Course Redesign of General Chemistry Supplemental Instruction

The General Chemistry (CHEM 200/202) course at SDSU is one of the most challenging freshmen courses on campus with a consistently large D, F, W rate (>20%). The class is in extremely high demand (>800 students/semester). There are a variety of reasons for the high D, F, W rate, ranging from seniors taking the course years after any prior chemistry course, to freshmen learning to adapt to the demands of a university course load, and the challenge of active engagement of students in 500 seat lectures halls. This redesign proposal aims to facilitate active learning in the classroom, as well as providing additional opportunities for peer instruction through the proven Supplemental Instruction (SI) model.