Principles of Chemical Structure
Laboratory (CHEM 1811) was designed with a number of learning
objectives in mind. Some focus on tangible knowledge and skills while
others are more abstract and long-term. All learning activities in the
course rely and/or build upon one or more of these objectives. After looking
them over, I encourage you to reflect on how these learning objectives
coincide or differ from your personal goals for the course.
Overriding Objective: As a result of this course, I will better understand how to think like a scientist. More specifically:
Why should
I care about this course?
I will…
1. begin to recognize
the possibilities of chemistry in my field of study
2.
see the role of chemistry in other scientific disciplines (e.g. biology,
physics, engineering,
psychology, medicine,
environmental science, etc.)
3. be able to identify
chemistry and chemical processes in my everyday private and public life
4. see the value of
a well thought-out and executed experiment
5. see the importance
of solving a difficult problem in a systematic and precise manner
6. recognize that I
have the ability to generate, evaluate, and critically analyze scientific
data
What knowledge
should I attain from this course?
I will…
1.
understand and remember the key aspects of the scientific method of discovery
2. understand the motivation
and methodology of scientific writing
3. know that chemical
properties can be predicted and measured in a laboratory
4. know the basic premises
behind some of the experimental methods used to help
determine
chemical structure and reactivity (theory, IR, NMR, UV/Vis)
What skills
should I garner from this course?
I will…
1. be familiar with
common experimental laboratory techniques
[skill]
2. be
able to construct, optimize and investigate properties of molecules computationally
[skill]
3. be able to write
aspects of a research-quality paper [skill]
4. begin to be able
to identify chemical problems which can be addressed in a laboratory
setting (computationally
or experimentally) [analytical thinking]
5. be able to look
critically at my and other's experimental work (i.e. recognize "good"
science) [critical
thinking]
How will
this course help me be a better learner?
I will…
1.
know how the scientific method works and will be able to apply it to a
host of problems
2. be able to explore
the current scientific literature without intimidation
3. better understand
my strengths and weaknesses in scientific inquiry
4. understand the value
of other people's skills and learn to make best use of them