Finally making some headway on the Lively History of Chemistry Book. I am a third of the way through Chapter 14. There are 6 chapters left.
Each chapter is becoming more dense, albeit more condensed and distilled as well, as the progress of research and discovery in chemistry accelerates. It seems after finally ridding themselves of relying on the phlogiston theory, a drain has been unplugged.
I am little bit disappointed that the account is a but disjointed with seemingly missing pieces in between. I can only guess that there is some order and organization coursing through the authors' minds that I am not aware of.
Mendeleev has organized the periodic table and they have advanced well enough in organic chemistry to ponder the concept of chiral molecules without having any physical evidence of atoms! It is amazing to say the least. One just has to believe on what a leap of faith it took to develop these ideas of chemistry, most of which we now have hard physical evidence for.
Back to reading.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Monday, November 24, 2014
Micro-Physio Questions Update
I completed the following today:
1) Reviewed Jill's files again to see if there are more helpful questions I can generate.
2) I also reviewed Barbara's ppt slides, downloaded from her website up to Chapter 20. I was able to borrow better versions of some figures I used in my notes.
3) I have compiled all of the questions from the 2 lab manuals and the text and have assigned them to the Stoker chapters by material. I have also cleaned out the ones that I ended up not using.
1) Reviewed Jill's files again to see if there are more helpful questions I can generate.
2) I also reviewed Barbara's ppt slides, downloaded from her website up to Chapter 20. I was able to borrow better versions of some figures I used in my notes.
3) I have compiled all of the questions from the 2 lab manuals and the text and have assigned them to the Stoker chapters by material. I have also cleaned out the ones that I ended up not using.
Book Update
I am slowly making my way through Chemistry's Lively History. It is a bit slow-going as there are a lot of facts and I am prodigiously taking notes. Probably too many but it is hard for me to keep track of the chronology, the progress, and the main actors.
On to Chapter 5.
On to Chapter 5.
Micro-Physio Questions Update
I finally finished writing up the solution keys for all the questions I created from the Silverthorn text, the Physio lab manual, and the micro lab manual. I had to eliminate about 10 questions as they seemed repetitive, too had, or do not seem relevant.
Next would be to
1) review Jill's files and Barbara's ppts
2) check one more time if there are other questions that would be instructional and/or notes
3) add the questions from the physio and the micro lab manuals to the categorized file.
4) create a file that contains only the questions
Next would be to
1) review Jill's files and Barbara's ppts
2) check one more time if there are other questions that would be instructional and/or notes
3) add the questions from the physio and the micro lab manuals to the categorized file.
4) create a file that contains only the questions
Saturday, November 22, 2014
30A Lab Manual Update
I have received one feedback so far, suggesting that the copper-sulfide lab be kept and not archived. I will work on cleaning up and revising this file.
Micro-Physio Questions Update
I finished typing up the solutions for the questions generated from Silverthorn's text. I had to eliminate a few (3-4?) questions because they were either repetitive or they were not relevant.
I will work on the solution keys for the questions generated from the physio and the micro lab manuals next.
I will work on the solution keys for the questions generated from the physio and the micro lab manuals next.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Micro-Physio Update
Completed review of the last two chapters. I have also finished categorizing the physio text questions into Stoker chapters by topic.
I have started typing up the solutions for the physio text questions.
Micro-Physio Questions Update
I have finished reviewing the electronic version of the Silverthorn 6th Ed Human Physiology text. I have created 54 questions and generated 58 slides of notes on material that has chemistry relevance.
Based on chapters covered by two physiology faculty, I reviewed the following chapters. The depth of review and reading varied depending on how relevant chemistry is to the material being covered in the chapter.
Chapters 1-8, 10-12, 14-21, 24, and 26.
Based on chapters covered by two physiology faculty, I reviewed the following chapters. The depth of review and reading varied depending on how relevant chemistry is to the material being covered in the chapter.
Chapters 1-8, 10-12, 14-21, 24, and 26.
Micro-Physio Questions Update
I finished reviewing Chap 21 for relevant material. It did not stimulate any questions or problems but I did take notes on some information useful for discussion of ions and acid-base concepts in 30A and digestion in 30B.
Lab Manual Update
I sent the following request for review e-mails to full-time and part-time instructors who have taught 30A before to review the revised files, including Gerry and Mike.
