Challenges in Chemistry Graduate Education: A Workshop Summary (2012)
Chapter: Front Matter
CHALLENGES IN
CHEMISTRY
GRADUATE
EDUCATION
A WORKSHOP SUMMARY
Committee on Challenges in Chemistry Graduate Education
Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology
Division on Earth and Life Studies
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS
Washington, D.C.
www.nap.edu
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NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under award number CHE-1147410, and by the National Institutes of Health under award number N01-OD-4-2139, TO#273.
The report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project.
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THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine
The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the National Academy of Sciences.
The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Charles M. Vest is president of the National Academy of Engineering.
The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg is president of the Institute of Medicine.
The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone and Dr. Charles M. Vest are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council.
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COMMITTEE ON CHALLENGES IN
CHEMISTRY GRADUATE EDUCATION
JOSEPH S. FRANCISCO (Chair), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
ROBERT G. BERGMAN, University of California, Berkeley
CHARLES T. KRESGE, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan
DOUGLAS RAY, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington
Staff
SHEENA SIDDIQUI, Senior Program Associate
AMANDA CLINE, Administrative Assistant
DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN, Program Officer
RACHEL YANCEY, Senior Program Assistant
DOROTHY ZOLANDZ, Board Director
BOARD ON CHEMICAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
PABLO DEBENEDETTI (Co-chair), Princeton University, New Jersey
C. DALE POULTER (Co-chair), University of Utah, Salt Lake City
ZHENAN BAO, Stanford University, California
ROBERT BERGMAN, University of California, Berkeley
HENRY BRYNDZA, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Delaware
EMILY CARTER, Princeton University, New Jersey
MARY JANE HAGENSON, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LLC, The Woodlands, Texas
CAROL J. HENRY, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
JILL HRUBY, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico
CHARLES E. KOLB, Aerodyne Research, Inc., Billerica, Massachusetts
JOSEF MICHL, University of Colorado, Boulder
MARK A. RATNER, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
ROBERT E. ROBERTS, Institute for Defense Analyses, Washington, D.C.
DARLENE J. S. SOLOMON, Agilent Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, California
ERIK J. SORENSEN, Princeton University, New Jersey
JEAN TOM, Bristol-Myers Squibb, West Windsor, New Jersey
WILLIAM C. TROGLER, University of California, San Diego
DAVID WALT, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
Staff
DOROTHY ZOLANDZ, Director
AMANDA CLINE, Administrative Assistant
DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN, Program Officer
KATHRYN HUGHES, Program Officer
TINA M. MASCIANGIOLI, Senior Program Officer
SHEENA SIDDIQUI, Senior Program Associate
RACHEL YANCEY, Senior Program Assistant
Acknowledgment of Reviewers
This workshop report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the National Research Council’s Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for clarity, objectivity, and responsiveness to the charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their review of this workshop report:
Ryan Dirkx, Arkema Inc.
Michael Doyle, University of Maryland
Robert Grubbs, California Institute of Technology
William Lee Olbricht, Cornell University
George Whitesides, Harvard University
Although the reviewers listed above have provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they did not see the final draft of the workshop report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Thomas H. Dunning, Jr., University of Illinois. Appointed by the National Research Council, he was responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authors and the institution.
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Contents
The Perspective from University Administrators
Experiments in Chemistry Graduate Education
3 Goals of Chemistry Graduate Education
The Changing Roles of Universities
The Expectations of Students and Faculty Members
4 Skills Taught in Chemistry Graduate Education
The Perspective from New Faculty Members
The Perspective from Industry Representatives
The Perspectives of Young Industrial Chemists
5 Structure of Chemistry Graduate Education
Master’s Degrees and Doctoral Degrees
Engaging in Interdisciplinary Research
6 Suggested Ideas to Change Chemistry Graduate Education and Skills to Benefit Students
Ideas for Change Focused on Students and Faculty Members
Ideas for Change Focused on Department Chairs, Deans, and Other Research Administrators
