the heme center in myoglobin using UV-vis, [superscript 1]H NMR, and EPR spectroscopies. This upper-level undergraduate laboratory is set in the context of understanding why meat is packaged under an atmosphere of CO and can be completed in two 3-4 h laboratory periods. (Contains 1 figure.)