Publication Date

Fall 2019

School

School of Health Sciences

Major

Biology: Biomedical Sciences

Keywords

lab manual, organic chemistry, organic chemistry II, CHEM 302

Disciplines

Curriculum and Instruction | Organic Chemistry | Polymer Chemistry | Science and Mathematics Education

Abstract

This project aims to supply a full lab manual and grading key for Organic Chemistry II, a class often taken by sophomores in Liberty University’s science degree programs. Properly applied laboratory experiments create a beneficial learning environment for science students by using hands-on procedures to transform intangible lecture concepts into concrete demonstrations. Lab work also fosters the development of problem-solving and critical-thinking skills that students need in research and the workplace. Thus, having a comprehensive lab manual is critical to students’ success and understanding in this upper-level class. This project adds to the experiments of Organic Chemistry II lab through procedural updates, conceptual introductions to experiments, and supplemental information for the students. Additionally, weekly grading keys for teacher’s assistants have been created for better assessment of each student’s knowledge.

To prevent lab experiments from becoming isolated without a practical application, an introduction was written for each week that creates a clear connection between lab work and class concepts. Supplemental information was created to suggest review topics, lab technique cautions, and areas of data discussion required for success in weekly assignments. The main goal of this was to improve the comprehension, and consequently the grades, of students in their notebook and formal lab report assignments.

An answer key for weekly assignments was also designed for standardized grading among teacher’s assistants. Objective answers for notebook assignments were included such as safety hazards for reagents, literature values and calculations for reagent tables, product theoretical yields, and expected results for analytical techniques.

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