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Chem 111: A General Education Course in Organic Structure Determination

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Stuart C. Clough , René P. F. Kanters and Emma W. Goldman

Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173

J. Chem. Educ., 2004, 81 (6), p 834

DOI: 10.1021/ed081p834

Publication Date (Web): June 1, 2004

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

A course in organic structure determination has proven to be effective in addressing the general education science requirement for liberal arts and business majors who have only a basic high school chemistry background. A functional background in bonding and structure is quickly established, and then students are taught basic principles of the common instrumental methods of analysis (IR, NMR, UV–vis, mass spectrometry, liquid and gas chromatography), which they apply in the laboratory to determine structures of reasonably complex small molecules. The course is narrow in scope yet concepts are taught in depth. Problem solving in the laboratory and teamwork are emphasized. Relevance to chemistry in the world is a key component. The result for the students is a good understanding of the nature of matter, the doing of science, and the confidence that comes from successfully solving challenging problems.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Organic Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Nonmajor Courses

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