Exploring Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry I is a popular course at Grinnell. Taught by Associate Professor of Chemistry Erick Leggans, this hands-on course covers the basics of organic chemistry. He says it is often a critical turning point in students’ studies at Grinnell, frequently influencing their choice of major.
Organic Chemistry I (CHM 221) is a collaborative course in which you work with other students during labs to practice teamwork, study scientific concepts, and support one another. The course focuses on structures, reactions, synthesis, and spectroscopy of compounds. You will familiarize yourself with procedures, practice documentation, and gain hands-on experience with tools and materials used in a chemistry lab.
A Non-traditional Approach
CHM 221 is an innovative course, taught in a non-traditional way. Leggans stresses the relationships among the structures and processes that make reactions happen, rather than concentrating on how the experiment results display the process.
This course embodies the liberal arts ethos in that it is writing-intensive, Leggans says. CHM 221 combines experiments and investigation with writing, allowing students to act as researchers, presenting their findings in long-term writing assignments. These research projects are faculty-led and collaborative, allowing you to practice your scientific reporting and writing skills simultaneously. You’ll be encouraged to think about the relationships among different processes and functions rather than simply memorizing the information.
Unique Opportunities
Students who have taken CHM 221 often follow up with Organic Chemistry II, having learned the skills needed to advance within the major. CHM 221 can also be seen as a stepping stone to the next level in the field and may even prepare you for a Mentored Advanced Project (MAP) in the chemistry department. Students wrap up their MAPs by presenting their research findings at regional and national conferences. After graduation, many students go to professional or graduate school, Leggans says. Successfully completing an undergraduate research project such as a MAP allows students to seek out further opportunities at the local, national, or international levels.
Students taking CHM 221 report that Leggans is an approachable and supportive teacher who makes learning organic chemistry fun. Organic chemistry can be a challenging course but having an encouraging and engaging professor can make all the difference.