1. Problems and Solutions in the Undergraduate Biology Chemistry Curriculum: “UC2BS”

2. Problem: Inefficient Curriculum
Proposed Solution:
1 semester of General Chemistry
2 semesters of Organic Chemistry
1 semester of Biochemistry
Advantages:
Better preparation for UG research
Earlier preparation for advanced biology courses
Students prepared for pharmacy after 2 years

3. Possible Curricular Organizations
“Oberlin plan”
Students take quick survey of organic after 1–2 semesters of general chemistry
One-semester “specialty course” follows
“Purdue plan”
Curriculum relevant to biology/medicine from the start.
Justified by number of students (60% of 1000 students at Purdue taking organic are interested in some aspect of the life sciences)

4. Problem: Coherence of the Curriculum
Proposed Solution:
HHMI key personnel work together to ensure logical flow
Brought together by objectives of the HHMI grant

5. Problem: Content of the Courses
Proposed Solution (General Chemistry):
Stress aqueous solution chemistry relevant to biology and medicine, especially in kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium
Lay important foundations underlying quantitative techniques in biology

6. Problem: Content of the Courses
Proposed Solution (Organic Chemistry):
More emphasis on structure/reactivity
More emphasis on molecular properties and nonbonded interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonding, etc.)
Less emphasis on foundations of chemical synthesis
More emphasis on acid–base chemistry, acid–base analogies
Earlier introduction of relevant functional groups
Liberal use of biological and clinical examples
New MCATs (2013) will use HHMI/AAMC outcomes as basis

7. Problem: Laboratories
Proposed Solution:
More CASPiE sections available
Premise of CASPiE
Successes of CASPiE
Problem-oriented (Guided Design) labs rather than cookbook labs for other students

8. Problem: Learning Resource (Textbook)
Proposed Solution:
A new-generation on-line learning resource (“online text”)
Partnership with Sapling Learning (Austin, TX) and Roberts and Company Publishers
Subscription model eliminates paper/printing costs
Provides students with free downloadable and archivable instruction
On-line part provides animations, tutorials, graded on-line homework.

9. Problem: Assessment Proposed Solution:
An assessment plan for evaluating curriculum and resources (including support for assessment personnel)
Advisory panel

10. Role of Advisory Panel Keep us on track; react to ideas and brainstorm
Suggest CASPiE experiments
Answer the question, “I wish I had learned more about ______ when I was studying undergraduate chemistry.”
Answer the question, “What topics in my chemistry courses seem irrelevant today?”
Help identify biological and clinical cases that illustrate chemical principles.
Suggest relevant places in chemistry in which more quantitative reasoning relevant to biology and medicine can be introduced.