Senior chemistry capstone experience at the University of Evansville:  Lessons in life-long learning, professionalism, and

philanthropyKristy K. Miller Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Chair

Department of Chemistry

Overview• Background

• The University of Evansville• Department of Chemistry

• Senior Chemistry Capstone Course Overview

• Learning Outcomes and Assessment

• Unexpected Outcomes

• Student Attitudes/Opinions

• Impact on Department of Chemistry

The University of Evansville• Established in 1854

• Located in Southwestern Indiana

• Private, comprehensive university with strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences

• 2600 students

• ~$120 million endowment

The Department of Chemistry

• ACS approved

• 6 tenure/tenure track faculty• 1 lab supervisor• 1 stockroom clerk• 1 administrative

assistant

• 50-60 chemistry/biochemistry majors (freshman-senior)

Senior Chemistry Capstone Course• Spring semester

of senior year

• General education requirement

• 2nd year for course• Implemented in

2013

Senior Chemistry Capstone Course• Professional Development/Resume Writing

• Guest speaker: UE Career Services

• Chemical Hygiene and Safety• Guest speaker: Manager of UE Risk/Environmental

Services

• Ethics

• *Philanthropy to the Discipline*

• Book Reviews• The Disappearing Spoon (Sam Kean)• The Idea Factor: Bell Labs and the Great Age of

American Innovation (Jon Gertner)• Uncle Tungsten: Memories of Chemical Boyhood

(Oliver Sacks)

Senior Chemistry Capstone Course• Thesis Project

• Presentation (research, internship or review topic)

• Group Project• “If given $1 million, develop a well-defined research

project and specific objectives that address the project”

• Oral Exam

• ACS DUCK Exam

Assessment

• WHERE STUDENTS END UP AFTER GRADUATION!• 97.4% (38/39) of students who graduated within the

last 5 years are doing something related to their degree

ACS DUCK Exam

  20-29/60 30-39/60 40-49/60 50-60/60

2013 1 2 0 3

2014 3 3 2 1

Group Project  not acceptable novice competent accomplished optimal

2013 0 0 0 2 4

2014 0 0 0   9

Oral Exam  poor developing competent exemplary

2013 1 1 4 0

2014 0 0 2 7

Unexpected Outcomes• Commitment to

philanthropy• Class of 2013

contribution to Weller Fund for NMR ($250)

• Student recruitment • Utilizing students as

chemistry ambassadors

• Incoming class of chemistry students up 250% from last two years (20 freshman chemistry majors)

“Old” JEOL 300 “New” Bruker 400

Class of 2013

Student Attitudes/Opinions• Overall positive opinion regarding

course

• Most beneficial (although maybe “painful”)• Group Project

• Teamwork• Creativity, out of the box thinking

• Oral Exam• Thinking on feet• Handling intimidation

• Philanthropic awareness

Impact on Department of Chemistry• Continued

commitment to philanthropy from alumni and students• Alumni challenged

seniors (and other graduates/donors) to 3:1 match• Class of 2014

raised $650• Allowed for

purchase of 3 new rotovaps

• Alumni student relationships

Alumni speaking to capstone classRotovap

Class of 2014

What’s Next for Chemistry Capstone?

• Moving course to Fall instead of Spring

• Field Trips • Local industries• Universities

• Department of Chemistry Social• After Annual Science Advisory Council Weekend• Targeting Recent Chemistry Graduates

• 1:1 challenge match made by “older” alumni

• Environmental Risk/Safety Project

Acknowledgements• Office of Career Services

• Environmental Services

• Office of Development and Alumni Relations

• Students, Alumni, and Friends of the UE Department of Chemistry

Thank You!

Questions?