Freshman Chemistry Seminar Wittenberg University has introduced a freshman chemistry seminar for a select group of honors students as a n enrichment t,o the general chemistry course. To part,ieipate in the seminar, the student had to prepare and present a talk on a selected topic. The other students and t,he faculty advisor then evalitsted the presentation and offered constructive criticism. The professor gave no grades, but the participants were exempt,ed from four weekly quisae.. in class as a reward. During t,he first seminar earlier this year tslks on the following topics were presented "Louis Pasteur's Looking Glsss World" hy nsrhara Ator "Chernictry of Senae of Smell(' by JeB nell "Molecular Orbital Theory'' by Msreia Ann Cary 'Territin hod the Spleen" by Patricia Deane "The Evolution of Proteins" I,y Donald Dupler, Jr. "Entropy" by Douglhs C. Gleaser "Cancer-Viruses" by Lesley Ann Xerl,st "Protein Svnthesis" bv Garv Lea I;?p a i l L~~~~~~ "Radio Tracing of Water I'looding" I,y Dave Lorena "Calcium Ion Transport Aoross Rat Intestine" by Donna King "Car llattery Cells" by Mike Manning "The Enzyme. Alld i n e Phorohatsse" bv Maureen A. March ~-~ "Metalloenzymes in nio1~ev"hy Dave Poindexter "ERects of Tl~slidomldeon Pre-nstsl Development" hy Steve P "Nohle Gas Compounds" by Kenneth Rahn "The Chemistry of Urban Problems" by Steve Reiner "Photorynthesia" by Jean Scarf "Zino-The Methl for Men" Ily Jan Sirnons ~
Some topics i n the above listing seemed more relevant t,o the gmnp that1 were others, on thc hasis of classroom respmse in terms of questions and comments. Those t,hat ellicit,ed the greater response were those of contemporary and biolcaienlsianificance. "The Chemistrvof Urban Problems." fur e x a m.~ l.eo..~ e n e dt,he "~outrseminerdise~rssion"to m a w q ~ ~ s t i o n ~ c o n c e ~ .the n i nrelevancy g chemistry t,o prohlims snrh as sir pollution, wker pollntion, nnd the everPresen"t, problem of consemation of all nat,mal resources. Othcr topics of great interest t o the group were: "Cancer and Viruses," "The Evolution of Prateinq" "Prateiu Synthesis," "Calcium Ian Transport across R a t Intestine," ''Tho Enzyme, Alkaline Phmphatase," "Zinc-The Metal for Men," and "Effects of Thalidamide on Pre-natal 1)cvelopment." All these topics prompted much discussion and ellicit,ed many questions. . .many of which were unanswe~.ahle. However, the fact that the students were qtlestioning scientific data was relevant in itself. . .and led in meny seminars t o the asking of the ultimate question "Why?" After the final meeting, Professor Farrier asked the students to comment on the seminar. The students said that they gained experience, that they enjoyed researching their topic, or that they found this a good supplement to class and laboratory. All liked the relaxed atmosphere created by the absence of grades. And most recommended the seminar for incoming frahmen as a learning experience. The students also suggested improvements. First of d l , mast agreed the talks should not last over about fortyfive mimtt,es apiece. Secondly, there should he only one presentation per session. And finally, every student should try to make his speech intercst,ing t o his major field and not too detailed. Slides, diagrams, and other visual aids could help.
dr
422
/
Journal of Chemical Educofion
