Month/Year of Graduation

5-2023

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Sachin Nedungadi

Abstract

Within University of Nebraska – Omaha (UNO) chemistry-based degree programs, organic chemistry along with at least two semesters of calculus are required courses. There is, however, no requirement for the order in which these courses should be taken. This is mainly due to the notion that for chemistry courses, organic chemistry is detached from the typical quantitative concepts studied in other chemistry-based courses. This is untrue, however, as many organic chemistry concepts rely on three-dimensional spatial visualizations and manipulations. Spatial awareness skills are strengthened within higher-level calculus classes. A survey was administered to organic chemistry students enrolled in 2022-2023. The students were surveyed and interviewed to determine correlations between taking calculus courses and grades received in the first semester of organic chemistry as well as their confidence levels toward concepts related to three-dimensional spatial visualizations. The results of this survey will be discussed to show the effects of taking calculus prior to taking organic chemistry and general student success with organic chemistry concepts.

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