It’s finally that time of the year when students create their new schedules for next year and choose courses that guarantee minimal exam stress! (I’m looking at you, CHEM 203/204…)
Speaking of chemistry, the chemistry department has some exciting news to share with the campus community. Dr. Benjamin Hafensteiner, aka Dr. H (the H actually stands for hydronium), will officially be stepping down from his position as professor and passing the test tubes to not one, not two, but three young successors: his three daughters. After years of updating students about his daughters’ lives and accomplishments in the middle of his lectures, Dr. H has announced that the trio has skipped college to follow in their father’s footsteps as organic chemistry professors.
These new professors have already discussed some highlights to look forward to in their class. For the unit on thermodynamics, they wish to help students understand what entropy means through one of the more well-known habits of young children: keeping an untidy bedroom. Students’ exam for the unit will require them to make a mess in their dorm room and draw on the walls to understand the chemical reactions behind thermodynamic relations, even if it violates Residential Life’s guidelines or their roommates’ wishes.
As part of the new curriculum, most of the organic compound unit will emphasize the structure of a very well-known molecule: sugar. The three new professors announced that all homework assignments and lab projects for this unit will involve the making and consumption of sugar — their favorite!
Be sure to mark your calendars with important exam and project dates for this course to be ready for next semester. And while studying, remember that the first step to being a scientist is being curious — just like a kid.
