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Mission Statement

The Chemistry Department at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University strives to provide an excellent education in chemistry within a liberal arts tradition for a variety of learners. We design our program to help students understand that chemistry is a way of thinking about how matter is constructed, organized, and functions. In accord with the Benedictine tradition of these two institutions, we build this chemical foundation in a context that helps students become scientifically responsible citizens, with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that will allow them to be successful in scientific or non-scientific professions. We accomplish this by providing students with a variety of learning opportunities such as formal courses with integrated laboratories, hands-on experiences with modern instrumentation and computers, research projects and seminar programs. We carry out this mission in an atmosphere of support and encouragement for both students and staff.

Goals

Through a variety of learning opportunities, our students will develop:

  1. a knowledge-base necessary to understand chemistry as a varied and central dimension of contemporary life
  2. the technical and intellectual skills necessary to facilitate creative problem solving, and
  3. The attitudes and values that foster a continuing discourse about science and its role in multicultural societies.
    (March 18, 1994 version)

Goals and Objectives

Through a variety of learning opportunities, our students will develop:

Goal 1: a knowledge-base necessary to understand chemistry as a varied and central dimension of contemporary life

Objective a: Basic chemical knowledge and its structure: to develop a foundation in the concept and facts in all areas of chemistry and to be familiar with various ways of organizing and accessing scientific knowledge

  • knowledge as a foundation of research
  • periodicity
  • tables of data
  • graphs
  • mathematical relationships
  • theories

Objective b: Scientific methodology: to understand the methods and limitations of science and what distinguishes science from other modes of inquiry

Objective c: Evolutionary nature of chemistry: to become aware of past and emerging development and issues in chemistry and to place scientific discoveries in a historical and societal context

  • influence of gender and minority issues on the evolution of science
  • current literature
  • seminars
  • inclusion of unusually exciting occurrences

Goal 2: the technical and intellectual skills necessary to facilitate creative problem solving

Objective a: Technical skills

  • Computational skills: to increase proficiency in using math as a language
    1. verbalize mathematics
    2. translate words into math
    3. appropriate use of fundamental math techniques
  • Lab skills: to develop proficiency in techniques to gather meaningful data
    1. skill in use of lab equipment and instruments
    2. choice of appropriate technique
    3. manipulative efficiency
    4. observation skills
    5. safety
  • Library skills: to increase proficiency in information retrieval
    1. search (electronic and print media)
    2. use of literature
  • Computer skills: to increase proficiency in use of computers
    1. types of software
    2. computer modeling
    3. appropriate uses
    4. communication
  • Communication skills: to exchange ideas effectively and efficiently by correct usage of terminology and nomenclature
    1. writing
    2. reading
    3. listening
    4. speaking
    5. presentation of information
  • Group dynamics: to work effectively as a team member to accomplish a task
    1. recognize roles
    2. contribution of team members
    3. team work

Objective b: Thinking skills

  • Organize: to develop skills to enable one to organize knowledge and information
    1. classification
    2. alternative to memorization
  • Reason: to develop logical and quantitative reasoning skills
    1. drawing generalizations
    2. working with models
    3. use of mathematical models
    4. inductive/deductive reasoning
  • Analyze: to take new knowledge apart and evaluate it based on prior knowledge
    1. limitations of theories
    2. criticize theories
    3. data analysis

Objective c: Creative problem solving

  • Synthesize: to create new knowledge based on prior knowledge
    1. derive relationships
    2. development of mathematical model from data
    3. modeling (e.g., computer modeling)
    4. prediction from models
  • Integrate: to connect new knowledge with prior knowledge
    1. commonalties
    2. connections
    3. the "big picture
  • Design: to formulate important questions; design and evaluate methods for answering them
    1. design an experiment
    2. recognize variables
    3. evaluate experiment
    4. relate theory to design
    5. design a search strategy
  • Problem solving: to develop processes necessary for solving problems and making decisions
    1. brainstorm
    2. analyze problem or question
    3. plan solution
    4. evaluate solution

Goal 3: the attitudes and values that foster a continuing discourse about science and its role in multicultural societies

Objective a: Applications of attitudes and values

  • Society: to integrate personal and societal values into technological issues
    1. relationship of scientific and societal issues
    2. ethical waste disposal
    3. influence of personal values on science
  • Gender: to be sensitive to gender related and minority issues
    1. creation of a supportive environment for all students
    2. recognition that science is accessible to all

Objective b: Development of attitudes and values

  • Excitement: to foster enthusiasm and enjoyment for learning chemistry
  • Confidence: to realistically appraise strengths and weaknesses
    1. willingness to take a risk
    2. creation of supportive environment
    3. encouragement of students at all levels
  • Flexibility, ambiguity: to encourage flexibility that enables one to handle ambiguity
    1. willingness to explore alternative views
    2. comfort in dealing with open-ended questions
    3. ability to tolerate change
    4. ability to respond positively to an intellectual challenge
  • Independent learning: to take personal responsibility for learning
  • Work ethic, motivation: to encourage and reward perseverance in learning
    1. recognition that learning requires work
    2. benefits of learning are not necessarily a grade
    3. experience the satisfaction of learning
  • Curiosity, inquiry: to encourage curiosity that leads to further inquiry
    • all questions encouraged