JCE Online Journal of Chemical Education
 | Subscriptions  | Software Orders  | Support  | Contributors  | Advertisers  | 

JCE Print
   Current Issue
 Previous Issues
 Supplements
 Search JCE Index

JCE Digital Library
   DigiDemos
 QBank
 SymMath
 WebWare

JCE Software
   Latest Releases
 Software & Video
 Downloads
 Support

Only@JCE Online
   JCE Online Store
 JCE HS CLIC
 JCE Discussion Forums
   Biographical Snapshots
 ChemEd Resource Shelf
 Featured Molecules
 Hal's Picks
 Project Chemlab
 Reviewed WWW Sites
 "Web-Ed" Articles

About JCE
   Features
 Publications
 Operations
 Outreach
 Contact Us


  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1997  > May  >
In the Laboratory
Projects in the Physical Chemistry Laboratory: Letting the Students Choose
Paul D. Buckley, Kenneth W. Jolley, and Ian D. Watson
Department of Chemistry, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Cover
May 1997
Vol. 74 No. 5
p. 549
Abstract
In a twelve week Physical Chemistry laboratory course half the time is spent on a standard set of rotation experiments and half on a project of the students own choosing. The students are told that they must only use equipment available within the department and chemicals that are either in the department or which can be ordered on a strictly limited budget. These restriction provide valuable experience in planning research work using limited resources. Initially the projects are based on an article in the literature or on an experiment in a Laboratory Manual and only after successfully repeating the published procedure is the project extended into new areas. Each student gives a short talk outlining the planned experiments before the experimental work begins and/or one presenting the results at the end. A positive attitude to problem solving is encouraged. Successful problem solving is identified through regular review by the class of progress in each project. Students report finding the project a rewarding and challenging experience. The laboratory course is now a more satisfying experience for both staff and students.
More Information
*  Citation
 Buckley, Paul D.; Jolley, Kenneth W.; Watson, Ian D. J. Chem. Educ. 1997 74 549.
*  Keywords
 Physical Chemistry, Teaching/Learning Aids, Laboratory Instruction
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 July 28, 1999
June 23, 2005
<< Previous Article Table of Contents Next Article >>
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1997 > May > Page 549


Subscriptions
 Subscription Info
 Order Forms

JCE HS CLIC

Our Secondary School editors work hard to distill all the JCE materials to produce a fraction of particular interest to high school teachers. We call it CLIC.
 JCE HS CLIC

Contributions Welcome
JCE welcomes your submission
 Contributors' Corner

Advertisers
In recent years we have worked hard to better match our advertisers with our readers. When shopping for chemistry education materials, visit our advertisers' WWW sites first.
 Recent Advertisers

Be An Ambassador
Take JCE along on your outreach missions. Copies of the Journal, guest access to JCE Online, our publications catalog, and more are available for your participants.
 Outreach with JCE

Comments to
jceonline@chem.wisc.edu		 Copyright © Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society.
All rights reserved.