Enhancing Interest, Enthusiasm, and Performance in the Beginning Organic Chemistry Course: History, Biography, and Polymer Science

The importance of polymeric materials in modern society is immense. The development of such materials in the 1930s and the rapid commercialization after World War II has had a dramatic impact on the well-being of most citizens in the world. The high standard of living found in many countries would not have been possible without this development. Yet, polymer science does not yet occupy a prominent place in the B.S. Chemistry curriculum at most U.S. academic institutions. The Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society has recognized the importance of polymer science and has made some feeble attempts to encourage its incorporation into the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. However, as yet, its guidelines for ACS-approval do not require a formal course in polymer science. Nonetheless, polymer science may be effectively included in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. Most particularly, this can be done in the beginning organic chemistry course. This can begin as early as the third week of the first semester with the treatment of alkene chemistry and continue through a discussion of carboxylic acid derivatives in the second semester. This approach has been successfully utilized to generate student enthusiasm (many students are woefully unaware of the impact of polymer science on their daily lives) and enhance performance in the course. Aside from the chemistry involved, a description of milestones in the development of polymer science and the lives of prominent scientists involved serve to stimulate student interest.