Chemistry Department Meeting Minutes

October 31, 2003

9:00-11:00 a.m.

NRG – PB3

In Attendance: Chris Uzomba, Debbie Sackett, Madan Mohan, Ya-Ping Huang, Steve Kirschner, Kathy Nabona, Al Dumbuya, Matiur Rahman, Jessica White, Brad Herrick, Abbas Alvanipour, Bill Cheek, Tom Jempty, Denis Miiller, Bernice Speer, Marilyn LeBlanc

¨ New adjunct faculty were introduced – Jessica White, Brad Herrick, and Denis Miiller. Amiya Ghatak-Roy, Blanca Lara, and Jean Baptiste Oba were not in attendance.

¨ Chris let everyone know that John Young was out with pneumonia.

¨ Intro to Chemistry Textbook for Fall 2004 – Chris asked for everyone to give him a list of any textbooks they like. Debbie noted that we have only used the current text for 2 years, and we usually use them for 3 years. Chris said he has a copy of the new edition of our current text, which is has page & chapter numbers and many more illustrations. All agreed that the new edition of the current text should be a choice. Marilyn will ask Hadra McKnight, book rep for Thomson Learning, to send copies of the new edition.

¨ Department Budget – Chris said that the budget for this year was very good for us. Debbie reported that money will be spent on 6 spectra photometers, 3 balances with 3 decimal places, 12 balances with 2 decimal places, $500 to repair balances, money for pH meters, an IR for NRG (the first working one in about 10 years) and an integrator for NRG is in the works. Chris asked for all instructors to decide what they may need for next year’s budget, and submit the lists to him and Debbie.

¨ South Campus – There is a Fall 2005 opening date. We will start with Intro to Chemistry, with a goal to go to Chem I and II.

¨ Chris is suggesting that ACC upgrade CYP & PIN to Organic Chemistry at some point in the future. Matiur noted that PIN does not have an instrument room for Organic, but there is a large prep room that might be able to be converted. Organic can be taught at CYP as soon as the new building is completed. Kathy suggested that Organic II be expanded at NRG, since Organic I has a maximum of 30 students, and Organic II has a max. of only 15. Kathy and Madan expressed concern that there is generally not enough demand for organic chemistry to warrant its expansion to so many campuses.

¨ Chemistry for Allied Health – Will the Chemistry Department be able to provide a course? Bernice Speer, Department Chair for Biology, said that they are changing the A&P’s; A&P I will be merged with Human Anatomy and A&P II will be merged with Human Physiology, which requires Chemistry. Students will be required to pass an assessment test on Chemistry, and if they can’t pass, there needs to be a course they can take. The course will also be required for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Bernice listed the topics that should be included.

Topics:

· Atoms & molecules

· Mixtures & compounds

· Atomic structure

· Ions & electrolytes

· Acids/bases/pH/buffers

· Bonding/covalent/ionic/hydrogen

· Carbohydrates/lipids/proteins/nuclei acids

· Enzymes

Reactions:

· Synthesis

· Decomposition

· Exchange

All of the above are needed in general; there is no need to go into depth. A committee was formed to look into what is needed and what the chemistry department can offer. Kathy, Debbie, Chris, Abbas, Jessica, and Bill volunteered.

¨ Debbie reminded everyone that there is Department Specific Safety Training at HBC on 11/21 and 11/22 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. in Room 301.1. She will send out a memo.