Molecular Architecture: A writing-intensive, non-majors' course focusing on molecular structure and spectroscopy

CHED 151

Perry S. Corbin, Department of Chemistry, Ashland University, 401 College Avenue, Ashland, OH 44805
The Department of Chemistry at Ashland University is strongly committed to offering non-major's courses which are focused in regards to content and that are “seminar-based”. These courses rely minimally on lecture and promote active learning both in the classroom and laboratory. A description of a recently developed non-major's chemistry course, Molecular Architecture, will be presented. The course focuses on the development of scientific-thinking skills and has three major themes: isomerism in organic molecules, including an extended investigation of chirality; the spectroscopic characterization of organic molecules; and the structure and properties of synthetic polymers and proteins. The aforementioned themes are somewhat unique for a course offered to students with non-science-related majors. Classroom sessions include discussion and/or a brief lecture by the instructor, followed by cooperative work involving problem-solving, laboratory activities, and computer modeling. Student progress is assessed through extensive writing assignments, in-class work, and oral presentations rather than through exams.

 

General Posters
7:30 PM-9:30 PM, Sunday, March 25, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007