Spectroscopic Methods for Pollution Analysis─Course Development and Delivery Using the Integrated Course Design Framework

Abstract

Amidst ongoing attempts to enhance green chemistry education in the chemical sciences curriculum, the teaching of analytical methods, such as spectroscopy, still largely lacks grounding in the principles of green chemistry. In an attempt to embed this context to spectroscopy education, this article describes the development, delivery, and evaluation of a course module designed to teach spectroscopic methods within the context of pollution analysis. Using the Integrated Course Design framework, a course section that intertwines fundamental spectroscopy knowledge with the application to pollution analysis was developed. Following the design and delivery of diverse teaching and learning activities, the analysis of student feedback revealed a high degree of satisfaction with the course. Some reservations around digital learning resources and group work activities present scope for improvement. This paper also describes the use of a multifold student assessment model developed on the basis of spaced repetition learning.