E-Mail: chmigorn@nus.edu.sg
Abstract: Students who chose Chemistry as a career face many challenges and difficulties: reduction in the number of traditional chemistry jobs, the likelihood of employment outside chemistry, low social standing of chemistry etc. Furthermore, new expectations from chemistry graduates include the ability of lateral & creative thinking, flexible working attitude, communication and critical thinking skills. All this suggests the need for a greater diversity in chemical education leading perhaps towards several types of chemistry degrees in the future. We shall briefly describe the type of awareness courses offered to chemistry students at National University of Singapore. The courses include discussion of many topics related to Chemistry, some of which are mentioned below.
1. The origin of the word "chemistry" and misconceptions about Chemistry
2. What makes Chemistry part of Science and what are the characteristics of scientific method?
3. What motivates chemists in their work, how (and why) is Chemistry perceived by the public, what is the relationship between science & human values and what are the cost/benefits of Chemistry to Society at large?
4. Why and how did modern Science/Chemistry originate in W. Europe ?
5.
Case studies:
a) Phlogiston
theory (when is a theory scientific?)
b) Periodic
system (what is the most important characteristic of a successful
theory?)
c) Life
and work of Fritz Haber (cost/benefits of Chemistry to Society)
Many aspects of Chemistry as presented in these courses are pertinent to other natural sciences so the discussion has general relevance for the training of new breed of science graduates.
- Chemistry as a Career
- Aspects of Chemistry as a Science
- On historical development of Chemistry/Science
- References
CEJ Vol. 5, No. 2, Contents