Information Literacy in Chemistry

or
Knowing how to find out if what you're
working with can kill you

Margy Macmillan

Instructional Librarian, Mount Royal University
http://www2.mtroyal.ab.ca/~mmacmillan/conf/cthree.htm
June 6, 2003

Information literacy for Chemistry at Mount Royal University
Presentation at C3 1n 1991 detailed our early work - primarily in
Chemistry 2201 and 0130, begun by Ross Sherwin, Phyllis Lake and Diana
Garred
Have developed a program of course-integrated instruction units that
gradually introduce more complex resources and strategies as students
progress through Chemistry courses.
Benefits:
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Opportunity to reinforce prior learning, not repeat it
Able to develop students' skills in step with information
needs
Ensures introduction to a variety of information resources,
including higher level ones
Students develop comfort level, self-efficacy in using
information resources

We use a variety of teaching approaches including
lecture/demonstration/activity and problem-based learning.
We use a variety of resources - print reference sources, electronic
databases, books, websites, specialized science resources (Access Science)
and chemical resources (CCINFO).
Our program is successful because of the excellent working relationship
we have with instructors. - This has lead not only to better instruciton, but

also to a better library collection more closely tied to department
instructional goals.

Now teaching between 80 and 90 chemistry classes a year in 7 different
courses. (Feel free to steal/borrow/borrow/adapt any of these - let me know
how it goes!)
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CHEM 0115 - Basic Chemistry I - using the reserve
collection, books, and other library resources to help with
the course

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CHEM 0130 - Basic Chemistry II - Presentations on
chemicals - using Google effectively, using databases,
books

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CHEM 2201 - General Chemistry I - Poster sessions Nobel-winning chemistry - Using Google, databases with
more advanced concepts

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CHEM 2203 - General Chemistry II - The Dead Chemist
(Word) - using CRC Handbook, other print sources chemical information lingo - CAS, LD50 etc

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CHEM 3350 - Organic Chemistry I - Pharmaceutical
Industry Chemical Processes

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CHEM 3351 - Organic Chemistry II - Environmental Impact
of Chemicals

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CHEM 3357 - Industrial Organic Chemistry - capstone
course - Major assignment is siting a chemical plant in
Alberta (We couldn't fit 3357 in this past year, but used
the materials in 3351)

For more information
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Visit the library site and check out worksheets
- http://library.mtroyal.ca
Visit my site - http://www2.mtroyal.ca/~mmacmillan
Email me - mmacmillan@mtroyal.ca