This not only provides the structure necessary for long-term retention, but also provides students with an intellectual breadth that can never be achieved by rote learning of equations and unrelated details. Maintain high standard s on both an academic and on a personal level. Expectations are made clear by providing assignments that consistently emphasize critical thinking and problem solving ability. Standardized American Chemical Society final exams are used to ensure that course content and outcome is consistent with national standards. Use visual keys and metaphors.
Students think visually.
Contrast is used to differentiate related but commonly confused concepts. Classic experiments and instruments are reduced to schematic form if necessary to prevent the underlying principles from being obscured by technological refinements. Get it right. Solve real problems. Emphasize interdisciplinary connections, particularly those with industry, medicine, and the environmental sciences.