The Freshman Chemistry Seminar

Abstract

The Freshman Chemistry Seminar at Northeast Missouri State University is a one-credit-hour course whose objectives include: familiarizing the students with opportunities in chemistry-related careers, encouraging thought about the personality characteristics of a good scientist, introducing special topics in chemistry that are not routinely covered in general chemistry, and generating a cohesive community of learners among the freshman chemistry majors. The course activities include career related seminars given in class, evaluation of scientists' personalities in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episodes, a tie-dye mixer, faculty interviews, and developing an academic Four-Year-Plan.

A Three-Year Chemistry Seminar Program Focusing on Career Development Skills

“…The seminar program model is not unique to the TCNJ campus; other colleges and universities have developed their own courses with formats ranging from formal workshops, seminar series, and informal discussions, to self-taught mechanisms including tutorials. − The TCNJ program shares some aspects of these reported works, but is unique in how it combines curricular enhancements supported by a faculty-embedded-librarian partnership for the IL portion of the seminar program. The embedded librarian, a title now acknowledged and defined in the library literature, is one who has transitioned from the traditional subject liaison to a team member who contributes to the research mission of the institution and becomes a partner with faculty to develop relationships with students .…”

Integrating Webinar and Blogging Technologies into Chemistry Seminar

“…Chemistry seminar, though not specifically mandated by American Chemical Society (ACS) professional training guidelines, continues to represent an important element of the college chemistry curriculum. − Traditionally, the undergraduate chemistry seminar course seeks to comply with broad ACS Committee on Professional Training goals of developing written and oral communication skills. It is often viewed as a “capstone experience” for upper-level chemistry and biochemistry majors. − A common feature of many traditional seminar programs involves exposing students, beyond their immediate academic environment and core curriculum, to a diversity of practitioners and presentations across the breadth of chemical sciences. ,, …”

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

“…2À9 Two articles described courses designed for graduate students. 2,3 Other articles reported courses specifically for undergraduate students addressing professional development, 4À6 attraction and retention of chemistry-major students, 7,8 and training for careers in industry. 9 In fact, only one program that is similar to CIC has been reported for chemistry students, 10 and its effectiveness was not evaluated.…”

“…Lent and co-workers have described the positive effect of such a “focused interest” career course for college students in science and engineering . A variety of career-related courses have been developed for students in chemistry and chemical engineering; however, their content and goals differ significantly from CIC. − Two articles described courses designed for graduate students. , Other articles reported courses specifically for undergraduate students addressing professional development, − attraction and retention of chemistry-major students, , and training for careers in industry . In fact, only one program that is similar to CIC has been reported for chemistry students, and its effectiveness was not evaluated.…”