introresearch Introduction to Research Methods

Introduction to Research Method (CHEM 376)

Course Description

This course serves as an introduction to chemical research and the tools required for successfully conceiving, planning, and conducting a research project.  The class session will alternate between traditional classes and a group meeting format.  Group meetings will comprise of a round table update of project activities following by an informal presentation/ discussion led by each class member in turn focusing on either a journal article of interest or a preliminary project data.  The course will emphasize scientific writing and presentation skills and also include literature search strategies, critical evaluation of literature, experimental design, and statistical data treatment.  The final presentation will serve as a conference style presentation of a completed project or a presentation of a proposed more extensive project.  Class periods will be a mixture of lectures, class presentations, guest speakers and research group format discussions.


Textbooks

Herbert Beall and John Trimbur, “A Short Guide to Writing about Chemistry”, 2nd Edition, Addison Wesley Longman
David Harris, “Modern Analytical Chemistry”, McGraw Hill (2000)

The course will also make use of the ilearn system

2008 Syllabus html