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Learner Reviews & Feedback for General Chemistry: Concept Development and Application by Rice University

4.7
stars
1,035 ratings

About the Course

This course will cover the topics of a full year, two semester General Chemistry course. We will use a free on-line textbook, Concept Development Studies in Chemistry, available via Rice’s Connexions project. The fundamental concepts in the course will be introduced via the Concept Development Approach developed at Rice University. In this approach, we will develop the concepts you need to know from experimental observations and scientific reasoning rather than simply telling you the concepts and then asking you to simply memorize or apply them. So why use this approach? One reason is that most of us are inductive learners, meaning that we like to make specific observations and then generalize from there. Many of the most significant concepts in Chemistry are counter-intuitive. When we see where those concepts come from, we can more readily accept them, explain them, and apply them. A second reason is that scientific reasoning in general and Chemistry reasoning in particular are inductive processes. This Concept Development approach illustrates those reasoning processes. A third reason is that this is simply more interesting! The structure and reactions of matter are fascinating puzzles to be solved by observation and reasoning. It is more fun intellectually when we can solve those puzzles together, rather than simply have the answers to the riddles revealed at the outset. Recommended Background: The class can be taken by someone with no prior experience in chemistry. However, some prior familiarity with the basics of chemistry is desirable as we will cover some elements only briefly. For example, a prior high school chemistry class would be helpful. Suggested Readings: Readings will be assigned from the on-line textbook “Concept Development Studies in Chemistry”, available via Rice’s Connexions project. In addition, we will suggest readings from any of the standard textbooks in General Chemistry. A particularly good free on-line resource is Dickerson, Gray, and Haight, "Chemical Principles, 3rd Edition". Links to these two texts will be available in the Introduction module....

Top reviews

ZK

Aug 29, 2015

If I'd had access to this material when I first failed freshman chemistry 40 years ago, I probably wouldn't have failed. Kudos to Dean Hutchinson for bringing us his innovative approach.

SP

Feb 21, 2025

Το μάθημα αυτό ήταν μια ισχυρή βάση για την εξέλιξη μου στον τομέα της χημικής μηχανικής και μηχανικός περιβάλλοντος και να πάρω καλό βαθμό στο αντίστοιχο μάθημα του Πολυτεχνείου μου

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101 - 125 of 258 Reviews for General Chemistry: Concept Development and Application

By Alvin I

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Aug 6, 2020

This course is amazing. It helped me to understand chemistry in a fun way.

By Marc H

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Jun 15, 2017

The concept development method of learning was very effective. Thank you!

By Fernando M

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Oct 26, 2015

Very Very good, if you want to learn something just try these classes !!!

By HUSSAIN S A A A H S A A A

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Jul 22, 2023

This course provides essential kowledge in dealing with chemistry tasks.

By Shreya B

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Sep 2, 2020

This course is helpful for understanding basic concept in chemistry

By Glenn E M

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May 14, 2020

Much more challenging than expected for a general chemistry course.

By Ahmed M H O

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Feb 28, 2025

لماذ لا توجد شهادة اجتياز اريد شهادة اجتياز لهذه الدورة الرائعة

By Zafira B

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Sep 28, 2020

Experiência diferente e muito complexa rica em muitos detalhes.

By Jonathan L

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Jan 25, 2016

The concept development approach is a much better way to learn!

By Stéphane H

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Mar 26, 2019

Very insightful course ... very well explained and progressive

By Chen C

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Sep 30, 2015

really helpful advice, completed content with acceptable depth

By yumna n

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May 31, 2020

Good experience...Sir i have not received my certificate yet.

By Sidharth D

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Oct 3, 2015

Excellently delivered..... High clarity and focus on concepts

By lawrence a

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Apr 14, 2018

excellent course. Gives basic concepts that one must learn.

By Roshen R I

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Dec 4, 2020

Truly scientific method of learning science and chemistry

By Chandrashekhar P P

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Jul 15, 2020

One of the best teacher for learning Chemistry. Great.

By Christopher L

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Dec 13, 2022

WHY NO CERTIFICATE TO THIS OPEN FUNDAMENTAL LEARNING

By Tia M T

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Nov 10, 2023

It was very helpful in imparting great knowledge.

By jeffrey f

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Sep 4, 2022

I love this course. Worthy of my time and effort.

By Brian B

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Mar 24, 2025

yes but i was looking forward for a certificate

By sridhar g

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Aug 25, 2020

The course is very much useful and informative.

By Ukoh M E

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Jun 18, 2023

very good course

but didn't get a certificate

By Jeyalakshmi K

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Sep 22, 2020

Nice session to recall the basic concepts.

By Anjali W

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Aug 12, 2020

Helped to review the Basics of Chemistry

By Kavita B

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Aug 10, 2023

Excellent development in various skills