Dr. James “JD” Mendez, assistant professor of chemistry and chemistry program coordinator, receives grant from the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Center for Teaching and Learning (IUPUI, CTL) to enhance the chemistry program curriculum. According to Mendez, he is working with IUPUI, CTL to develop an online chemistry course and “wants to ensure that online students receive an equally effective education when compared to on-campus courses.”

“The new course is an online version of Elementary Chemistry 1, which is a non-major introductory chemistry course. Typically this class is taken as a science elective by students not majoring in a science discipline and by science majors without high school chemistry experience” explains Mendez.

According to Mendez, in addition to the traditional online course materials such as online homework, discussion groups, and live chat sessions, students receive custom-made physical model kits. These models allow students to configure various atoms and molecules enabling them to view three-dimensional models of the covered topics. Mendez hopes this new approach to online chemistry will become a standard for future courses.

For information on degree programs at IUPUC, visit www.iupuc.edu or contact the Office of Recruitment and Admissions at 812.348.7390.