Instructor Insights
"Every time we teach, we can take what we’re teaching and try to give it some sort of context."
Below, Professor Jeffrey Grossman describes various aspects of how he teaches 3.091 Introduction to Solid-State Chemistry.
- Interview: “Why this Matters” Moments
- Interview: The Value of Hands-On Learning
- Interview: Goodie Bags
Learn More! In the following video from MIT’s Festival of Learning in 2018, Professor Grossman discusses his use of goodie bags and real-life applications in teaching:
Hands-on Chemistry Learning in 3.091 from the 2018 Festival of Learning
Watch the video excerpt of Professor Grossman’s introductory speech to the students:
Video excerpt of Professor Grossman’s closing remarks to the students in the final lecture:
Curriculum Information
Prerequisites
None
Requirements Satisfied
- GIR
- 3.091 can be applied toward a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering, but is not required.
Offered
Every semester
Assessment
The students’ grades were based on the following activities:
- 25% Quizzes
- 15% Exam 1
- 15% Exam 2
- 15% Exam 3
- 30% Final exam
Student Information
Enrollment
455 (enrollment increasing in recent years).
Breakdown by Year
Primarily first-year students.
Breakdown by Major
Various majors, particularly in engineering, science, and health-related fields.
Typical Student Background
Most first-year students at MIT will have had one year of high-school-level chemistry.
How Student Time Was Spent
During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, divided as follows:
Lecture
Met 3 times per week for 1 hour per session; 39 sessions total; mandatory attendance.
Recitation
Recitations, led by graduate or advanced undergraduate teaching assistants, met 2 times per week for 1 hour per session; in these sessions, students reviewed concepts from the lectures and took regular quizzes.
Out of Class
Outside of class, students completed hands-on homework activities (ungraded) and prepared for quizzes and exams.
