Organic Chemistry: A Learner-Centered Approach, 1st Edition
Richard Mullins, Xavier University
Built for the way students learn organic chemistry
Organic Chemistry: A Learner-Centered Approach teaches students how to learn organic chemistry. Author Rick Mullins’ friendly and conversational style establishes an authentic rapport through a balance of authority and humor. Using a pedagogy driven by modern learning science, he continuously moves students away from memorization of facts and superficial shortcuts — leading them to a fuller understanding of the fundamental principles that link essential concepts.
The interactive and Socratic narrative incorporates Rick’s personal classroom style — creating a dialog with the students while coaching them through mechanisms to emphasize the why behind chemical reactivity. This unique approach makes difficult concepts clear and accessible, without sacrificing rigor — enabling students to succeed in organic chemistry by understanding the chemical logic behind the problem-solving process.
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Features
Encourage learning with features that challenge students to think critically and build problem-solving skills. See how the features and Mastering® Chemistry work hand-in-hand to personalize learning and help students become active participants in their learning — leading to better results. Learn more about Mastering Chemistry.
Thinking like a Chemist
These discussions help students approach topics the way a scientist might, reminding students of questions to ask about the material. Students are able to practice analytical thinking while building their confidence.
Coaching Tips
The bracketed comments speak directly to students throughout the text, creating an interactive reading experience. Often Socratic in nature, the comments pose questions and suggest ways to process difficult information.
Innovative Art Program
Informed by Chemical Education Research, the innovative art program offers students an outstanding visual learning experience that helps combat memorization and promote deep understanding.
Green Chemistry
Green Chemistry shows students a more sustainable and environmentally responsible way to do chemistry, encouraging them to consider implications of chemical syntheses and processes in organic chemistry.
Chemistry in Context
Chemistry in Context boxes help students make direct connections to real-world applications in the areas of biology, pharmacy, medicine and biochemistry.
Engaging Video Content
Integrated throughout the narrative, visually engaging videos feature the author and his colleagues working through problems — encouraging students to check their understanding of key concepts and reaction mechanisms.
Pearson eText
A mobile-optimized reading experience, Pearson eText seamlessly integrates videos, problem sets, and other rich media to engage students and motivate them to keep reading and keep learning.
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Richard Mullins, PhD
Richard J. Mullins, born near Detroit, Michigan, grew up in Middle Tennessee where his love of sports and science was cultivated. He attended Centre College, where he pitched for the college baseball team. Though he entered college intending to pursue a career in medicine, an inspiring organic chemistry professor changed his path, leading him to graduate in 1998 with a B.S. in Chemistry and plans for a career as an organic chemist. Upon enrolling at Indiana University, he considered multiple careers in chemistry before soon realizing that teaching at an undergraduate institution was his calling. After earning his Ph.D. from Indiana University in 2004, specializing in organic chemistry, Rick was hired as a tenure track professor at Xavier University.
He has taught at Xavier University ever since, being recently promoted in 2017 to Professor. His teaching has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Joan G. McDonald Teaching Award which recognizes excellent teaching in the sciences as well as the Alpha Sigma Nu Bishop Fenwick Teacher of the Year Award, the most prestigious teaching award given at Xavier University. His research has traditionally been focused on the development and application of new methods for the synthesis of small natural products with potential medicinal applications. Rick lives in Cincinnati, OH with his wife, Mary, daughter, Maggie, and son, John. When not teaching or writing about organic chemistry, Rick still enjoys participating in sports by coaching his son’s select baseball team, running marathons and half-marathons, and supporting his favorite college and professional sports teams. Though records can’t confirm it, because of his longevity in the sport, Rick is the [self-proclaimed] all-time leading scorer in intramural basketball history at Xavier University.
Brief contents
1. Introduction to Organic Chemistry
2. General Chemistry Translated: Finding the Electrons
3. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes: Properties and Conformational Analysis
4. Acids and Bases/Electron Flow
5. Chemical Reaction Analysis: Thermodynamics and Kinetics
6. Stereoisomerism: Arrangement of Atoms in Space
7. Principles of Green (Organic) Chemistry
8. Alkenes 1: Properties and Electrophilic Additions
9. Alkenes 2: Oxidation and Reduction
10. Alkynes: Electrophilic Addition and Redox Reactions
11. Properties and Synthesis of Alkyl Halides: Radical Reactions
12. Substitution and Elimination: Reaction of Haloalkanes
13. Alcohols, Ethers and Related Compounds: Substitution and Elimination
14. Structural Identification 1: Infrared Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry
15. Structural Identification 2: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
16. Metals in Organic Chemistry
17. Carbonyl Addition Reactions: Aldehydes and Ketones
18. Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution 1: Carboxylic Acids
19. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution 2
20. Enolates/Carbonyl Addition and Substitution
21. Conjugated Systems 1: Stability and Addition Reactions
22. Conjugated Systems 2: Pericyclic Reactions
23. Benzene 1: Aromatic Stability and Substitution Reactions
24. Benzene 2: Aromatic Stability and Substitution Reactions
25. Amines: Structure, Reactions, and Synthesis
26. Amino Acids, Proteins, and Peptide Synthesis
27. Carbohydrates, Nucleic Acids, and Lipids
28. Synthetic Polymers
“Rick has written a great book and I love the voice and tone throughout the chapters. It is like having a tutor sit right next to you.”
- Reviewer, Moraine Valley Community College
“This book is FOR the reader. Text boxes and pictures make it very easy to understand examples and therefore comprehend the material with ease.”
- Student, Seminole State
