The increasingly multidisciplinary nature of chemistry

1. American Chemical Society The increasingly multidisciplinary nature of chemistry Joseph S. Francisco William E. Moore Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Purdue University 2010 President, American Chemical Society

2. Recruiting and Educating New Chemists • Challenge students to find solutions to Chemistry’s problems • New chemists are needed to solve our problems – Environment – Catalysis – Energy – Drug Discovery and Synthesis – Materials – Nanoscience • If we present these needsand challenges to students, we can attract them into the chemical sciences to meet critical human needs. American Chemical Society

3. What skills should out students have? • Expertise in a domain • Breadth of scientific knowledge • Ability to solve problems • Find and define new problems • Teamwork skills • Oral, visual, and written communication skills • Confidence and independence • Creativity American Chemical Society

4. The Chemistry Profession is Changing

5. Does Our Curriculum Achieve These Goals? American Chemical Society

6. What skills should out students have? • Expertise in a domain • Breadth of scientific knowledge • Ability to solve problems • Find and define new problems • Teamwork skills • Oral, visual, and written communication skills • Confidence and independence • Creativity Working across cultures American Chemical Society

7. Preparing Undergraduates: Chemistry of the Future American Chemical Society Does one course fit All in the Future? Given the economics climate, the employers are looking for a “well-rounded” chemist who is ready to do experiments, and at the same time run his/ her team. This would mean our undergraduate should have course work not only in chemistry but also have exposure to skills that will enable them to function in a business environment. Students who have multidisciplinary exposure or experiences will be more attractive to any employer. At the same time there is no compromise in their area of specialty. CPT needs additional metrics to assess the development of student skills and the overall excellence and the rigor of a program)

8. American Chemical Society 2008 ACS Guidelines and Beyond

9. Opportunities • Increased curricular flexibility • Increased ability for programs to innovate while maintaining ACS approval American Chemical Society

10. A Paradigm-Shift • Shift Curriculum Responsibility – From CPT to Departments • Redefine How Chemistry is Taught – New textbooks (Can the foundations of organic and physical chemistry be laid down in one semester?) • Create New Vision of an ACS Certified Chemist American Chemical Society

11. Big Question for Department and Programs Given the changes occurring in the chemistry profession and the changing expectations and skills being required by chemistry employers, What innovations could you introduce into your curriculum, under the proposed new ACS guidelines, that would help your future graduate be more competitive and marketable in the changing employment landscape? American Chemical Society

12. American Chemical Society

13. Challenges • Maintaining curricular rigor • Time to redesign and implement new curriculum/tracks • Breadth versus depth American Chemical Society

14. Thank You

15. American Chemical Society