Investigating the optical properties of various chemical compounds using UV-vis spectrophotometers is an essential part of education in chemistry. However, commercial spectrophotometers are usually treated as "magic black boxes", where the dominant majority of optical elements are hidden "under the hood". This often limits…

The use of electron orbitals in quantum theory and chemistry is discussed. Common misconceptions are highlighted. Suggestions are made how chemistry educators may describe orbitals in the first and second year college curriculum more accurately without introducing unwanted technicalities. A comparison is made of different ways of graphically…

Organic chemistry is often considered to be a difficult subject to teach and to learn, particularly as students prefer to resort to memorization alone rather than reasoning using models from chemical reactivity. Existing studies have led us to suggest principles for redefining the curriculum, ranging from its overall structure to the tasks given…

The analysis of the undergraduate chemistry curriculum is presented. A new structure is proposed which helps the chemistry departments and students.

The U.S. federal policymakers are implementing the policies to enhance the science and technology enterprise by which they are planning to attract and retain more students into science and engineering degrees.

Suggests a reorientation of view for the B.S. in chemistry that recognizes the relevancy of chemistry to potential careers in the industrial community and to the impact of science on our evolving society. Rather than a new layer of courses, attention must be focused on the educational content of each course as it relates to the totality of…

Describes the design of a new laboratory course that calls for experiments to be grouped in clusters. Each cluster has a unifying theme which gives coherence to the experiments. Other important guidelines in design were the use of computers, introduction of microscale chemistry, and use of instrumentation. Cluster examples include Carbon Is Number…

Describes a recent experimental class format entitled Chemistry and the Human Environment, which was designed as an interesting yet comprehensive chemistry course for nonscience students. Topics illustrate chemical underpinnings of social problems of interest to students. Concludes that course content must change with time to remain effective and…

Discusses whether Sangamon State University, a new university committed to involvement in Public Affairs issues of today, should provide facilities and instruments for basic science research. Conclusions recommend such research and maintain that science be authentic, critical, interdisciplinary and effectively related to the needs of students and…

Argues that acceptance then management of collective knowledge is increasingly important and that individual understanding and views toward the world are less valued. Considers the implications of this perspective for chemistry instruction. (DDR)

Points out the need for demographic information about the substance of chemistry instruction at two-year colleges, and reports the results of a study in which data related to faculty and curriculum was analyzed. (DDR)

Green chemistry, the design of chemical products and processes to eliminate hazards to human health and the environment, provides unique opportunities for innovation in the chemistry curriculum for engaging a broad spectrum of students in the study of chemistry. The green chemistry community is expanding efforts to develop educational materials…

The weak noncovalent interactions between substances, the handshake in the form of electrostatic interactions, van der Waals' interactions or hydrogen bonding is universal to all living and nonliving matter. They significantly influence the molecular and bulk properties and behavior of matter. Their transient nature affects chemical reactions and…

Argues that patterns of student flow between two- and four-year institutions are not linear and that the permutations of student situations affect the datasets that are used to both defend and question the effectiveness and transferability of two-year programs. (DDR)

Reports the status of peer-led learning, also known as Workshop Chemistry. This National Science Foundation (NSF) systemic-reform initiative focuses on general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. (DDR)