An Atoms First Approach to the General Chemistry Laboratory

Laboratory Manual to Accompany Chemistry: Atoms First by Gregg Dieckmann and John Sibert from the University of Texas at Dallas. This laboratory manual presents a lab curriculum that is organised around an atoms-first approach to general chemistry. The philosophy behind this manual is to (1) provide engaging experiments that tap into student curiosity, (2) emphasize topics that students find challenging in the general chemistry lecture course, and (3) create a laboratory environment that encourages students to “solve puzzles” or “play” with course content and not just “follow recipes.” The laboratory manual represents a terrific opportunity to get students turned on to science while creating an environment that connects the relevance of the experiments to a greater understanding of their world. This manual has been written to provide instructors with tools that engage students, while providing important connections to the material covered in an atoms-first lecture course.

Dr. Julia Burdge did most of her undergraduate work at Iowa State University, completing her bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in inorganic chemistry at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She earned her Ph.D. in analytical chemistry at the University of Idaho. Her Master’s and doctoral research involved the development of chemotherapeutic analogs of cisplatin and the development of instruments and methods for measuring ultra-trace concentrations of atmospheric sulfur compounds. Over the past 20 years, she has taught introductory and advanced courses in every division of the undergraduate chemistry curriculum, as well as interdisciplinary courses. She also developed and taught a new introductory chemistry course for pre-service science teachers, and initiated and served as a mentor in a future faculty development program for graduate students and post-doctoral associates. She is currently affiliated with the University of Idaho.

Jason Overby received his B.S. degree in chemistry and political science from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He then received his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from Vanderbilt University (1997) studying main group and transition metal metallocenes and related compounds. Afterwards, Jason conducted postdoctoral research in transition metal organometallic chemistry at Dartmouth College. Jason began his academic career at the College of Charleston in 1999 as an assistant professor. Currently, he is an associate professor with teaching interests in general and inorganic chemistry. He is also interested in the integration of technology into the classroom, including the use of online homework. Additionally, he conducts research with undergraduates in inorganic and organic synthetic chemistry as well as computational organometallic chemistry.