As the skills required for the average chemistry student evolves in the fast-paced fields of industry, medicine, and research, it is imperative to implement experiential learning at the general chemistry level to expose students to modern techniques such as computational chemistry. This talk describes the reconfiguration of course objectives to match an “atoms first” approach as well as the implementation of computational modules for structure and bonding, polarity, and hybridization, which were designed in WebMO following the cCWCS Computational Chemistry for Chemistry Educators workshop. Other activities related to this workshop have included atomic and molecular orbital activites for the Advanced Inorganic Chemistry course as well as calculation of thermodynamic parameters for the Physical Chemistry I course. While the introduction of these modules is still within the first few course offerings, a qualitative discussion of this hands-on approach to structure and bonding will be discussed. Additionally, with the inspiration from lessons after attending the cCWCS Case Studies in Undergraduate Chemistry Courses Miniworkshop, a Green Chemistry course was proposed and introduced in our college’s most recent curricular shift, with the bulk of the material taught by case study analysis. The course had a wide variety of student areas of concentration, including physical and inorganic chemistry, biomedical research, sustainability, and environmental science. Each student was responsible for developing and analyzing a case in green chemistry in their area of study or interest. The development of the assessment materials and selected case study materials will be presented, with a discussion of student attitudes toward the pedagogical design.

Curricular cartography with cCWCS:  Remapping course content with computational chemistry and case studies for student success and satisfaction

2019 Spring National Meeting

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