"Hello,
All of you have taught Chemistry 30A some time in the past. As some of you may know, the 30A lab manual was originally authored by LPC's very own Jim Adams who did a tremendous amount of work developing these labs and writing up a very thorough lab manual.
These labs have not gone through revisions in the last several years and have only been available through a hard-copy of the lab manual itself and no editable electronic copy. I have been working on converting these files into editable electronic files and some revisions. Below are a summary and a request for review.
What changes have been made?
My main focus was to get the lab manual converted to an MS Word file and make revisions on some of the content, primarily changes in safety policy and equipment use. Some of these changes include:
1) Converting scanned hard copies of the labs to an editable MS Word file. As part of this, I scanned the lab manual to create pdf files of relatively good resolution for optical character recognition. I then used these to create the MS Word files and have to do some extensive clean-up of text, formatting, figures, tables, chemical formulas and equations, mathematical equations and calculation steps, molecular structure drawing, etc.
2) I then went to work on some content revisions:
a) Obvious typos
b) Incorporation of the most obvious changes to safety policy: no waste down the drain, use of limited fume hoods in 1807 where the 30A labs are now held, removal of mercury, replacement of some chemical reagents, etc.
c) Changes in amounts of chemicals used
d) Changes in chemical reagents used
e) Rewriting equipment instructions for newer equipment (e.g. pH meters)
f) Some procedural changes
g) Changes in procedure (e.g. using excel for collecting class data, creating plots, etc.)
3) I looked at some course lab schedules to determine which labs have not been done in the past several years. Those will be archived.
4) Removal of the copper-sulfur compound formation lab and other labs which cannot be done with the limited number of fume hoods in 1807
How did I come up with these changes?
I based many of these changes on my own class notes collected when I taught these labs. Some instructors and Gerry have also been sending me some comments that I have incorporated (more are welcome, see below). I also used Gerry’s prep sheets for reference.
What exactly are these changes?
I have attached a file listing all of the changes, comments I have received, and questions I have posed regarding other potential changes.
The annotated files which you can view contain:
1) line numbering for easy reference
2) Comments on changes and other questions
4) blue highlighted sections indicating changes (if the change is not obvious, it is usually accompanied by a comment)
5) yellow highlighted sections referring to page or part numbers (I did this to make it easier to change them later just in case pagination changes for the entire file).
How do I access these annotated files?
Click on the link:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B68k_dSaNrzmemEtRmR4dkYxVFk&usp=sharing
You can download the individual files from this site. Please let me know if you can't access these files.
What kind of feedback?
1) Anything I may have missed that are obvious typos, safety issue, etc. as I listed above
2) If I labeled a lab "archive" that you would like to keep, let me know.
3) I am not looking into making any other substantial changes (in wording, length, content, etc.) at this point but anything you think needs to be reworded for clarity, let me know.
How to send me comments:
1) After reviewing, you can send me an e-mail (please put lab number in the subject).
2) You can download the annotated files and if your pdf program has the capability, you can write your comments directly on the pdf document.
3) Any other way you think is easy for you.
Am I stuck with these changes?
These changes are by no means final, I want to emphasize. I welcome any suggestions and comments so that we have labs that work well for our students.
"Hello,
All of you have taught Chemistry 30A some time in the past. As some of you may know, the 30A lab manual was originally authored by LPC's very own Jim Adams who did a tremendous amount of work developing these labs and writing up a very thorough lab manual.
These labs have not gone through revisions in the last several years and have only been available through a hard-copy of the lab manual itself and no editable electronic copy. I have been working on converting these files into editable electronic files and some revisions. Below are a summary and a request for review.
What changes have been made?
My main focus was to get the lab manual converted to an MS Word file and make revisions on some of the content, primarily changes in safety policy and equipment use. Some of these changes include:
1) Converting scanned hard copies of the labs to an editable MS Word file. As part of this, I scanned the lab manual to create pdf files of relatively good resolution for optical character recognition. I then used these to create the MS Word files and have to do some extensive clean-up of text, formatting, figures, tables, chemical formulas and equations, mathematical equations and calculation steps, molecular structure drawing, etc.
2) I then went to work on some content revisions:
a) Obvious typos
b) Incorporation of the most obvious changes to safety policy: no waste down the drain, use of limited fume hoods in 1807 where the 30A labs are now held, removal of mercury, replacement of some chemical reagents, etc.
c) Changes in amounts of chemicals used
d) Changes in chemical reagents used
e) Rewriting equipment instructions for newer equipment (e.g. pH meters)
f) Some procedural changes
g) Changes in procedure (e.g. using excel for collecting class data, creating plots, etc.)
