EVENING INSTRUCTION FOR THE CHEMIST IN INDUSTRY. THE CHICAGO PLAN* ARTHUR GU~LAUDEU, SWIETAND Co., CHICAGO. ILL.,AND WARDV. EVANS, NORTHWESTERNUNrvEnsrrY, EVANSTON, ILL.
The increasing demand of the industrial world for chemists having graduate training has caused a larger appreciation of the advantages of such training among those who are already employed by day and who. perhaps, are no longer in a position to return to daytime study in college or university. They wish to keep abreast of the developing science and to move forward at least in step with the more recent graduates who have had the advantages of a broader training. And, while there have been opportunities for evening study of the usual undergraduate courses, there has been until recent years but small opportunity for graduate instruction in chemistry and the allied sciences in the evening. In Chicago, a movement to supply this need has been in operation since 1923, with ever-increasing success. A description of the development of this movement has been published previously,' and also a survey of the types of students enrolled in these courses, their interests and their response to the instruction ~ f f e r e d . ~Other sections of the American Chemical Society are now evidencing interest in developing similar courses, and the Chicago Committee on Evening Courses will be glad to assist any sections which are contemplating such work. This paper is intended to explain the methods used in establishing these courses, the growth of the movement, and some characteristics of the classes. Any description of the work naturally divides itself into two parts. The first period lasted from the spring of 1923 until the winter of 1925-26. The second period began about the first of 1926 when the movement was officially recognized by the Chicago Section, A. C. S., and when cooperation with the University of Chicago became an essential part of the plan. The movement was initiated when a group of about twenty chemists were called together to attend a series of lectures on physical chemistry under Dr. W. V. Evans. At the close of this course, it was recognized that this plan was of too great value to be allowed to lapse; so a few members of the group set about to continue and to enlarge the plan. This selfappointed committee has continued to be the nucleus of those who have carried on the work. During the five years in which courses have been given the committee has called in additional members from time to time and no less than twenty-five or thirty have contributed their counsel. To *Read before the Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society at St. Louis, April 18, 1928. ' A. Guillaudeu, Chem. & Met. Eng., 33, 474 (1926) W. A. Noyes, Jr , Tnrs JO~JRNAL, 4, 969-72 (Aug., 1927).
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organize the second and the succeeding courses before the committee had any connection with the A. C. S. or the University of Chicago, the general plan was to call ameeting of all those who were interested in securing instruction, regardless of their particular interest, and to ask in what subjects they wished to be taught. To the information so obtained was added all that could be gathered in personal conversations with as many chemists as possible. Then the committee, acting on these suggestions, would seek to find instructors who could and would teach these subjects in the evenings, and would make tentative arrangements with them as to hours, dates, remuneration, the subject matter of the proposed courses, etc. Another meeting of all who were interested was then called, the possible arrangements were explained, and an attempt was made to get the full cooperation of all present so as to have as large a support as possible for the class, or classes, which were desired by the largest number. Taking the vote by a show of hands seemed to arouse in the individual a feeling that he had a personal interest in the establishment of the work. Most chemists recognized the need on their part of instruction in more than one subject and were willing to study these in such order as could he conveniently arranged. A desire to cooperate was quite generally manifested. As to the compensation of the instructor, i t was soon found that the better plan was to pay him a fixed fee of $240 per twelve lectures of two hours each and to pro-rate this charge among the students rather than to charge the students a fixed fee and to be unable to make a guarantee to the instructor. The use of a room as a meeting place was donated by the Chicago Chemists' Club; the committee assumed its own expenses; and thus the only expense to the student was the pro-rated share of the instructor's fee. The officers of the Chicago Section, A. C. S., were indulgent and allowed the plans of the committee to be presented t o the local chemists both verbally a t the regular meetings and also through notices in the Chemical Bulletin. The cooperation of other groups was sought, including the medical, dental, pharmacal, and engineering professions, the steel treaters, etc. The medical profession contributed students to several classes, but the others were only mildly interested. Of all these means of advertising, the most effective was the personal conversation; next, the printed notice in the Chemical Bulletin. Several canvasses were made to determine the most acceptable evening and hour for meeting. These always resulted in showing Monday as the preferred evening, followed by Wednesday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Friday and Saturday evenings were strictly tabooed. No matter what hour was chosen it worked a slight hardship on some; the preferred time was from 7.00 to 9.00 P.M. Each course met but once a week. Some students would attend two courses meeting on Monday and Wednesday.
