Chemistry Seminar Program

Chemistry Department

General Purpose of the Chemistry Seminar Program

To help students develop professional skills and attitudes of scientists.
To address issues of importance to scientists that typically do not fit well into traditional chemistry courses. (eg. scientific ethics, career issues, etc.)
To work in conjunction with academic advisors to help students appreciate the interconnections in the chemistry curriculum and develop and execute a plan to successfully complete graduation requirements in a timely fashion.
To further prepare students for the transition from their undergraduate experience to the next step in their careers as scientists.

To familiarize the students with the opportunities in and requirements for a career in chemistry or a chemistry-related field.
To encourage thought about those characteristics that contribute to the making of a good scientist and to emphasize how diversity of perspective and talents can help solve scientific problems.
To introduce ideas or topics of growing importance related to chemistry that are not typically covered in General Chemistry.
To familiarize the students with the people (especially their own classmates and the faculty) and the opportunities within the chemistry discipline at Truman State University.
To develop a better understanding of the chemistry curriculum and the chemistry degree worksheet and develop an academic plan to satisfy the requirements of the Liberal Studies Program and the Chemistry degree in a reasonable fashion.
To help identify possible deficiencies in math skills and direct students to assistance in improving their understanding of mathematics as it applies to problem solving in chemistry.

To understand the importance of safety for a scientific professional.
To more fully understand government regulations, exposure hazards, and chemical safety information.
To learn the proper way to respond to an emergency situation in the laboratory.
To review modern safe laboratory protocols and techniques.
To create a proactive attitude toward one’s own safety as well as the safety of others.
To reinforce the value system of honesty and integrity in science.
To examine this value system through case studies focused on scientific ethics.
To introduce students to the undergraduate research opportunities available in the Chemistry discipline.
To discuss the benefits, challenges and outcomes of undergraduate research.
In conjunction with the academic advisor, update the degree worksheet, review academic plan and make modifications in light of course performance, scheduling, etc.

To help all Truman Chemistry Graduates obtain the ability to make clear and interesting oral presentations of scientific information.
To gain experience in the utilization and analysis of the current chemical literature, including becoming familiar with modern electronic literature databases.
To examine the limitations and possibilities of current methods for dissemination of research data.
In conjunction with the academic advisor, update the degree worksheet, review academic plan and make modifications in light of course performance, scheduling, etc.
Make students aware of graduate and professional school entrance exams. Strongly encourage graduate school-bound students to consider taking the general GRE during the summer between junior and senior years.