3) I looked at some course lab schedules to determine which labs have not been done in the past several years. Those will be archived.
4) Removal of the copper-sulfur compound formation lab and other labs which cannot be done with the limited number of fume hoods in 1807
How did I come up with these changes?
I based many of these changes on my own class notes collected when I taught these labs. Some instructors and Gerry have also been sending me some comments that I have incorporated (more are welcome, see below). I also used Gerry’s prep sheets for reference.
What exactly are these changes?
I have attached a file listing all of the changes, comments I have received, and questions I have posed regarding other potential changes.
The annotated files which you can view contain:
1) line numbering for easy reference
2) Comments on changes and other questions
4) blue highlighted sections indicating changes (if the change is not obvious, it is usually accompanied by a comment)
5) yellow highlighted sections referring to page or part numbers (I did this to make it easier to change them later just in case pagination changes for the entire file).
How do I access these annotated files?
Click on the link:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B68k_dSaNrzmemEtRmR4dkYxVFk&usp=sharing
You can download the individual files from this site. Please let me know if you can't access these files.
What kind of feedback?
1) Anything I may have missed that are obvious typos, safety issue, etc. as I listed above
2) If I labeled a lab "archive" that you would like to keep, let me know.
3) I am not looking into making any other substantial changes (in wording, length, content, etc.) at this point but anything you think needs to be reworded for clarity, let me know.
How to send me comments:
1) After reviewing, you can send me an e-mail (please put lab number in the subject).
2) You can download the annotated files and if your pdf program has the capability, you can write your comments directly on the pdf document.
3) Any other way you think is easy for you.
Am I stuck with these changes?
These changes are by no means final, I want to emphasize. I welcome any suggestions and comments so that we have labs that work well for our students.
When will this version be used?
I plan to have final drafts ready for the FALL 2015 semester.
Thanks for your help,
Adeliza"
Thanks for your help,
Monday, November 10, 2014
Micro-Physio Questions Update
As I was reviewing our 30A course outline, I noticed something related to the questions I have been creating based on micro and physio concepts. I realized that our outline does not even mention osmolarity in it anywhere, neither the Measurable Objectives nor the Content. I created a lot of questions using this concept as my reading of the labs and the physio text seem to indicate it is a heavily used concentration unit, especially in describing plasma and other fluid properties.
I will be adding it to the course outline during this next cycle.
I will be adding it to the course outline during this next cycle.
Other things I have been working on
In the first three months (Aug - Nov) of my sabbatical year, I have also been working on and have been involved in the following:
1) I continued to help coordinate and videotape the LLNL - LPC seminar series.
2) I helped my department write equipment requests for balances and centrifuges.
3) I helped review the spring schedule.
4) I revised the AA instructions checklist.
5) I attended the 5-hour GC-MS installer's training.
6) I have started reviewing our course outlines for Title V update submission next semester.
1) I continued to help coordinate and videotape the LLNL - LPC seminar series.
2) I helped my department write equipment requests for balances and centrifuges.
3) I helped review the spring schedule.
4) I revised the AA instructions checklist.
5) I attended the 5-hour GC-MS installer's training.
6) I have started reviewing our course outlines for Title V update submission next semester.
SLO Research Update
I checked my notes: I have sent 7 e-mail inquiries about SLO implementation but only heard back from 3 of them. It may be that they are waiting till they are less busy (I did say to take their time). I might send another set of e-mail, perhaps after finals week and during winter break.
Lab Manual Update
I have posted all of the final drafts (both annotated and clean) in pdf to the aflores LPC google drive. I will be sending a link and the following note to the instructors being requested to review them:
Hello,
All of you have taught Chemistry 30A some time in the past. As some of you may know, the 30A lab manual was originally authored by LPC's very own Jim Adams who did a tremendous amount of work developing these labs and writing up a very thorough lab manual.
These labs have not gone through revisions in the last several years and have only been available through a hard-copy of the lab manual itself and no editable electronic copy. I have been working on converting these files into editable electronic files and some revisions. Below are a summary and a request for review.
What changes have been made?