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In as much as these classes were not given by any college or university it was not possible for the student to obtain credit for the work done, and, correspondingly, there was no examination, nor was there any set prerequisite, nor any required study. But these were no great disadvantages, for the courses were taken by those who were seeking information for their own advancement, and each made such preparation as suited his time and his purpose. As attendance on these courses was dictated only by the desires of the individual and as there were no prerequisites, the groups were quite heterogeneous. Some classes contained holders of the Ph.D. degree along with others who had not advanced beyond sophomore work. The average age was probably in the neighborhood of 32 to 35 years, but there were wide variations in age. Besides these contrasts, there were large differences in the industrial connections and experiences. All of these thmgs made more dithcult the task of the instructors, but the problems were largely counterbalanced by the greater maturity and earnestness of the students. Under these conditions seven courses were given during two and onehalf years. Of these, four dealt with physical chemistry, one with the chemistry of colloids, and two with biological chemistry. The collective enrolment was 140. The number of individuals was over 80. The number in the separate classes ranged from 14 to 29. The statistics of the classes will be discussed hereafter at greater length. By this time the continued interest in the courses had proved that there was a steady and a rather insistent demand for such instruction and that the student could gain considerable from them in spite of the obvious disadvantages. But to obtain the best results and to do the greatest good it was advisable to bring the work into close cooperation with a recognized institution of learning. This would allow the student to obtain college credit for his work, to apply this credit toward a degree, and to establish connections with the university faculty. It would allow the work of the committee to be systematized, and it would allow the scope of the courses to be broadened. Consequently, the committee sought and obtained two things: first, to be appointed as one of the committees of the Chicago Section; second, to establish a firm connection with one of the local universities. By the first of these, the courses ceased to be the product of a few individuals and they were nowsponsored by a large and representative group. This endorsement of the work added much to the strength of the movement. By the plan of cooperation with the University of Chicago there were gained all of the usual advantages of such a connection except that most of the students are prevented, by the hours of their employment, frommakinguse of the library and the laboratory facilities and from enjoying that intimate friendship with the instructors which is one of the chief advantages of daytime classes.
One of the Colleges of the University of Chicago is known as University College, which is a down-town branch of the University of Chicago and caters to students that cannot take work on the campus. With this College very desirable arrangements were made. We might summarize these by saying that the committee of the Chicago Section, A. C. S., endeavors to learn in what subjects instruction is particularly wanted and which instructors are considered satisfactory for the purpose. These data are then brought before the Dean of University College, who ascertains when and by whom the desired subjects can be taught, and arranges for the courses to be given. Subsequently, the committee gives as much publicity to the program as can well be done through announcements a t the regular meetings of the Section and by notices in the Bulletin. Besides this, the College sends to each member of the Chicago Section a copy of its announcement of the work in ;hemistry for the ensuing quarter. University College then conducts the course as it dws any other regularly scheduled course, registering the students, collecting the fees, furnishing the classroom, and giving University credit to those who fulfil the usual requirements. An essential part of the plan is that the instructors may be drawn not only from the faculty of the University of Chicago, but also from other schools and from the industries. Several members of the faculty of Nortgwestern University are now upon the list. Under this new arrangement the first course was given in the spring of 1926. Dr. Stieglitz gave six lectures on the application to organic chemistry of the electronic theory of valence; and Dr. Harkins gave six on various topics of physical chemistry. The enrolment of 79 far surpassed all expectations, for the largest previous class had been but 29. Beyond question, the high esteem in which these lecturers are held and the unusual opportunity to hear them in a series of lectures, instead of in only a single brief one, aided materially in attracting so large a number. Toward the close of this class a questionnaire was circulated among these students and also was issued to all members of the Chicago Section. A copy of it is given here together with a tabulation of the answers. It was answered by 126 individuals, or about one-sixth the membership of the Chicago Section. QUESTIONNAIRE The Chicago Section of the American Chemical Society, through its committee, has launched successfully a series of evening lectures in chemistry. These are being given in coiiperation with the University of Chicago by University College. The nature of such courses will be determined by requests from among the chemists. In order to plan for the coming year the committee desires to secure expressions of opinion from as many of those who are interested as possible. Will you kindly answer the following questions? 1. Please indicate the particular purpose you have in mind in taking such a course.
