The physical chemistry laboratory at Washington & Jefferson College consists of a semester-long independent project modeled on experiments published in the Journal of Chemical Education (JCE).  Each student is assigned a unique topic based on a JCE article whose results they attempt to duplicate and extend in a novel direction.  The JCE article describes concepts and procedures accessible to these upper-level students and provides guidance for data analysis and interpretation.  Students are responsible for finding and preparing their own materials and learning to assemble and use necessary equipment.  Safety is emphasized as students must summarize hazards associated with their projects.  While the instructor is available for questions, students must often rely on their own judgment or consult with peers to make timely progress.  As such, this approach teaches problem solving and team skills.  The projects provide the basis for a scientific paper written according to ACS publication guidelines.  Students draft and revise individual sections of this paper throughout the semester, incorporating the chemical literature when appropriate, and presenting their work in a conference-style seminar.  The course is thus designed to prepare students for independent laboratory work by teaching skills necessary for research experiences in post-graduate study and the workforce.  It provides a convenient avenue by which research can be incorporated into a pre-existing course required of all chemistry majors.  Course design, content, implementation, evaluation, and preliminary assessment are presented.

Developing research and communication skills in a project-based physical chemistry laboratory

2019 Spring National Meeting

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