Dr. Morvant's

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Application for Undergraduate Research (doc)

Application for Undergraduate Research (pdf)

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESEARCH DESCRIPTION:

Curriculum Innovations

            It is an old cliché, but students today are not the same as when I was in school.  They are usually performing multiple tasks at one time instead of diligently reading their textbook and working the assigned problems.  They may be listening to their bipod at the same time they are looking some information up on Wikipedia with their MySpace page open in the background, and in the next moment checking out a video on YouTube that their friend just text messaged them about.  The question is: How do we utilize this ability to multi task and assimilate small bits of information from multiple sources to enhance the students learning in chemistry?
            In this research, we will develop and explore the application of podcast/vodcasts, wake texts, and online networking in the teaching of Organic Chemistry.  Which would be more useful an enhanced podcast of a lecture or the same material covered in a several short videos?  Could online information replace the standard course text? Would developing social networks online have a positive impact on student performance in a course? 

Laboratory Curriculum Development:

            There have been several successful integrations of problem/research based laboratory curriculum into the sophomore Organic Chemistry laboratory and the results in the students understanding of the concepts and practical experience have been very promising.  But the move to more inquiry and active learning pedagogy in undergraduate labs by using a problem/research based laboratory curriculum has not been wide spread.  The increased demand for well trained instructors, hands-on instrumentation, and funds for chemicals and supplies needed to run a problem/research based laboratory curriculum is often the deciding factor as to whether a chemistry program can implement the curriculum.  Can experiments and curriculum be designed to allow small Universities with limited resources and large Universities with large numbers of students implement more problem oriented Organic Chemistry laboratory experience instead of the more common “cookbook” laboratory experience?
            In this research, we will be developing new experiments, modifying existing experiments, and studying the effect of implementation on the student’s learning and attitude towards their laboratory experience.  The focus will be to increase the active learning and problem solving aspects of the laboratory while maintaining the ability to implement the laboratory with limited resources or large numbers of students.

Electrochemistry:

In this research, we will be investigating of the electronic behavior of small organics and polymers to determine their electrochemical properties and potential applications. The initial focus will be the analysis of in-situ conductivity properties of conductive polymers and development of n-dopable conductive polymers.