Experiments and Research Opportunities in a Special Section of General Chemistry for high ability students

该项目将大量资源集中在一小部分能力很强的一年级学生身上，以激励他们中的大部分人从事科学和工程方面的研究工作。化学是这方面的理想课程，因为大多数科学和工程专业的学生在第一年就选了这门课；物理和工程课程开始晚些。1990-91年，我们为5000名学生中最优秀的40名新生开设了一年级化学强化课程。本课程尽可能早且经常地介绍最先进的化学思想。这门课程的基石是春季研究项目，学生们将在化学教授的实验室里进行动手研究。学生对这门课的反应非常积极。参与的25名学生中有11人计划在今年秋天继续研究项目。这个项目将提高研究经验和实验室。这门模范课程可能会说服其他大学在关键的第一年把更多的资源集中在最优秀的理工科学生身上。

This project focuses substantial resources on a small set of highly capable first-year students to inspire a greater fraction of them to pursue research careers in science and engineering. Chemistry is the ideal course for this because most science and engineering majors take it in their first year; physics and engineering courses begin later. In 1990-91, we developed an intensive first-year chemistry course for 40 of the very best new students in a class of 5000. The course introduces state-of-the-art chemical thought as early and as often as possible. The cornerstone of the course is the Spring research project, in which pairs of students engage in hands-on research in the laboratories of chemistry professors. Student response to the course was overwhelmingly positive. Eleven of the 25 students who participated planned to continue research projects this Fall. This project will enhance the research experience and the laboratories. This model course may convince other universities to focus more resources on the very best science and engineering students in the critical first year.