An ICP-MS simulation was developed to support the teaching of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The app enables students to conduct the quantification of selenium in a nutritional supplement, monitor the uptake of metallodrugs by cells, and perform qualitative analysis of gunshot residue. The experiments teach a range of analytical…

We present here two accessible ways for enhanced understanding of complex biological structures and their function in undergraduate Biology and Biochemistry classrooms. These methods can be applied for in-class instruction as well as for remote lessons, as they are cheap, easily available and easy to implement. LEGO® bricks and MERGE CUBE based…

Recently, two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures, such as graphene and few-layer MoS[subscript 2], have been applied to wide fields based on their intriguing performances, and they contribute to developments of clean energy, biomedicine, and environmental protection. The synthesis of 2D nanostructures involves chemistry, materials, and…

An integrated inorganic chemistry laboratory experience focusing on heterogeneous electrocatalysis with nickel (Ni)- and cobalt (Co)-based electrocatalysts is designed for upper-division, major-level chemistry students. In this laboratory, students will be guided through the fabrication of an indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass working electrode,…

Over the past half century, computational chemistry has evolved from a niche field to a ubiquitous pillar of modern chemical research. Driven by the increased demand for computational chemistry in research settings, the undergraduate curriculum has evolved alongside to ensure that students are well-equipped for modern research. Toward this end,…

Recently, interest in understanding the prospects of virtual environments, specifically virtual reality laboratories (VR Lab) -- those that involve a first-person practica experience via a desktop computer or head-mounted display -- in science education has increased. Seemingly ingrained in the process of implementing a VR Lab is a supposition of…

Eleven different laboratory experiments were designed and executed throughout a semester to provide a meaningful research experience for 23 undergraduate biochemistry majors at UTSA. The topic of the semester was based on the idea of exploring new aspects to enhance our understanding of how the human body uses cytochrome P450 enzymes to metabolize…

Computational chemistry instructional activities are often based around students running chemical simulations via a graphical user interface (GUI). GUI-based activities offer many advantages, as they enable students to run chemical simulations with a few mouse clicks. Although these activities are excellent for introducing students to the…

In early 2022, the Human Anatomy & Physiology Society (HAPS) Curriculum & Instruction Lab Survey subcommittee launched the third survey of instructors for introductory undergraduate-level courses in human anatomy and physiology. This manuscript presents analyses of questions regarding the laboratory activities and learning outcomes (LOs)…

Given the recent state of social distancing, the online lab experience discussed in this article offers an economical and versatile approach to online undergraduate chemistry lab instruction. With videoconferencing software, this experience is easily adaptable to a socially distanced learning environment, although it was initially designed for a…

Given the importance of self-healing polymers for chemistry education, herein, we introduce our latest research results in self-healing materials based on thioctic acid into undergraduate chemistry laboratory. In this experiment, a natural small molecule, thioctic acid (TA), and a few other commercially-available reagents have been used to make a…

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home order implemented by the New York State Governor, the introductory undergraduate biology courses were changed to an at-home remote learning modality. To provide conceptual learning and hands-on experience, the second semester introductory biology laboratory course utilised a multi-modal learning…

A virtual reality (VR) session was introduced to an advanced inorganic chemistry class, a class available to junior and senior undergraduate students at the University of California, Los Angeles. The VR session helped the students to learn complicated aspects of metal coordination chemistry and molecular orbitals via an immersive three-dimensional…

Understanding metabolic function requires knowledge of the dynamics, interdependence, and regulation of metabolic networks. However, multiple professional societies have recognized that most undergraduate biochemistry students acquire only a surface-level understanding of metabolism. We hypothesized that guiding students through interactive…

Current technology has the capacity for affording a virtual experience that challenges the notion of a teaching laboratory for undergraduate science and engineering students. Though the potential of virtual laboratories (V-Labs) has been extolled and investigated in a number of areas, this research has not been synthesized for the context of…