Advanced college credit General culture in chemistry Specific information Contact with university lecturers
44 63 30 28
2. Would you he interested in a plan which would enable you t o work toward an advanced degree in chemistry, such as the Master's or Dodor's degree? Yes No
68 26
3. Do you prefer broad fundamental courses, such as physical chemistry or organic chemistry? Yes No
70 22
4. Or do you prefer specialized courses, such as food chemistry, chemistry of iron and steel, the sugars, etc.? Yes No 5.
Would you like to have courses in related subjects such as: Physics Mathematics Physiology Geology
6.
37 32 40 33 12 19
Do you desire instruction in chemical engineering?
Yes No
46 36
7. Is there any particular lecturer in Chicago whom you would like to have give courses in chemistry? Forty-three votes were distributed among eight men. No
33
8. Supposing that the following or similar courses could he arranged and one or two of them given neat fall, winter, and spring (if the enrolment were sufficient), would you expect t o enrol? These courses are listed as examples only. In which course or courses? ( a ) Advanced inorganic chemistry. A series of halbmajor lecture courses; the groups of the periodic system; thermal analysis; alloys; coiirdination theory, etc. (b) Theories underlying analytical chemistry. Precipitation; oxidation; reduction; electrometric titratians, etc. (c) Organic preparations. Laboratory work in the evenings. ( d ) Colloid chemistry. Answers were: (a) 19; (6) 31; (c) 16; ( d ) 42. 9. If your desired course is not listed above, please indicate the nature of it here. Thirty-four topics were mentioned, receiving from one to four votes each. These topics represent branches of the main divisions of chemistry and we may dassify the votes as for Physical chemistry Industrial chemistry
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Organic chemistry Metallurgy Miscellaneous Other sciences
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6 5 7 5
The tabulated answers show how generally the chemist who has been in industry ior a few years appreciates the importance of a broad fundamental training and the understanding of the sciences other than chemistry. They also show how diverse are the interests of such a group.
We have found that all such votes must be considered as indicative, rather than as definite. For instance, while the number asserting a preference for advanced inorganic chemistry was 19 and for theories underlying analytical chemistry was 31, yet when given, the former attracted 35 and the latter 16. On the other hand, instruction in colloids was asked by 42, which was quite close to the actual enrolment of 49. In some of the earlier classes, the number who would enrol would he practically the same as the number who had signified their interest in the course, although very few of the latter would actually enter the course. For a time this was a confusing occurrence but the committee learned to appraise the probable attendance by the number interested beforehand, Best estimates are made after many personal conversations with chemists of all ages and employments. Yet, today, it is not possible to forecast accurately the number who will enrol in a particular course. Having considered the methods of arranging for and of giving the courses, let us now turn to some of the results accomplished. The courses thus far given are tabulated here: Subject
Physical chemistry Physical chemistry Colloids Physical chemistry Physical chemistry Physiological chem. Physiological &em.
