Beyond Google: Integrating Chemical Information into the Undergraduate Chemistry and Biochemistry Curriculum

Abstract

At the University of California, Los Angeles, chemical information instruction focuses on partnering with faculty and teaching assistants in integrating the basics into three laboratory courses taken sequentially by chemistry and biochemistry majors. Resources covered include many recommended in “Information Competencies for Chemistry Undergraduates: The Elements of Information Literacy” (http://units.sla.org/division/dche/il/cheminfolit.pdf). Instructional activities feature guided exercises in small laboratory sections and occasional large group lectures. An instructional resources website encompasses library resources for chemistry and biochemistry, chemical and biomolecular engineering, and materials science and engineering. Web pages for classes provide guided exercises, including an organic chemystery for journal abbreviations, postlab assignments, lecture notes, and links for resources.

Keywords:

• CASSI
• chemical information competencies
• Reaxys
• information literacy for scientific disciplines
• learning spaces
• Science of Synthesis
• SciFinder
• Organic Syntheses
• XCTIR