Our chemistry department is an urban 4-year baccalaureate institution with 200-300 majors and more than 1300 students enrolled in chemistry courses from the STEM departments. We recently added an advanced spectroscopy course, which focused on identifying organic molecules based on interpretation of spectra such as NMR (proton, carbon, fluorine, phosphorus, 1D, 2D, DEPT, COSY, etc.), FTIR, and mass spectrometry. The main goals for this three-credit course included learning how to interpret multiple data acquisitions, plan for needed analytical proof of organic concepts, revisit organic reactions and proposed mechanisms with an analytical interpretation, and prepare for post-baccalaureate activities. The course had a cap of 15 students and a pre-requisite of first semester organic lecture and laboratory. The assessments were 100% weekly oral examinations. In addition to presenting an interpretation of a randomly assigned set of data each week, the students were required to engage with the presenter and offer alternate interpretations when needed. Omnibus offerings took place in the fall semesters of 2018, 2019, and 2020. Successes of this type of course (which has a senior experience flavor) will be discussed in this talk. This study includes the 2020 fall course, which had some surprising outcomes from needed changes due to virtual teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How an advanced undergraduate spectroscopy course created opportunities for enhancing soft skills

ACS Spring 2022

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