CHEM 491-494: Department Seminar
Section
001-002-003-004, Course# 21017-21018-21019-21020; 0.0 Credit Hr. – Spring 2022
Time/Location:
11:00 - 12:00 R (hybrid, synchronous instruction), Sims 105 or Zoom
Professor: Dr. Maria C. Gelabert, gelabertm@winthrop.edu
Office/Phone:
314A Sims Science Building/323-4939
Office
Hours – M 12:30-1:30 (Sims 305) F 3:30-4:30 (Zoom) or by
appointment
Prerequisites:
Grade of C or better in CHEM 301
Registration Calendar (important dates for registration, S/U, graduation, etc.)
Seminars
play a critical role in science, providing a venue for public dissemination of
scientific methods, results and advances. Seminars also provide
"networking" opportunities through face-to-face contact. A
typical seminar usually involves an introduction of the speaker, a presentation
by the speaker followed by a time for questions and discussion. The
department typically seeks speakers from other universities, industries and
government agencies to provide students with a broad perspective of the
chemistry enterprise. You'll likely be attending scientific seminars
throughout your career (and/or presenting your own), regardless of your chosen
field.
The
goal of the seminar program is to give students opportunities to interact with
scientists and researchers outside (sometimes within) the university. In
some respects, chemistry has a "culture" of its own. Seminars
often provide chemistry students a sense of this culture. These interactions
can lead students to consider careers not previously contemplated.
Sometimes, speakers set aside time after the seminar to meet with and talk to
students in a smaller group or individual setting. And sometimes, a
student might learn about a summer or job opportunity...internship, fellowship,
cooperative experience, post-graduate opportunity, etc. The seminar program is
often key for development of future career opportunities.
You
are expected to attend each class meeting for the full scheduled time. Zoom-only
seminars may be recorded as the speaker permits. Sims 105 seminars will generally
not be recorded, but only live-streamed on Zoom for students and visitors
joining remotely. Please stay posted with course announcements and syllabus
changes as technology details unfold.
Seminar is
required for all chemistry degree programs. For satisfactory completion of
the course, just remember 6 – 5 – 4:
·
Attend ALL six (6) scheduled seminars for the entire time.
(The point is to attend….)
·
Submit a brief summary of at least five (5) seminars to
Blackboard, focused on the points below; assignments may be in prose or bullet
form: clear, detailed and well-written.
®
Summarize the talk content
®
In a few sentences, describe something from the talk
that was new and/or especially interesting to you
®
Describe something from the talk that is especially
relevant to your career
·
Attend four (4) out of five (5) F2F seminars in Sims 105;
signups are in Blackboard
The
course is graded S/U.
Winthrop
University's faculty adopted a set of four University Level Competencies (ULCs)
that describe the qualities our students develop during their Winthrop
career. It is easy to see that the seminar topics involve solving
problems and developing written/oral communication skills. However, you
will also learn the responsibilities of chemists to the greater good of our
planet and society, as well as the global nature of chemistry. Within the
discussions of the seminars, I think you will find this course fits well with
all four competencies.
Competency 1: Winthrop
graduates think critically and solve problems. This course asks you to take in
relevant information from multiple viewpoints. The variety of seminars allow
you to see broad context, examining how others think through and critically
solve problems.
Competency 2: Winthrop
graduates are personally and socially responsible. In this course, you will
learn about the perspectives of others, and reflect on your experience and
learning process, giving you a greater sense of inclusion within the chemistry
community, as well as broader scientific community.
Competency 3: Winthrop
graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world and the time in
which they live. In this course, you’ll better understand context of
discipline, and come to recognize your own potential career path in connection
to other fields. You are engaging with your peers and other members of diverse
academic, professional, and cultural communities as informed, active citizens.
Competency 4: Winthrop
graduates communicate effectively. This course asks you to communicate in
written and online form, to interact with others and to practice writing
organized synopses for the formal assignments.
By
the end of the course, you will:
·
Have an understanding of how scientific seminars are
presented.
·
Understand the role of the seminar in disseminating scientific
information.
·
Have a broader understanding of oral presentation methods and
skills.
·
Develop a sense of the culture of the chemistry enterprise and its
role in society and our world.
·
Develop a wide appreciation of the topics that chemistry
touches.
Plan
to be “present” in the course by logging in regularly, updating your calendar
as needed and completing all the online assignments by their due dates. It is
essential that you use your Winthrop email account for communication in this
course. I usually respond within 24 hours except during the weekends. For
backup purposes, compose assignments in a word processor, then copy and paste
the text (or attach file).
Many
students find that responsibilities for online courses differ significantly
from traditional courses. The following statements outline some of your basic
responsibilities for this course, developed as online due to the COVID-19
pandemic. If you believe you will have difficulty meeting these
responsibilities, it is essential that we find a way to maximize your learning
experience. Please be in contact with me about any challenges, and pledge the
following:
1. I will ask
questions immediately if I don't understand the instructions or due dates for
assignments.
2. I will organize
my time in order to complete my assignments in a thoughtful and timely manner.
3. I understand
that failure of technology is not an excuse for absences or late assignments.
4. I will review
the technical support information in the Blackboard Tutorials & Campus
Resources, contacting support services as needed.
5. I understand
that there are other sources of technology for me to use if my primary source
fails, such as libraries, campus labs, or friends' computers.
6. I will
participate fully in seminars by attendance, attention, and asking questions of
the speakers to promote discussion, and contributing to Discussion Forums.
7. I will log in
to class regularly and spend an appropriate amount of time completing course
materials.
As
noted in the Student Conduct Code: ''Responsibility for good conduct rests with
students as adult individuals.'' The policy on student academic misconduct is
outlined in Section V of the Student
Conduct Code in the online Student Handbook
Winthrop
University is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a
disability and require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact
the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 803-323-3290 or, accessibility@winthrop.edu. Once you have your official notice of accommodations from the
Office of Disability Services, please inform me as early as possible in the
semester.
Students
who are enrolled in online courses are entitled to the same campus resources
available to on-campus students. These resources included admissions
counseling, library, student services, and recreational facilities. A list of
these resources is provided in the Blackboard Tutorials & Campus
Resources, found in Blackboard.
I
reserve the right to update and edit this syllabus as necessary, including
assignments, seminars added/rescheduled, and policies. You will be notified
immediately of any such changes.
Seminar
Calendar
|
Date |
Topic |
|
January 13 Sims 105 |
Syllabus
and Introduction |
|
January 20 |
|
|
Sims 105 |
Dr.
Catherine Rushton, Marshall University, Huntington, WV Forensic
Science Careers at Marshall |
|
Sims 105 |
Dr.
Jay Hanna Visible-Light-Promoted Additions of Organoborates
to Imines |
|
February
10 |
|
|
Sims 105 |
Dr.
Kurt Wargo, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy,
Clinton, SC Pharmacy
Careers at Presbyterian College |
|
Dr.
Rodrigo Noriega, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT Laser
Spectroscopy for Materials Development |
|
|
March
3 |
|
|
Sims 105 |
Dr.
Timea Fernandez, TBA Dr.
Aaron Hartel, TBA |
|
March
17 |
No
Class - Spring Break |
|
March
24 |
|
|
March
31 |
|
|
April
7 |
|
|
April
14 |
|
|
Sims 105 |
Dr.
Brian Long, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN Make it or Break it: The Power of Polymer Chemistry in Applied
Membrane Science |