Assistant Professor
Research Areas: Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Nursing Chemistry, Structural Determination, Inorganic Chemistry, and Analytical Chemistry.
Email: ron.g.smith-1@ou.edu
Office: SLSRC
Education:
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI PhD in Chemistry - 2005-2013
Arizona State University Tempe, AZ BS in Chemistry, 2003-2005
Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ 1998-2002
During his tenure as a graduate student specializing in materials chemistry, he developed a interest in the field of education. Upon graduation, he transitioned into a role as a chemistry instructor, teaching a diverse array of courses including organic chemistry, general chemistry, nursing chemistry, structural determination, inorganic chemistry, and analytical chemistry. Over the years, his passion for teaching has evolved into a dedication to course development, with a particular focus on leveraging the principles of chemistry to enhance students’ critical thinking skills.
As a professor, he provides a broad spectrum of examples, ranging from fundamental concepts to the interconnections between chemistry and students’ fields of study. Students are encouraged to enhance their skills through active learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom. He strives to make challenging courses as engaging as possible, believing that students learn more effectively when they enjoy the subject matter and look forward to attending class.
Future research will focus on course development utilizing modern chemistry methods. Additionally, research will be conducted on the personalization of course material. This investigation will explore how personalized approaches can be used to address gaps in foundational knowledge. Given that many students find chemistry challenging, personalizing the material can also assist those who struggle with specific topics.