Chemistry Education at the University of Iowa

Chemistry Education

at the University of Iowa

In the fall of 2000, the American Chemical Society declared that "…Scholarship in the chemical sciences… includes the integration, application, and teaching of chemical… principles and practices… and requires originality, creativity, a thorough grounding in previous accomplishments of other scholars, and effective communication of new contributions in peer-reviewed publications."

The area of chemical education involves the application of learning theories in college-level teaching and student learning. Scholarship and research can involve faculty and graduate students in several ways:

Further advancing a theory, particularly with applications in chemistry. The focus of the research is better understand the theory---what makes it work, how to apply it, how to measure whether it is successful.
Applying pedagogy or best practices: using some effective method to promote learning in chemistry courses. The scholarship or research generally involves collecting evidence that the students performed better or that the change improved their motivation or attitude.
Creating learning materials that support successful pedagogies: the scholarship might involve a new curriculum in which guided inquiry laboratories replace cookbook ones; computer-based simulations or activities that promote conceptual understanding
Preparing graduate students and new faculty for careers in teaching: writing book chapters or monographs that explain learning theories and provide practical examples in the context of chemistry; design and implement orientation classes for TAs that implement successful pedagogies

Chemistry Education Issues at Iowa
Research: Research in chem ed applies the scientific method to teaching and learning. An 'experiment' involves a single variable, control experiments, and statistically significant data. It often includes the assessment and evaluation of participant behaviors and attitudes. Prof. Norb Pienta conducts research in chemistry education.		Chem Ed Research at Iowa Prof. Norb Pienta
Introductory Courses: Instructors in introductory courses introduce innovations that seek to inspire or motivate students or to deal with content delivery and assessment. In addition, a systematic redesign of the general chemistry sequence has recently been completed.		Innovations in General Chemistry
Courses for Non-Science Majors: Students in various colleges take chemistry courses to fulfill a general education science requirement, including experience in the laboratory. Some special needs and opportunities arise from this group of students.		Chemistry for Non-Science Majors
Graduate Student Education: Graduate students are involved as teaching assistants with roles in discussion sections, laboratories, and in the assessment of reports, homework, and exams. Some grad student also choose a career in academia and need preparation for the teaching portion of that career.		Preparing Grad Students for Teaching Chem Ed Graduate Study at Iowa
Chemistry at Iowa: Graduate studies in Chemistry at the University of Iowa provides research opportunities in state-of-the-art programs in traditional areas of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical and interdisciplinary areas like environmental, biological, materials, synthesis and others.		Graduate Program at Iowa Chemical Education Grad Program

Related Links
American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Education		ACS CHED
Chem Ed Research ACS Division of Chemical Education, Chemistry Education Research Committee		CHED Research

Last Updated October 4, 2004