Chemistry Department Meeting Minutes

March 25, 2005

2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

HBC – Room 301.7

 

 

In Attendance:  Debbie Sackett, Matiur Rahman, Chris Uzomba, Steve Kirschner, Anita Thurwachter, Ya-Ping Huang, Brad Herrick, Bill Cheek, Al Dumbuya, and Marilyn LeBlanc

 

¨      The meeting was opened by Chris welcoming everyone. 

 

¨      Paul Moorman, McGraw-Hill Publishing rep, gave a presentation on two Organic Chemistry textbooks, Carey, 6th edition and Smith, 1st edition.  He also gave an overview of “ChemCoach”, which is McGraw-Hill’s electronic homework solution for Organic Chemistry. 

 

¨      Chem 1405 Lab Unification

-     Chris thanked the committee for a job well done. 

-     Debbie presented the labs that the committee recommended, which included 10 wet labs and 2 dry labs.

-     Steve Kirschner made the motion that the department accept the committee’s recommendation.  Anita Thurwachter seconded the motion.

-     Matiur Rahman and Al Dumbuya objected to the Chromatography lab being included, since it did not receive as many votes by the department in general as other labs.

-     A vote was made to determine whether the department would offer 10 wet labs with 2 dry labs, including Chromatography, or 9 wet labs and 3 dry labs, not including Chromatography.  The 10 wet/2 dry won by a vote of 5 to 4.

 

¨      Distance Learning

-     ACC wants the Chemistry Department to add Chemistry distance learning classes to the schedule.  We would start with CHEM 1405.  Money will not be a problem.  Bill Cheek suggested a 3-hour lecture only with no lab.  Chris will look into this.  Discussion on this topic will be continued at the next meeting when more are in attendance.

 

¨      Presentation of Organic I and II Lab Unification

-     Chris will present what the committee has discussed at the next meeting.

 

¨      Closing of Organic Classes at RGC this Summer

-         Room 318 will be closed for the summer for repairs; therefore, the Organic Chemistries will be moved to NRG and RVS, and the Chem II 2nd half classes will be moved to PIN.

 

¨      Handicapped Students

-     The department needs to establish minimum physical standards for handicapped students.  It was suggested by several that we have someone from the OSD office and Safety attend the meeting when this is discussed to give advice and to make sure we stay within the law.