Overview
Prof. Cox’s research interest lie within the field of chemical education and focus predominantly upon general and organic chemistry. The first area of interest analyzes the longitudinal progression of students across the two year sequence and beyond. Specific research questions have probed central topics such as acid-base chemistry, thermodynamics, and kinetics to analyze alternate conceptions and challenges students face in general chemistry and how those challenges translate and impact performance in organic chemistry and beyond. The central goal is to identify deficiencies across the curriculum to inform evidence-based teaching practices in general chemistry. The second area of interest in the longitudinal study focuses upon safety training and students’ understanding not only of the policies but their abilities to recognize and address safety hazards. This research analyzes the safety training protocols from high school to industry. The central question focuses upon identifying the best practices for teaching and training students with respect to chemical safety. Finally, a recent project is in works to analyze practices for developing inclusive classrooms in chemistry with a specific interest in how can we better design course materials and formative assessments.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor of the Practice of Chemistry
·
2020 - Present
Chemistry,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Recent Publications
Beyond VSEPR─The Significance of p-Orbital Conjugation in Determining the Hybridization
Journal Article Journal of Chemical Education · September 10, 2024 General chemistry is a foundational course designed, in part, to prepare students for organic chemistry and subsequent advanced chemistry courses. Models introduced in general chemistry, such as Lewis structures, resonance, and hybridization, are reiterate ... Full text CiteConjugation Amplifies Complexity: A Comparison of Problem-Solving Strategies Across the Organic Chemistry Sequence
Journal Article Journal of Chemical Education · July 9, 2024 Featured Publication Resonance structures are central representations in organic chemistry that explain trends in acidity, reactivity, geometry, and stability. Despite being a central representation, prior research findings have shown that students’ productive application of r ... Full text CiteHow Much? How Fast? A Study of Kinetics and Thermodynamics through the Lens of Reaction Coordinate Diagrams in Organic Chemistry
Journal Article Journal of Chemical Education · June 11, 2024 Featured Publication Correctly predicting the products and having a qualitative understanding of their ratios is a fundamental skill fostered in organic chemistry. This skill can involve the electron-pushing formalism (EPF) and reaction coordinate diagrams (RCDs). These repres ... Full text CiteEducation, Training & Certifications
Clemson University ·
2006
Ph.D.
North Carolina State University ·
2001
B.S.