My main focus was to get the lab manual converted to an MS Word file and make revisions on some of the content, primarily changes in safety policy and equipment use. Some of these changes include:
1) Converting scanned hard copies of the labs to an editable MS Word file. As part of this, I scanned the lab manual to create pdf files of relatively good resolution for optical character recognition. I then used these to create the MS Word files and have to do some extensive clean-up of text, formatting, figures, tables, chemical formulas and equations, mathematical equations and calculation steps, molecular structure drawing, etc.
2) I then went to work on some content revisions:
a) Obvious typos
b) Incorporation of the most obvious changes to safety policy: no waste down the drain, use of limited fume hoods in 1807 where the 30A labs are now held, removal of mercury, replacement of some chemical reagents, etc.
c) Changes in amounts of chemicals used
d) Changes in chemical reagents used
e) Rewriting equipment instructions for newer equipment (e.g. pH meters)
f) Some procedural changes
g) Changes in procedure (e.g. using excel for collecting class data, creating plots, etc.)
3) I looked at some course lab schedules to determine which labs have not been done in the past several years. Those will be archived.
4) Removal of the copper-sulfur compound formation lab and other labs which cannot be done with the limited number of fume hoods in 1807
How did I come up with these changes?
I based many of these changes on my own class notes collected when I taught these labs. Some instructors and Gerry have also been sending me some comments that I have incorporated (more are welcome, see below). I also used Gerry’s prep sheets for reference.
What exactly are these changes?
I have attached a file listing all of the changes, comments I have received, and questions I have posed regarding other potential changes.
The annotated files which you can view contain:
1) line numbering for easy reference
2) Comments on changes and other questions
4) blue highlighted sections indicating changes (if the change is not obvious, it is usually accompanied by a comment)
5) yellow highlighted sections referring to page or part numbers (I did this to make it easier to change them later just in case pagination changes for the entire file).
How do I access these annotated files?
Click on the link:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B68k_dSaNrzmemEtRmR4dkYxVFk&usp=sharing
You can download the individual files from this site. Please let me know if you can't access these files.
What kind of feedback?
1) Anything I may have missed that are obvious typos, safety issue, etc. as I listed above
2) If I labeled a lab "archive" that you would like to keep, let me know.
3) I am not looking into making any other substantial changes (in wording, length, content, etc.) at this point but anything you think needs to be reworded for clarity, let me know.
How to send me comments:
1) After reviewing, you can send me an e-mail (please put lab number in the subject).
2) You can download the annotated files and if your pdf program has the capability, you can write your comments directly on the pdf document.
3) Any other way you think is easy for you.
Am I stuck with these changes?
These changes are by no means final, I want to emphasize. I welcome any suggestions and comments so that we have labs that work well for our students’ learning.
Thanks for your help,
Adeliza
All of you have taught Chemistry 30A some time in the past. As some of you may know, the 30A lab manual was originally authored by LPC's very own Jim Adams who did a tremendous amount of work developing these labs and writing up a very thorough lab manual.
These labs have not gone through revisions in the last several years and have only been available through a hard-copy of the lab manual itself and no editable electronic copy. I have been working on converting these files into editable electronic files and some revisions. Below are a summary and a request for review.
What changes have been made?
My main focus was to get the lab manual converted to an MS Word file and make revisions on some of the content, primarily changes in safety policy and equipment use. Some of these changes include:
1) Converting scanned hard copies of the labs to an editable MS Word file. As part of this, I scanned the lab manual to create pdf files of relatively good resolution for optical character recognition. I then used these to create the MS Word files and have to do some extensive clean-up of text, formatting, figures, tables, chemical formulas and equations, mathematical equations and calculation steps, molecular structure drawing, etc.
2) I then went to work on some content revisions:
a) Obvious typos
b) Incorporation of the most obvious changes to safety policy: no waste down the drain, use of limited fume hoods in 1807 where the 30A labs are now held, removal of mercury, replacement of some chemical reagents, etc.
c) Changes in amounts of chemicals used
d) Changes in chemical reagents used
e) Rewriting equipment instructions for newer equipment (e.g. pH meters)
f) Some procedural changes
g) Changes in procedure (e.g. using excel for collecting class data, creating plots, etc.)
3) I looked at some course lab schedules to determine which labs have not been done in the past several years. Those will be archived.
4) Removal of the copper-sulfur compound formation lab and other labs which cannot be done with the limited number of fume hoods in 1807
How did I come up with these changes?
