The results of the Survey on the Undergraduate Inorganic Curriculum are now (well, probably 24 hours from now) available in Inorganic Chemistry (http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b01320).
In the paper we've presented the results of the survey, our interpretation, and our preliminary recommendations. However, we believe that these results merit a community discussion and hope that you'll share your perspective on the undergraduate inorganic curriculum in this space on VIPEr.
- Based on the data presented, what are the essential elements of the undergraduate inorganic curriculum? Do you agree with our recommendations? Do you have another interpretation or opinion?
- Are there things we've missed? What would you like to know about the undergraduate inorganic curriculum?
- What strategies can you share to ensure that inorganic chemistry has a robust position in the undergraduate curriculum?
This paper is only a starting point for this discussion. We invite you to further participate in the discussion by participating in the "Undergraduate Teaching at the Frontiers of Inorganic Chemistry" symposium sponsored by the Division of Inorganic Chemistry at the 251st National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego.
Dear All,
I think the ideas expressed in the article make a great deal of sense and it is absolutely the case that a more cohesive strategy is required if inorganic chemistry is to well represented at all Universities/Colleges.
One point I feel that was missed is that it is vital that in drawing up new guidelines concerning inorganic chemistry is to recognize that it must go beyond a US/North America context. We live in a globalized world which means our graduates must compete globally. It follows that in thinking about what topics are a must in inorganic chemistry it's important to look at what is included elsewhere in the world.
As an example take oragnometallic chemistry. This is placed in Table 2 in the advanced topics column but is considered in the UK (and many other advanced economy contries) to be an essential topic as it forms the basis of catalytic chemistry which of course is a major employer of inoragnic chemistry graduates.
While I agree that trying to squeeze in all topics is impossible (the subject is just too vast) I personally think it's time for the DIC to lobby the ACS to make 2 courses of inorganic chemistry, excluding general chemistry, a requirement to for ACS accreditation.
I also think that the inorganic chemistry labs need an update reflecting more modern trands in inorganic chemistry. This will make inoragnic chemistry more appealing to students and their extra knowledge, understanding and problem solving skills more appealing to potential employers.
It's time to give our students the inoragnic chemistry courses they deserve and ensure that when they graduate they are internationally competitive.
David
David, as one of the authors of both the survey and the paper, I can tell you that we did not intentionally ignore our international colleagues.
The survey was sent to the largest email pools to which we had access (which was the members of the ACS Division of Inorganic chemistry) and the members of IONiC. Both bodies include some international membership, and some of these international members responded to the survey. This was, to our knowledge the largest sample size ever attempted for this type of inorganic curricular survey, and it was also the most inclusive of non- PUI faculty.
The number of international respondents unfortunately did not give us a statistically relavant sampling and thus we chose to leave it out of the paper to honor the nature of the journal in which it was being published. We are still thrilled that we were able to get the support of the editors at IC to publish this work , which is so far out of the normal spectrum for that journal. We were very careful to say only that which we had convincing data to support.
In fact, part of this is the reason for this forum, and for the upcoming symposium in San Diego- to invite as many voices into the discussion as possible. Thank you for adding yours.