Organic Chemistry and Problem Based Learning

Organic chemistry is historically a course with a high failure/repeat rate. A contributor to poor performance in the course is a lack of preparedness and/or the inability to apply knowledge about fundamental concepts learned in general chemistry to new material in organic chemistry. This project will evaluate students' understanding of key general chemistry concepts critical to success in organic chemistry during the first week of the course to 1) allow students to assess their own preparedness; 2) provide advising and resources for students deemed at risk of failure to help them remediate deficiencies early in the course; and 3) encourage enrollment in the recitation session linked to the course. This project was a team effort with the other members being Ken Nakayama (Chemistry 220A lecture during Fall 2014 and Spring 2015), Jason Schwans (Chemistry 220A lecture during Fall 2014) and Elaine Bernal (Chemistry 224 instructor during Fall 2014 and Spring 2015).