Instructor
Evans Evans Noyes, Jr. Evans Evans Hanke Hanke
Date
Spring Fall Fall Winter Fall Spring Fall
1923 1923 1923 1924 1924 1925 1925
Enrolled
19 14 29 19 16 24 19
The above courses were given before, and the following courses after, the agreement to cooperate with the Chicago Section of the A. C. S. and the University of Chicago. Organic chemistry Physical chemistry Theories of anal. chem. Math. for chemists Physics Adv. inorg. chemistry Physics Adv. inorg. chemistry
Stieglitz Harkins f Noyes, Jr. Young Lemon Schlesinger Lemon Schlesinger
Spring 1926
79
Fall Fall Winter Winter Spring Spring
16 14 20 31 24 24
1926 1926 1927 1927 1927 1927
Physiological chem. Colloids Physical chemistry Physiological ehem. Physical chemistry Chem. of carbohydrates
Hanke Harkins Evans Hanke Evans Glattfeld
Fall Fall Winter Winter Spring Spring
1927 1927 1928 1928 1928 1928
38 49 39 38 31 24
We do not have records of the industrial connections of all of the students; but the seventy-two individuals who were registered in the first six courses were recorded as having these interests: Food and food produds Metal working Medical and allied Mineral oils Rubber Paint Heavy chemicals Miscellaneous Not listed
Of the seventynine who were in the class taught jointly by Drs. Stieglitz and Hark'ms, the largest groups may be classified as: Teachers Western Electric Co. Medical and allied Metallurgical
The other forty-three are of widely diversified interests. Since the courses have been administered by the University of Chicago, 226 individuals have enrolled a total of 426 times. In the 13 classes so given, we find that 120 students registered for only one course 60 students registered for two courses 28 students registered for three courses 6 students reaistered for four courses . 4 students registered for five courses 7 students registered for seven courses 1 student registered for nine courses 1 student registered for eleven courses
Since i t has been possible to obtain university credit for work done in these courses, a very few "campus" students have availed themselves of the opportunity to attend evening classes rather than the daytime courses, probably because the subjects were offered only during the evening in those quarters. But the very p e a t majority of those served by these
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courses have been those who otherwise would have been without opportunity to hear these subjects taught. The total enrolment, by school years, shows a satisfactory rate of increase: Year
Enrolment
1922-23 1923-24 1924-25 1925-26 1926-27 1927-28
19 62 40 108 129 219
Differences in the demand for certain courses as compared with that for certain others will account for some of the variation. For instance, a course in colloids is always in demand and will swell the enrolment of the year in which it is given as compared with a more mathematical course. But the above record of the registration shows a consistent and rather remarkable upward trend in the number of registrants. With the giving of the courses above listed, there is a constantly growing number who will be interested in, and prepared for, courses for which these first courses are prerequisites. Hence, we now feel that the time is a t hand to enlarge our program. We are working to establish a three-year cycle of classes so arranged that the prerequisite course shall precede those courses for which i t is a logical forerunner, and so that courses that are simultaneously given shall not conflict with each other. We feel that the attendance is now sufficiently great that three courses can be given in each quarter. The tentative schedule for the next three years is the following one: 1928-29 Thermodynamics Advanced organic chemistry The phase rule History of chemistry Structure of matter
Three quarters Three quarters One quarter One quarter One quarter
1929-30 Advanced inorganic chemistry Physiological chemistry Colloids Theories of analytical chem The less common elements
Three quarters Two quarters One quarter One quarter One quarter
1930-31 Physical chemistry Electro-chemistry The carbohydrates Mathematics for chemists
Three quarters One quarter One quarter One quarter
The last of these, mathematics for chemists, is intended to be preparatory for the course in thermodynamics which would be scheduled for the following year.
Now, all of these are lecture courses, as have been all of the precedmg ones. The chemist who is busy in industry all day is inclined to the belief that he has had enough laboratory work and that his need is for the underlying theory which will enable him to apply himself to more advanced problems and which will keep him in touch with the ever-increasing progress of his profession. At the same time, there is a very definite understanding between the committee and the University that if and when there is manifest a demand for laboratory work, the University will take steps to satisfy that demand. For this purpose, there is a plan that access may be had not only to the laboratories of the University of Chicago upon its Midway campus but also, if desirable, to those of Northwestern University, or of Lewis Institute, or perhaps to some other convenient point. To summarize, the results of the firm establishment of the evening courses are evident in several directions: 1. The University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the Chicago Section of the A. C. S., and through the individual student, the industrial enterprises of this vicinity have been brought into close cooperation, to the advantage of each. 2. An increased appreciation of the assistance which the A. C. S. supplies to the individual chemist has brought a better feeling toward the A. C. S. and some increase in its membership. 3. To the industries there is the gain through the further training of their chemists. 4. And, for the individual, there is a much enlarged opportunity for self-advancement, as well as for a cultural study of his science.
