Writing within the subject area of chemistry is well established as an important way for students to hone communication skills, which educators as well as industry professionals see as key to success in the workplace. To enhance our students’ professional training, we have developed a professional quote format in collaboration with local industry, which is employed as the vehicle for experimental proposals in our first semester biochemistry laboratory. This laboratory is conducted in a cooperative learning guided-inquiry format where students work in teams and design their own protocols. After initial training in basic techniques, teams complete a two-part, multi-week project to purify and characterize the enzyme tyrosinase. Moreover, as part of the latter sub-project that focuses on kinetic characterization of the enzyme, teams examine the effects of various thiosemicarbazone compounds on enzyme activity. These compounds were produced in the organic chemistry laboratory the previous year; for some compounds tested, the inhibitory characteristics have not been published, providing students with a taste of an original research experience. This talk will discuss implementation of the professional quote format, student experiences, conceptual barriers, and project results.<br/>

Introduction of the professional quote format and compound screening to project-based experiments in the biochemistry laboratory<br />

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.