Chemistry Day One

Course Overview

• Introduction to course structure and teaching philosophy by Dr. Howitz.

• Focus on activities, Canvas, lecture notes, and participation.

Instructor Background

• Dr. Howitz's credentials and experience:

  • Faculty at University of Minnesota since August 2023.

  • Previous faculty at Georgia Institute of Technology.

  • PhD from University of California, Irvine.

• Will teach CHEM 2311 (lab course) and this course (lecture component).

• Emphasis on teaching responsibilities and chemistry education research.

Collaborative Teaching Approach

• Coordination with Professors Lam and Roberts for consistent grading and assessment strategies.

• Emphasis on teaching style diversity among professors.

• Five TAs available for support, including Lars and Tyler (assigned to Dr. Howitz) and others who can assist across sections.

• Mentoring program participation with mentors aiding in the course.

Teaching Philosophy

• Pattern Recognition:

  • Essential for succeeding in organic chemistry, alongside memorization.

  • Example of memorizing items allowed on a desert island to highlight recognition skills.

• Depth Over Breadth:

  • Focus on fewer topics deeply instead of superficially covering many.

  • Importance of understanding the rationale behind concepts to avoid reliance on memorization.

• Proficiency Over Perfection:

  • Aim for consistency and understanding rather than perfect scores.

  • Grading cutoffs adjusted to allow for some margin of error.

Learning Methods & Resources

• Organic Learning Sessions (OLS):

  • Collaborative problem-solving sessions emphasizing peer learning; supported by TAs.

  • No answer keys provided to encourage active participation.

  • Attendance linked to improved grades according to previous studies.

• Schedule and topics:

  • Covered via Canvas with a clear calendar for OLS and office hours.

  • Pre-learn problems to maximize OLS sessions.

Canvas Structure

• Organization into modules to improve navigation.

• Introductory assignments (syllabus quiz, a survey, academic integrity).

• Emphasis on utilizing resources like Ochem Connections for peer tutoring.

Lecture Structure and Practices

• Use of skeleton notes facilitate organized note-taking during lectures.

• Lecture content interspersed with practical problems and examples for practice.

• Recordings of lectures provided for review after class.

• Learning Outcomes (LOs) highlighted as study aids for exam preparation.

• Emphasis on active learning and participation.

Important Concepts in Organic Chemistry

• Nucleophiles:

  • Definition: Electron-rich species that donate electrons.

  • Examples include hydroxide and alkoxide.

• Electrophiles:

  • Definition: Electron-poor species accepting electrons, often positively charged.

  • Examples include protonated carbonyls and some carbocations.

Summary Points

• Learning to recognize and differentiate between nucleophiles and electrophiles is crucial.

• Understanding that the behavior of substances can vary as nucleophiles or electrophiles based on the reaction context.