Educational Efforts and Philosophy

My teaching efforts concentrate on long-term, multidisciplinary curriculum development. To this end, I recently developed and taught Introduction to Polymer Science, a significantly revised and updated course on Chemistry of Solids, an on-line course on Organic Molecular Conductors, and Chemistry of Advanced Materials. I am also leading the Department's efforts to develop a cross-disciplinary NanoMaterials Program, and recently taught a graduate level course on NanoMaterials with students from seven different academic departments. An emphasis on interdisciplinary collaborations in my own work places me in an ideal position to promote such change. Introduction of new technology (such as multimedia lecture methods, network-based distance education, and introduction of new equipment into the instructional laboratories) is also a high priority. For instance, thermal analysis and GPC equipment were incorporated into undergraduate Physical and Polymer Chemistry courses at SUNY-Binghamton. I am also making major efforts to update the undergraduate Physical Chemistry Lab at the University of Tennessee by modernizing the lab manual, the equipment (balances, UV-Vis spectrometers, and software for computational chemistry), and the facilities. Examples of these efforts include the development of a theoretical thermodynamic properties prediction lab, rebuilding the vapor pressure and vapor-liquid equilibrium setups, and rebuilding a closed-cycle cryostat for variable temperature resistivity measurements on superconductors. Finally, I am deeply committed to the education of young people through hands-on research experiences. The creative accomplishments and contributions of my high school, undergraduate, and graduate students are reflected in our many publications. Funding for some aspects of this educational work has been provided by the National Science Foundation.

Courses Taught