We offer a one-semester nursing major-specific physiological chemistry lecture and laboratory course that introduces the structure and chemical reactivity of the major organic functional groups important to the study of biological chemistry and that examines the structure and function of the major classes of biomolecules. The laboratory component is intended to complement the material covered in the lecture. Previously, we adopted a laboratory manual from a major publisher that included exercises that were not well-aligned with lecture content and were more involved than were necessary for an introductory chemistry course for nursing majors. In addition, the laboratory manual cost has become prohibitive. Our goal in redesigning the experimental component was three-fold: (1) provide experimental experiences that were more relevant to nursing majors, (2) incorporate experiments that were more appropriate and safer for students with limited laboratory experiences, and (3) offer students a more reasonably priced laboratory manual. As part of the process, faculty members prepared manual content, including background and procedure, pre-laboratory assignments, and report sheets in which they treated data and answered questions about the experiment performed. Our redesigned experimental chemistry includes exercises in which students explore measurement, the differences between molecular and ionic compounds, structure of organic molecules using molecular modeling, basic properties of hydrocarbons, saponification through the preparation of soap, preparation and analysis of sunscreens, dialysis, and glucose monitoring. We share our experience and insights redesigning a major-specific experimental course which may provide direction to others tasked with such a course redesign.

Redesigning an experimental chemistry course for nursing majors

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