Teaching with the Case Study Method To Promote Active Learning, in a Small Molecule Crystallography Course for Chemistry Students

摘要

Implementing the case study method in a practical X-ray crystallography course designed for graduate or upper-level undergraduate chemistry students is described. Compared with a traditional lecture format, assigning small groups of students to examine literature case studies encourages more active engagement with the course material and stimulates improved class discussion. In particular, a judicious selection of case studies either from high profile publications or from literature directly pertaining to students' fields of research allows students to draw an immediate connection between the lecture material and their own academic/research interests.