“Careers in Chemistry”: A Course Providing Students with Real-World Foundations

Solano, Danielle M.; Wood, Fred E.; Kurth, Mark J.

doi:10.1021/ed1001366

Cited by 21 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…If students don't see the possible career opportunities, it decreases their will to choose chemistry. 23 The vocational perspective can be offered via individual career courses 24 or embedding career planning inside other courses 22 . Also, there is evidence that authentic research-based laboratory experiences support interest in chemistry careers 25 .…”

Section: Vocational Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

The Relevance of Radiochemistry: Perceptions of Future Radiochemists

2020

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Radiochemistry faces a well-documented training and recruitment crisis. Older radiochemists are retiring, and fewer young people are studying radiochemistry. In turn, this is leading to a shortage in newly qualified radiochemists, as well as a loss of historical knowledge (as know-how is often not passed-on). Here, we analyzed the relevance of the study of radiochemistry in higher education through future radiochemists' perceptions. Our objective was to provide insights into future radiochemists' thinking and provide some clear examples on how to support relevance. A qualitative study was conducted through a research question: What perceptions of relevance do future radiochemists experience about radiochemistry studies and radiochemistry as a field? We used the relevance model of Stuckey et al. (2013) as the relevance framework. This was selected because it offers a comprehensive definition of relevance including individual, societal, and vocational dimensions. The data were gathered from post-graduate radiochemistry students (masters and PhD level) through use of a qualitative questionnaire that was designed using the selected relevance framework. In total, 15 future radiochemists participated in the study. The data were analyzed through theory-based content analysis using the selected relevance framework. According to our data, future radiochemists experience their university study and the chemistry field as being highly relevant.They experienced that radiochemistry topics are interesting (individual relevance), the field has great societal impact through radiopharmaceuticals, energy solutions, and environmental problem-solving

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Section: Vocational Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

The Relevance of Radiochemistry: Perceptions of Future Radiochemists

2020

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“…Chemistry connects the physical sciences with life sciences and applied sciences. As chemistry is vital for the economy, it is important to encourage adolescents to choose a chemistry-related career (Solano et al, 2011;Avargil, Kohen, & Dori, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Choosing Chemistry at Different Education and Career Stages: Chemists, Chemical Engineers, and Teachers

2021

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In response to the realization that qualified applicants’ choice of a career in chemistry is declining, we investigated the factors involved in chemistry and chemical education career choice. Building on the social cognitive theory (SCT) and the social cognitive career theory (SCCT), this research examines the personal, environmental, and behavioral factors influencing the chemistry-related profession choice of 55 chemists, 18 chemical engineers, and 72 chemistry teachers. Research participants also suggest ways to encourage students to major in chemistry during high school and pursue a chemistry-related career. Results showed that high school serves as a significant turning point of future career choices. Self-efficacy in the task-oriented and chemistry learning aspects are the driving forces of choosing a chemistry career. We also shed light on the importance of enhancing students’ choice in chemistry-related career via quality educational programs. The study contribution lies in examining all three aspects of career choice in the SCCT. We have applied this framework specifically in chemistry, but the identified factors can be applied to other STEM domains. Practically, we provide recommendations for different stakeholders on how to overcome the shortage of skilled chemistry professionals.

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“…Academic institutions have begun showing increased interest in redeveloping the undergraduate chemistry curriculum to incorporate the principles of green chemistry [1][2][3] , as well as increasing student experiences with real-world industrial and academic research problems [4][5][6] . Following our department's signing of the 'Green Chemistry Commitment' through the Beyond Benign Institute (http://www.beyondbenign.org/he-whos-committed/) we have undertaken deliberate efforts to transform our curriculum by teaching and practicing green chemistry starting from our introductory…”

Section: Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crafting A More Environmentally Benign Extraction and Analysis of Pharmaceutical Precursors from a Medicinal Plant: A Student-Led Innovation

Parra¹,

Stanley²,

Foster³

et al. 2019

Preprint

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<p>A student-led research seminar was utilized to develop and validate an innovative 4-part undergraduate chemistry laboratory module that exposes students to a more environmentally benign method for the extraction and analysis of pharmaceutical-precursor alkaloids from the leaves of a medicinal plant, the Madagascar periwinkle. This plant is well known for its production of valuable pharmaceutical alkaloids but obtaining these compounds in therapeutic amounts has relied on traditional techniques that often ignore environmental impacts. Our student-directed design team has optimized an instructional protocol for extracting alkaloids from leaves by successfully, and for the first time, replacing the traditionally used dichloromethane extraction solvent with cyclopentyl methyl ether, a less environmentally harmful solvent. As a pedagogical exercise in the principles of green chemistry, students work in teams performing extractions with conventional vs. “green” solvents for comparison. We also introduce the student to the concept of the qualitative assay for alkaloid presence. Thin layer chromatography is performed with various solvents to optimize resolution of major alkaloid components, as well as to introduce fundamental principles of chromatography to the students. Finally, supercritical fluid chromatography is utilized as a previously unexplored, and less waste-producing analytical technique for confirmation of the presence of the valuable pharmaceutical precursors vindoline and catharanthine.<b></b></p>

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“Careers in Chemistry”: A Course Providing Students with Real-World Foundations

Cited by 21 publications

References 9 publications

The Relevance of Radiochemistry: Perceptions of Future Radiochemists

The Relevance of Radiochemistry: Perceptions of Future Radiochemists

Choosing Chemistry at Different Education and Career Stages: Chemists, Chemical Engineers, and Teachers

Crafting A More Environmentally Benign Extraction and Analysis of Pharmaceutical Precursors from a Medicinal Plant: A Student-Led Innovation

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