title: Great expectations: using an analysis of current practices to propose a framework for the undergraduate inorganic curriculum.
abstract: The undergraduate inorganic chemistry curriculum in the United States mirrors the broad diversity of the inorganic research community and poses a challenge for the development of a coherent curriculum that is thorough, rigorous, and engaging. A recent large survey of the inorganic community has provided information about the current organization and content of the inorganic curriculum from an institutional level. The data reveal shared "core" concepts that are broadly taught, with tremendous variation in content coverage beyond these central ideas. The data provide an opportunity for a community-driven discussion about how the American Chemical Society's Committee on Professional Training's vision of a foundation and in-depth course for each of the five subdisciplines maps onto an inorganic chemistry curriculum that is consistent in its coverage of the core inorganic concepts, yet reflects the diversity and creativity of the inorganic community. The goal of this Viewpoint is to present the current state of the diverse undergraduate curriculum and lay a framework for an effective and engaging curriculum that illustrates the essential role inorganic chemistry plays within the chemistry community.
authors: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, James Madison University , Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807, United States.
authors: Barbara A
authors: BA
authors: Reisner
authors: Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn , Dearborn, Michigan 48128, United States.
authors: Sheila R
authors: SR
authors: Smith
authors: Department of Chemistry, Hope College , Holland, Michigan 49423, United States.
authors: Joanne L
authors: JL
authors: Stewart
authors: Jeffrey R
authors: JR
authors: Raker
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Puget Sound , Tacoma, Washington 98416, United States.
authors: Johanna L
authors: JL
authors: Crane
authors: Department of Chemistry, Hofstra University , Hempstead, New York 11549, United States.
authors: Sabrina G
authors: SG
authors: Sobel
authors: Department of Chemistry, Western Kentucky University , Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101, United States.
authors: Lester L
authors: LL
authors: Pesterfield