Building Bridges Between Science Courses Using Honors Organic Chemistry Projects

by: Timothy Hickey and Jason Pontrello

Introductory undergraduate science courses are traditionally offered as distinct units without formalized student interaction between classes. To bridge science courses, the authors used three Honors Organic Chemistry projects paired with other science courses. The honors students delivered presentations to mainstream organic course students and in the general chemistry laboratory course, and collaborations with computer science course students produced animations of organic reactions. Honors students were prepared for project work through weekly assignments designed to teach navigation and use of primary scientific literature.

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