9455681 Kharas This project will develop a model comprehensive organic laboratory curriculum that will give students the opportunity to be imaginative and creative, lead to better understanding of the concepts that underlie scientific research, and show an important connection between theoretical and practical organic chemistry. We will design individual exploratory research projects for the last quarter of a three-quarter laboratory course that will integrate the instructor's research interests with learning experiences for the students. The vehicle will be individual organic and polymer syntheses that combine classic organic chemistry and polymer chemistry. We will also continue our efforts at improving and assessing the value of this curriculum in ways that inform the development of the course and guide research on the learning outcomes.
