Modules for Introducing Macromolecular Chemistry in Foundation Courses

Schaller, Chris P.; Graham, Kate J.; Jakubowski, Henry V.; Johnson, Brian J.

doi:10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00798

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…degree in chemistry. 13 The topic of polymer chemistry is broad and related to many traditional subchemistry branches, such as the structure−property relationship in general chemistry, 14 polycondensation, ring-opening and radical chain polymerization in organic chemistry, 15 siloxane polymers in inorganic chemistry, 16 and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of polymer samples in analytical chemistry. 17 Though the synthesis of polymers and their property characterization are covered to some extent in the undergraduate chemistry curricula, intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs), which constitute a unique class of polymers that has now seen their applications extend into electronic, optical, and magnetic fields, have received relatively little attention.…”

Section: Experimental Learning Goalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revamping a Classic Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Experiment to Improve Student Understanding of Chemical Analysis, Method Development, Validation, and Statistics

Sebastian

Zeng

2021

J. Chem. Educ.

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We have revamped a classic analytical chemistry laboratory experiment, "Determination of an Unknown Acid", to provide students an opportunity to learn about new advances in the material sciences and their applications in analytical chemistry in an effort to reinforce the key concepts of chemical analysis. Specifically, students were given the opportunity to develop their own low-cost, low-maintenance, ease-of-use, multidimensional pH sensor with intrinsically conducting polyaniline material. The students tested their polyaniline pH sensor against the traditional glass pH electrode to determine an unknown acid concentration and performed statistical tests to validate the analytical capabilities of their electrochemical polyaniline pH sensor. Thus, the revamped laboratory experiment allows for the reinforcement of several fundamental analytical chemistry lecture concepts, including chemical analysis, method development, validation, and statistical practice utilizing a more cohesive hands-on laboratory learning approach. Furthermore, this revamped lab gives students the opportunity to evaluate and compare the analytical performance of the polyaniline pH sensor, such as its sensor lifetime against the glass pH electrode, and learn polyaniline's electrochromic properties. This laboratory experiment can be easily disseminated to advance the objective of analytical curriculum, provide students an opportunity for multidimensional learning and well-connected critical thinking in analytical chemistry, and stimulate students' creativity in developing next generation analytical sensor technology.

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Section: Experimental Learning Goalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revamping a Classic Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Experiment to Improve Student Understanding of Chemical Analysis, Method Development, Validation, and Statistics

Sebastian

Zeng

2021

J. Chem. Educ.

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“…Both parts are covered in this course to keep students excited for what "cool" applications were to come. If an instructor is interested in tying some aspects of this course into an organic chemistry course some parallels can be made (Goh, 2013;Schaller, 2017). As an example condensation reactions are discussed in great detail in organic chemistry courses.…”

Section: Course Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polymers Course for Small Colleges and Universities

Furgal

2018

Journal of College Science Teaching

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This article describes the course design and teaching methodology for a polymer chemistry and applications lecture class specifically aimed at small college and university instruction. This intermediate course for advanced undergraduates and masters level graduate students focuses on teaching the basics of polymer history, synthesis and characterization with connections to the core chemistry curriculum in a small class size environment and without a textbook. Furthermore, an extensive overview of the applications of polymeric materials gives students a connection to real life applications. The course includes polymer case studies, informational lessons on real world objects made of polymers, and demonstrations. Student presentations on how polymers are important to society help connect the course to the world around them. The course is designed to instill the knowledge necessary for students to be successful in a career in polymers. A brief discussion of course reflections and student input is also given.

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“…ATRP is a powerful tool for the synthesis of polymers with well-defined molecular structures and functionalities. − The abundant applications have made this technique widely accepted as part of the polymer chemistry curricula in undergraduate education . It can be challenging to help students understand the detailed kinetics of ATRP through inductive reasoning, e.g., what to expect when the reaction condition is changed and why.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

ATRP Kinetic Simulator: An Online Open Resource Educational Tool Using Jupyter Notebook and Google Colaboratory

Wang

et al. 2023

J. Chem. Educ.

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This study reported the application of an interactive Open Education Resource, namely, an open virtual experiment simulator education tool (OVESET), in teaching the kinetics of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in a polymer science classroom. The OVESET ATRP kinetic simulator aims at improving students' inductive reasoning skills. Students were encouraged to perform virtual experiments to systematically examine the influence of each parameter, e.g., type of polymerization and concentrations of reagents, and to observe and make logical explanations of the general trends behind each series of experiments. The tool was designed to maximize accessibility and flexibility through open licensing. The simulator runs under the Jupyter Notebook environment, which is free to use, modify, and redistribute; therefore, instructors can adapt the simulator based on their teaching contexts. The simulator can be applied in a classroom setting without requiring any software installation and can be used across different operating systems. Assessment of the implementation demonstrated that students' learning outcomes and STEM and polymer science identity were improved. Students also rated the tool as useful in increasing their understanding and inductive reasoning. The quick and in-place response of the notebook makes it ideal for both in-class demonstrations and after-class practices. The tool is freely available at https://bit.ly/ATRP-Simulator.

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Modules for Introducing Macromolecular Chemistry in Foundation Courses

Cited by 6 publications

References 30 publications

Revamping a Classic Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Experiment to Improve Student Understanding of Chemical Analysis, Method Development, Validation, and Statistics

Revamping a Classic Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Experiment to Improve Student Understanding of Chemical Analysis, Method Development, Validation, and Statistics

Polymers Course for Small Colleges and Universities

ATRP Kinetic Simulator: An Online Open Resource Educational Tool Using Jupyter Notebook and Google Colaboratory

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