Building General Chemistry Skills

University Of Iowa, Iowa City IA

Investigators

Abstract

Chemistry (12) This project is undertaking systematic redesign of the introductory chemistry courses beginning with the general chemistry sequence. The approximately 2000 students targeted per calendar year represent a broad cross- section of the entering class and include new students to the College of Engineering, preprofessional students who expect to continue studies in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, and science education, and majors in the College of Liberal Arts. The redesign makes use of active learning pedagogies and other approaches which address the students' different learning styles. The two critical components of the overall curricular redesign are: (1) a mathematics and calculator skills tutorial that is web- based and (2) a chemistry knowledge assessment designed to be taken at both the beginning and end of the first semester course in order to measure the efficacy of student learning from the course changes. The remainder of the redesign elements makes extensive use of materials and pedagogy adapted from several NSF Systemic Initiatives in Chemistry.