Location
Executive Committee Meeting 5:30 pm, Talk 7:00 pm
Dr. Andrea Giordano, Assistant Professor at the United States Air Force Academy, “Ma’am, class reports ready to learn”: Insights into the chemistry curriculum and research opportunities at the United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is a unique institution in higher education, as its mission is to educate and train future military officers. This presents cadets with many opportunities from flying gliders to working on classified research projects. The chemistry department offers three ACS certified degree tracks, including a required research experience. In many ways, the academics are similar to other civilian institutions and encourages innovative curricula and pedagogies. The physical chemistry curriculum is undergoing a major revision to support the biochemistry majors only taking one semester of physical chemistry. In addition to content reorganization, the curriculum integrates skills through relevant primary literature, oral examinations, and mindfulness practices to prepare the cadets for their future as chemists and as Air Force officers. Our department offers a plethora of research opportunities, from traditional benchtop research to Air Force applications and classified research, allowing cadets to find a project that aligns with their interests. Many cadets elect to continue their research projects and similar to other civilian institutions, our cadets deliver conference presentations and author publications to disseminate their work. While the US Air Force Academy’s mission is to educate and train future military officers, the chemistry curriculum and research opportunities are similar to other civilian institutions.
Registration:
Registrants will be sent a link to the meeting