An integrated writing/research component in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum at St. Cloud State University

CHED 471

Jack F. McKenna, jfmckenna@stcloudstate.edu, Daniel D. Gregory, drgregory@stcloudstate.edu, Michael A. Jeannot, mjeannot@stcloudstate.edu, and Mark F. Mechelke, mfmechelke@stcloudstate.edu. Department of Chemistry, St. Cloud State University, 720 4th Avenue S, Wick Science Building 358, St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
In 2000, the chemistry department at SCSU revised its curriculum to require ACS majors to take CHEM 391 Chemical Information, a 1-credit literature searching workshop culminating in a written literature review/research proposal; 2-credits of CHEM 489 Undergraduate Research (1-credit per semester for two semesters); and CHEM 491 Senior Thesis involving a formal seminar presentation to the department of a research or library project as well as a written paper. Normally, students register for CHEM 391 in the spring semester of the junior year, CHEM 489 in the fall and spring semesters of the senior year, and CHEM 491 in the spring semester of the senior year. Completion of CHEM 391 and CHEM 491 satisfies the university's 3-credit upper-division writing requirement. Additionally, completion of the student-faculty collaborative research project (CHEM 489) and the senior thesis oral presentation and written paper provides a senior-year capstone experience. Many universities require one or more of these components. However, SCSU may be unique in requiring all three and integrating them into a senior-level capstone experience. Data and observations from our first three year's experience will be discussed.