Bioinorganic topics are ubiquitous in the inorganic chemistry curriculum; however, experiments to enhance understanding of related topics are scarce. In this proposed laboratory, upper undergraduate students assess the biological interaction of molybdenocene dichloride (Cp2MoCl2) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) by fluorescence spectroscopy.…

This research was focused on investigating the effect of multiple intelligence-based learning as a learning approach towards students' concept mastery and interest in learning matter. The one-group pretest-posttest design was used in this research towards a sample which was according to the suitable situation of the research sample, n = 13…

This guided-inquiry, upper-division undergraduate organic lab experiment, a hybrid of problem-based learning (PBL); process-oriented, guided-inquiry learning (POGIL); and peer-led team learning (PLTL) has been developed to ease the transition from the undergraduate lab to a research lab environment. The characterization of a mixture of camphor and…

This study explores the outcomes of a chemistry MOOC, delivered on two occasions through the FutureLearn platform. Learner background and course feedback, including managing the expectations of potential participants, course facilitation, the importance of having a strong presence on the forums and the tutor having a 'face', is explored. The…

Despite gains in baccalaureate and master's degree attainment, women continue to earn lower shares of doctor of philosophy degrees (PhDs) in many fields, a pattern that is often pronounced in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This article uses comparative case study to understand organizational trajectories toward gender parity…

Ellen Swallow Richards is traditionally cited as the founder of family and consumer sciences (FCS). A chemist, she drew from her root discipline, applying its concepts to the needs of the family and the individual. Much of what she advocated was based on the work of mid-19th century German chemists, particularly Justus von Liebig. Before Richards…

This study explores how graduate students learn to participate in collaborative international science research. As part of an NSF-funded program, 21 graduate students participated in extended research visits to China, completing surveys before and after traveling, and participating in semistructured interviews upon returning to the U.S. These…

An integrated laboratory experiment applying concepts and techniques from organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and instrumental analysis is presented for use in the undergraduate curriculum. This experiment highlights the synthesis, characterization, and use of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPMA) to make complexes with different metal salts. It…

Many types of batteries power an ever-growing number of devices. Electrochemical devices like batteries and fuel cells can, in principle, exceed Carnot efficiency for energy conversion. In this novel laboratory experiment, students explore the partitioning of the enthalpy change of a battery's electrochemical reaction between useful electrical…

A molecule of the month extra credit assignment was introduced to a didactic introductory pharmacology and medicinal chemistry course for first-year pharmacy students. The structure of a clinically approved drug molecule was presented to students each month of the course after the first month. Students would answer questions pertaining to the name…

Recent advances in spectroscopy and computational chemistry facilitate the introduction of current spectroscopic and computational methods at the undergraduate level. Students obtain and analyze experimental and calculated vibrational spectra (infrared and Raman) of a set of alkyne molecules to determine the role of symmetry with respect to gross…

The purpose of this study was to analyze organic chemistry students' annotations of reaction coordinate diagrams to better understand how they sought connections between reactions and reaction coordinate diagrams. Thirty-six students enrolled in Organic Chemistry II participated in semistructured, think-aloud interviews that asked students to…

In the author's large, urban high school, enrollment in a laboratory science is mandatory. While the student participation rate for lab activities is over 98%, the turn-in rate for traditional lab reports averages just 35% to 85%. Those students who don't produce a lab report miss a critical opportunity to improve their skills in scientific…

This issue of "Assessment Update" presents the following articles: (1) Assessment in Postsecondary Chemistry Education: A Comparison of Course Types (Rebecca E. Gibbons, Jessica J. Reed, Shalini Srinivasan, Sachel M. Villafañe, Emily Laga, Joshua Vega, Kristen L. Murphy, and Jeffrey R. Raker); (2) Beyond Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic:…

Green chemistry and sustainability have garnered more awareness in the chemical industry in recent years, but green chemistry classes are still not commonplace for either the undergraduate or graduate student curriculum. Additionally, many departments are seeking avenues to reach greater numbers and types of learners through online courses. To…