Role of Teaching Assistants in NKU Organic Chemistry Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Labs

Abstract

"In the traditional lab setting, many organic chemistry students find themselves following step-by-step instructions provided by the instructor and/or lab manual. This method does not allow the student to fully understand the underlying concepts or learn to problem solve in the lab. Course- Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) labs allow students to think critically about the science behind what they are doing, and problem solve along the way. However, running such a complex lab has proven too difficult for a single instructor, thus requiring the help of two teaching assistants to help with the utilization of important lab equipment as well as general lab procedures and protocols."