Multi-University Integration of Solid-State Chemistry and Powder X-ray Diffraction into the Undergraduate Curriculum

由奥罗拉大学化学系牵头的芝加哥地区联合学院化学部（由15所小型文理学院组成的联盟）正在向本科化学学生和K-12职前和在职教师介绍粉末X射线衍射（PXDR）仪器。 该项目正在实现的四个目标是：（1）提供为期两周，60小时的接触，4个学分，以研究为导向，固态/材料课程，通过研讨会，由财团服务的大型，广泛和多样化的本科生人口，该课程在三个不同的时间提供。 (2)为职前和在职K-12教师提供夏季研究型研讨会，重点关注应用于无机材料合成的复杂仪器，这些材料在催化，废物治理，替代能源或光子学中具有潜在应用。 (3)整合固态和材料化学，再加上PXRD仪器在领导机构的本科课程的各个层次。 (4)通过本科生的研究经验，提高高年级学生的研究培训，围绕容易获得的PXRD仪器。该项目正在建立一个研讨会式的，高度集中的，时间紧凑的课程，在提供重要的，研究驱动的实验室经验，当这是他们唯一的智力承诺的时候，学生的功效。 该项目还旨在激发学生对化学的热情，特别是固态化学。 一个长期目标是增加进入固态化学研究生课程的学生人数，或者增加被材料行业录用的高素质候选人的人数。 使用该工具支持教师指导的研究，正在产生新的实验结果，并培养下一代研究生，有资格参加精简格式课程的学生来自联盟学校，确保了多样化的受众。 该项目的耦合到职前和在职教师的需求是独特的呈现动手访问复杂的仪器，故意试图引起热情和兴奋的化学研究为基础的性质。 该项目的课程，研讨会和方法，建立在一个价格适中，广泛有用的工具，可以作为一个模型，采用和适应许多其他机构。

The Chemistry Division of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (a consortium of 15 small liberal arts colleges), spearheaded by the Chemistry Department at Aurora University, is introducing Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXDR) instrumentation to undergraduate chemistry students and to K-12 pre-service and in-service teachers. The four goals the project is achieving are: (1) Delivering a two-week, 60-contact hour, 4 credit, research-oriented, solid-state/materials course, through workshops, to the large, broad and diverse undergraduate population served by the consortium, with the course being offered at three distinct times. (2) Delivering summertime research-oriented workshops for pre-service and in-service K-12 teachers that focus on complex instrumentation as applied to synthesis of inorganic materials with potential applications in catalysis, waste remediation, alternative energy, or photonics. (3) Integrating solid-state and materials chemistry coupled with the PXRD instrument across all levels of the undergraduate curriculum at the lead institution. (4) Enhancing research training of upper-division students through undergraduate research experiences built around easy access to a PXRD instrument.The project is establishing the efficacy of a workshop-style, highly-focused, and time-condensed course in providing significant, research-driven laboratory experiences to students at a time when this is their only intellectual commitment. The project also aims to motivate students to become enthusiastic about chemistry in general, and solid-state chemistry in specific. A long term goal is to increase the number of students who enter graduate programs in solid-state chemistry or who are tapped as highly qualified candidates for the materials industry. The use of the instrument in the support of faculty-mentored research is leading to new experimental findings as well as in the training of next-generation graduate students.The variety of students eligible for the condensed-format course, from the consortium schools, is ensuring a diverse audience. The coupling of the project to the needs of pre-service and in-service teachers is uniquely presenting hands-on access to sophisticated instrumentation in a deliberate attempt to engender enthusiasm and excitement about the research-based nature of chemistry. The project's courses, workshops, and approach, built around a modestly priced, widely useful instrument can serve as a model for adoptions and adaptations by many other institutions.