I based many of these changes on my own class notes collected when I taught these labs. Some instructors and Gerry have also been sending me some comments that I have incorporated (more are welcome, see below). I also used Gerry’s prep sheets for reference.
What exactly are these changes?
I have attached a file listing all of the changes, comments I have received, and questions I have posed regarding other potential changes.
The annotated files which you can view contain:
1) line numbering for easy reference
2) Comments on changes and other questions
4) blue highlighted sections indicating changes (if the change is not obvious, it is usually accompanied by a comment)
5) yellow highlighted sections referring to page or part numbers (I did this to make it easier to change them later just in case pagination changes for the entire file).
How do I access these annotated files?
Click on the link:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B68k_dSaNrzmemEtRmR4dkYxVFk&usp=sharing
You can download the individual files from this site. Please let me know if you can't access these files.
What kind of feedback?
1) Anything I may have missed that are obvious typos, safety issue, etc. as I listed above
2) If I labeled a lab "archive" that you would like to keep, let me know.
3) I am not looking into making any other substantial changes (in wording, length, content, etc.) at this point but anything you think needs to be reworded for clarity, let me know.
How to send me comments:
1) After reviewing, you can send me an e-mail (please put lab number in the subject).
2) You can download the annotated files and if your pdf program has the capability, you can write your comments directly on the pdf document.
3) Any other way you think is easy for you.
Am I stuck with these changes?
These changes are by no means final, I want to emphasize. I welcome any suggestions and comments so that we have labs that work well for our students’ learning.
Thanks for your help,
Adeliza
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Micro-Physio Questions Update
I finished Chapter 20 on fluid balance. I like reading this chapter - it is very quantitative and relates to a lot of chemical principles.
There are three chapters left (based on Jill's and Barbara's coverage schedules): 21, 24, and 26. I am not sure if all of these have chemistry-relevant material.
I have created 53 questions from Silverthorn's text so far. I am up to 55 slides of notes.
There are three chapters left (based on Jill's and Barbara's coverage schedules): 21, 24, and 26. I am not sure if all of these have chemistry-relevant material.
I have created 53 questions from Silverthorn's text so far. I am up to 55 slides of notes.
Lab Manual Update
I have updated all the google drive folders to have the final drafts for review.
I also uploaded the non-annotated pdf files.
I have put away all of the glassware and reagents I have been using to run experiments.
I will try these next time, if I have time (not part of my sabbatical):
1) an Fe determination Beer's Law lab for 30A (and maybe even 1A)
2) a greener way of doing the caffeine extraction possibly for 30B
I also uploaded the non-annotated pdf files.
I have put away all of the glassware and reagents I have been using to run experiments.
I will try these next time, if I have time (not part of my sabbatical):
1) an Fe determination Beer's Law lab for 30A (and maybe even 1A)
2) a greener way of doing the caffeine extraction possibly for 30B
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Lab Manual Update
On Monday, I weighed the copper oxide compound after leaving it in the fume hood over the weekend. There was hardly any change in the mass from previous weighings.
I placed it in the oven and dried three times. I was able to get the wieght down so that the ratio is now 1.4-1 mole of O to mole of Cu. Close enough for this trial. For the actual experiment, I will recommend 30 minutes at 80 C and then 15 minutes at 80 C, until mass is constant.
Gary helped me look for the actual bottles of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and phenanthroline. It looks there are enough to make 1% solutions. I also bought from Rite Aid two kinds of iron supplements: sulfate and fumarate.
I wrote a combination of 9.1 and 9.2 AB today and sent that off to Rob for review.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Micro-Physio Questions Update
Yesterday, I finished Chapter 19 on Kidneys. I have created up to 40 questions and added more ppt notes for addition to my 30A and 30B lectures.
Lab Manual Update
A few things I did yesterday, Friday:
1) I emailed Rob Schmidt to get his feedback on combining labs 9.1-9.2 primarily for two reasons: first, to make the lab run more efficiently and second so that students can more obviously correlate conductivity with pH and acid/base strength.
2) I checked on my copper-oxide compound left another night in the fume hood. I think it gained more water as the mass went up from the day before! I am leaving it again in the fume hood over the weekend. If this method does not work, I will have to use the oven.
3) I redrew the molecular structures in Lab 13.4 for 30B.
4) I checked the stockroom chemical inventory sheets and found that all the reagents needed to the Fe spectrometry analysis are there. I might try running this lab this week.
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