An undergraduate experiment combining synthesis, NMR analysis and mechanistic understanding is reported. The students perform an organocatalyzed cyclopropanation reaction of (E)-dec-2-enal and are then required to determine the diastereoselectivity and assign the relative configuration of each product using NMR spectroscopy.

Biodiesel is an important alternative fuel synthesized by the trans-esterification of vegetable oils, animal fats, and recycled greases. In this experiment, students prepared biodiesel through the base-catalyzed trans-esterification of several vegetable oils, which were subsequently analyzed in comparison with conventional petroleum-based fuels to…

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to demonstrate open and distance education (ODE) can support poverty alleviation. Taking the practices of the Open University of China (the OUC) as an example, this paper aims to reveal how open universities make contributions to local residents in rural and remote areas. Design/methodology/approach: Focusing…

If the purpose of feedback is to reduce the discrepancy between the established goal and what is recognized, then how can this discrepancy be minimized through support and guidance? Feedback is instrumental to a preservice teacher development during their teacher preparation program. This qualitative study examines 31 first year teachers' previous…

The increasing costs of college have led higher education institutions to place greater emphasis on the implementation of curricula changes that facilitate timely degree completion. Institutional barriers to timely degree completion may be found in course registration processes and course availability, program design, and university-wide resources…

The Mathematical Association of America's "Precalculus to Calculus: Insights and Innovations Conference" brought together representatives of mathematics departments from across the country with members of two national research projects to share and discuss both research findings and on-the-ground concerns of faculty. In this article, we…

Few studies explore post-collegiate leadership applications of alumni who complete curricular leadership programs, like minors or certificates. How can we, as a field, say our leadership programs and courses integrate beyond the boundaries of campus or undergraduate life without an understanding of post-collegiate leadership applications? This…

Researchers explored group differences in the predictive validity of undergraduate GPA, GRE, and MAT scores on CPCE results between 14a sample of White and Black counseling students (n = 378). Results indicated that both the GRE and MAT demonstrate predictive validity on CPCE scores. Differences across the sampling groups and implications for…

Understanding metabolic function requires knowledge of the dynamics, interdependence, and regulation of metabolic networks. However, multiple professional societies have recognized that most undergraduate biochemistry students acquire only a surface-level understanding of metabolism. We hypothesized that guiding students through interactive…

Higher education programs face challenges to increase accountability regarding student achievement. Course misalignment occurs as instructors interpret course objectives differently, making changes to the course content without considering overall program alignment and purpose. Misalignment prompts academic programs to revisit its curriculum to…

In this narrative, a detailed model for trichotomously positive [or "Tripositive"] "Nanobiogenic Technology™" (as "dynamic nanobiotechnology") is presented via research-based case studies. The author implemented the Biosmart Nanobiogenic Technology™(or "Biosmart Nanobiotechnology") designed to create a…

The paper compares the worth of public and private university education. We develop a Public-Private University Worth parity index and provide empirical estimations to lend rigour in testing our main hypothesis that the type of university education does not matter in determining salaries and skills' value-added. Using data from a recent…

Global food systems contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and the mitigation of these emissions is a critical component of addressing the challenge of climate change. A variety of decision-support tools are available for agricultural producers to use to estimate how their management decisions affect emissions. These tools, often free and online,…

Take-home examinations were utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic for upper-level analytical chemistry lecture courses. The questions were often scenarios which required the students to determine the best type of instrument to use and how to go about the experiment. Answers submitted were well thought out and detailed, showing that the students…

This paper examines inequalities in the match between student and degree quality using linked administrative data from schools, universities and tax authorities. We analyse two measures of match at the university-subject level: undergraduate enrollment qualifications, and graduate earnings. We find for both that disadvantaged students match to…