CHEM 237 Intermediate Laboratory Investigations (2 Credits)
South Dakota State University
Spring 2016
Instructors:
Jihong Cole-Dai, SAV 242 (Phone: 605-688-4744; Email: Jihong.Cole-Dai@sdstate.edu)
Tanya Gupta, SAV 361 (Phone: 605-688-5328; Email: Tanya.Gupta@sdstate.edu)
George Opoku-Kusi, (Phone: 605-688-4598; Email: george.opoku-kusi@sdstate.edu)
Teaching
Assistant:
Time:
Section 01: TuTh 8:00-10:50 am; Section 02: TuTh 2:00-4:50 pm
Locations:
SAV North research labs; Weekly (first 30 minutes on Tuesdays) meetings: SAV 378
Prerequisites: CHEM 229 and 229L, or CHEM 328 and 328L
Description: This laboratory research course is the culmination of the first- and second-year chemistry
coursework. Students will experience the scientific process by which new knowledge is discovered and
developed in chemistry and biochemistry and related disciplines.
Objectives:
This course satisfies System Goal (SGR) #6 in graduation requirements. The most important
course objective is learning the process of scientific research. Significant outcomes for students include
(1) the appropriate application of the basic concepts, theories, and practices of chemistry and biochemistry;
(2) proficiency in the research process with the design and completion of original research projects;
(3) the ability to gather and critically evaluate experimental data, and to summarize results;
(4) adequate knowledge of the selected research topics or issues; and
(5) critical communications and team-work skills essential to research.
Instruction Method: A team consisting two or three students will select one among topics offered by
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty researchers (see Table 1). Each team will formulate and
plan a research project on that topic with faculty guidance. In collaboration with the faculty researcher and/or
research lab personnel, students will perform designed experiments to collect, analyze and interpret data.
Students will have supervised access to research labs and instrumentation. Weekly meetings with course
instructors are required to evaluate progress in research and learning.
Table 1. Research Topics
Research Area
Faculty
Topic
Biochemistry
A. Hoppe
Quantitative analysis of endocytosis by molecular imaging
High-throughput image-based screening to discover modulators
Biochemistry
S. Iram
and substrates of drug transporter protein
Organic and
Mining ZINC database for pharmacophore targeting pancreatic
F. Halaweish
Materials
cancer
Organic and
Design and synthesis of alkyne-estrone analogs targeting colon
F. Halaweish
Materials
cancer: click chemistry approach
Organic and
C. Zhang
Catalytic conversion of biomass to gasoline
Materials
Analytical and
Dating polar ice cores with seasonal variations of snow chemical
J. Cole-Dai
Environmental
composition
Analytical and
Development of an HPLC technique for analysis of 3-mercaptoB. Logue
Environmental
pyruvate, a next generation cyanide antidote, from plasma
The effect of uniform ice formation during the initial stages of ICE
Analytical and
B. Logue
Concentration Linked with Extractive Stirrer (ICECLES) sample
Environmental
preparation
Analytical and
D. Raynie
Measurements with deep eutectic solvents
Environmental
Analytical and
J. Rice
Lipid surfactants in natural organic matter
Environmental
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Required Materials: A research notebook is required of each student to document the research process and
activities. Students must be able to communicate with instructors and research advisors on a routine basis,
using appropriate communication tools including computer hardware and software.
Grades and Point Distribution:
Letter grades for the course will be based on the following scale:
A
90.1-100%
B
80.1-90.0%
C
70.1-80.0%
D
60.1-70.0%
F
0-60.0%
Activities and point distribution:
Research Proposal.......................................................75 points
Weekly Meetings.......................................................150 points
Reflections on Learning...............................................50 points
Progress Reports………………………………………30 points
Poster Presentation……..............................................60 points
Conference Oral Presentation......................................60 points
Journal Article...…......................................................75 points
Total…………...........................................................500 points
Performance Assessment:
1. Research Proposal (75 points; 25 for literature review, 50 for proposal)
Each team is to develop a proposal for the research. The written proposal (3-4 pages) is an explanation
and justification of the research project and and outline of the process and contains the following elements:
 the scientific rationale and significance of the proposed research topic (the Why);
 the objective(s) of the proposed research and/or the hypothesis to test (the What);
 the methodology (experimental approach, materials, equipment) and planned activities with
timelines to carry out the research project (the How).
To describe the rationale and significance of the research (the answer to the Why question), students are to
perform a literature review – reading and summarizing several published papers related to the research topic.
A written report of the review will summarize the following in one key paper:
 significance of the research;
 objective(s) of the research project;
 methodology used in project (important processes, samples, techniques and instrumentation);
 type of data gathered and data analysis; and
 key conclusions.
A draft (25 points) of the proposal along with the literature report is due Thursday, January 21. The draft
proposals will be evaluated Tuesday, January 26. The finalized proposal (25 points) is due Thursday, January
28.
2. Weekly Group Meetings (30 points/week×5 weeks =150 points)
Each section will meet with the instructor(s) in the first 30 minutes of Tuesdays beginning in the third
week. The following activities are to take place during a meeting.
 Half of the student teams will report on research progress, by describing lab activities, observations,
and data gathered. Descriptions should be detailed and supported with data tables, illustrative
data/graph printouts, and/or photographs. The presentation should end with a brief summary and
outlook for continuing work. The other student teams will present their work the following week.
