Vertical Integration of Raman Spectroscopy into the Chemistry Curriculum

佛罗里达大西洋大学化学和生物化学系的教员正在将拉曼光谱实验和经验垂直整合到本科化学课程中。该项目正在解决关键的、特定于课程的、学生的学习成果以及基本的、具有支撑性的概念(“大想法”)。该项目通过获得一台复杂的拉曼光谱仪来实现这一点，并使用该仪器随着学生在课程序列中的进步而引入和强化越来越复杂的化学概念。这个项目是重新调整的化学课程的一部分，其中包括一种“光谱学”的方法。拉曼光谱学帮助学生深入学习分子结构，定量分析，阐明反应机理，以及光谱学如何帮助研究。项目是演示和建立方法，通过这种方法，复杂的光谱仪器可以在整个化学课程中使用，以促进各级对锚定概念的理解。随着学生在化学课程中的进步，他们正在参与越来越先进的基于拉曼仪器的实验，使他们能够：(1)将课堂上教授的理论与真实的研究和行业实践联系起来；(2)成为自己学习的更积极和更负责任的参与者；以及(3)加强和扩大他们对以前学习的概念的理解。独立顾问正在指导对这一努力的有效性的评估，旨在提高学生对化学原理的理解和他们对学习的态度的总体想法。FAU校园的学生团体确保不同的人群正在经历与最先进的仪器的亲身接触。调查人员正在通过演讲和一个专门的网站来传播他们的工作。此外，正在编写一本图文并茂的手册，介绍新颖的本科生拉曼经验和实验，准备出版。还在编写一份教师手册，其中包括学习成果的前后衡量标准。

The faculty in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at Florida Atlantic University are vertically integrating Raman spectroscopy experiments and experiences into the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. The project is addressing key, course-specific, student learning outcomes as well as fundamental, anchoring concepts ('big ideas'). The project is accomplishing this by acquiring a sophisticated Raman spectrometer and is using this instrument to introduce and reinforce increasingly more complex chemistry concepts as a student progresses through the course sequence. This project is part of a restructured chemistry curriculum that includes a 'spectroscopy-to-learn' approach. Raman spectroscopy is aiding students' deep learning of molecular structure, quantitative analysis, the elucidation of reaction mechanisms, and how spectroscopy aids research.The project is demonstrating and establishing the methods by which a sophisticated spectroscopic instrument can be utilized throughout the entire chemistry curriculum to promote understanding of anchoring concepts at all levels. Students are engaging with increasingly more advanced Raman instrument-based experiments as they progress through the chemistry curriculum enabling them to: (1) connect the theory taught in lectures with authentic research and industry practice; (2) become more active and responsible participants in their own learning; and (3) reinforce and extend their understanding of concepts previously learned. Independent consultants are guiding the evaluation of the effectiveness of this effort aimed at the over-arching ideas of improving student understanding of chemical principles and their attitudes towards learning.The student body of the FAU campus ensures a diverse population is experiencing a hands-on encounter with state-of-the-art instrumentation. The investigators are disseminating their work through presentations and a dedicated web site. In addition, an illustrated handbook featuring the novel undergraduate Raman experiences and experiments is being prepared for publication. An instructor's manual that contains both pre- and post-measures of learning outcomes is also being developed.