 Presentations will be graded (10 points) by all students and instructors. The presenters will receive
the average score as grade.
 Presentations will be followed with questions, comments and suggestions (feedback) from all
students and instructors. Critical and important feedback and recommendations to proceed and
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improve the execution of the research projects are to be documented by the presenting students in
their lab notebooks (10 points).
 Attendance and participation will be graded (10 points).
3. Reflections on Learning (10 points/submission×5 submissions = 50 points)
Students are required to use a diary-style writing (could be written in the lab notebook) to record and
reflect on progress in learning or professional growth (i.e., acquisition of, or improvement in, specific
research skills and content knowledge about the research topic and about chemistry). The learnings writings
are collected and graded on a bi-weekly schedule, alternating with research progress presentation.
4. Progress Reports (15 points/report×2 reports = 30 points)
Students are to write and submit two reports, at the mid-point and near the end of the semester,
documenting and summarizing the progress of the project to date. Instructions on how to prepare progress
reports will be given in handouts. The reports are due on dates specified in the activity schedule.
5. Poster Presentation (60 points; 30 for poster; 30 for participation and engagement at event)
Near the end of the semester and completion of the research project, students will prepare a poster for
presentation of research results at a research or scholarly event (most likely the SDSU Undergraduate
Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Day or URSCAD). Attendance at the event is required;
engagement and interaction with poster viewers will be graded.
6. Oral Conference Presentation (60 points, grading rubrics available)
A research conference will be held in Week 16 (April 25-29) at the Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry. Each student team will make oral presentation of research results to the conference audience
(most likely students and faculty of the department), who will evaluate the quality of the research and of the
presentation.
7. Journal Article (75 points, grading rubrics available)
Students are required to write a manuscript describing the research, summarizing the results and
presenting conclusions. The manuscript is to be prepared for submission to a peer-reviewed journal in the
appropriate discipline for publication. Students are encouraged to begin writing (drafting and revising) the
article at least three weeks before the due date – the last day of the final exam week (May 6).
Attendance: Attendance at the research labs and weekly meetings is mandatory. More than one unexcused
absence from research and regular meetings will result in a failing grade in the course.
Make-up Policy: Submission of required materials (proposals, reports, and research products) must follow the
schedule to maintain research progress. Team members are responsible for the full participation by each
member in the work of the team.
Lab Safety Policy: Students must observe all lab rules and regulations regarding chemicals and personal safety.
Appropriate clothing is required whenever students are in research labs. Shorts, sleeve-less tops, sandals or open
toed shoes are not to be worn in lab. Students who do not follow this dress code will not be permitted to work in
the research labs. No food or drink is allowed in the labs at any time.
Accommodations: If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in
order to participate in this class, please inform me and make the appropriate arrangements with the Office of
Disability Services which is located in 110 West Hall. To schedule an appointment call 605-688-4504 and
request to speak with the Coordinator of Disability Services.
Academic Integrity and Appeals: SDSU has a clear expectation for academic integrity and does not tolerate
academic dishonesty. University Policy 2.4 sets forth the definitions of academic dishonesty, which includes,
but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, misrepresentation, and
other forms of dishonesty relating to academics. The Policy and its Procedures also set forth how charges of
academic dishonesty are handled at the University. Academic dishonesty is strictly proscribed and if found may
result in student discipline up to and including dismissal from the University.
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Board of Regents Academic Freedom and Responsibility Policy: Freedom in learning. Students are
responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled. Under Board of Regents
and University policy, student academic performance shall be evaluated solely on an academic basis and
students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study. Students
who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but is related instead to judgment of
their personal opinion or conduct should first contact the instructor of the course. If the student remains
unsatisfied, the student may contact the department head and/or dean of the college which offers the class to
initiate a review of the evaluation.
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CHEM 237 Intermediate Laboratory Investigations (2 Credits)
South Dakota State University
Spring 2016
ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
Week
1
Jan. 12,14
2
Jan. 19,21
3
Jan. 26,28
4-8
9
Mar. 7-11
10
Mar. 15,17
11-14
14
April 12,14
15
April 19,21
16
April 26,28
17
May 6
Activity
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Course introduction
Faculty presentation of research topics
Outlining the research process
Team organizing and selection of team research topic
Consultation with faculty mentor on research topic and literature
Discussion on exploratory research vs. hypothesis testing
Consultation with faculty and research lab personnel on initial hypothesis and
project design
Completion of the draft of research proposal and literature review report
Introduction to research labs
Group meeting: topic review, hypothesis and project discussion
Evaluation and revision of proposal
Completion of research proposal
Research plan execution – performing experiments, gathering and evaluating
data
Weekly meetings: project progress, hypothesis assessment and revision
First progress report due Thursday, March 3 (Week 8)
Spring Break
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Group evaluation of research progress
Assessment and revision of research plan
Revised research plan execution
Data analysis and interpretation
Weekly meetings: project progress and data analysis
Completion of lab experiments
Drafting research poster
Second progress report due Thursday, April 14 (Week 14)
Completion of data analysis
Summary of results and conclusions
Finalizing research poster
Poster presentation
Beginning of drafting journal article
Scientific conference presentation
Continued drafting and revision of journal article
 Completion and submission of journal article
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