stephen george

Involves the supervision of, and demonstration to, laboratories routinely containing groups of 16-18 first year students.

This position has two key focuses: 1) To monitor the changes to the perception of laboratory aims (and the subsequent effect on student learning) from the altercations arising from 2). Primarily, this will include surveys, focus groups and interviews of all chemistry students (up to 1500) and all teaching staff at Monash University. 2) To aid the chief Education Developer with the task of updating all chemistry labs at Monash University to incorporate industry ties and a greater degree of inquiry-based learning. Work includes hands on practical development, creation of in-lab proformas and pre-lab quiz development on Moodle.

Involved the supervision of, and demonstration to, laboratories routinely containing groups of 16-18 first year students. Involved the direct tutoring of 30-40 1st year students on introductory/general chemistry. Involved the supervision of, and demonstration to, laboratories routinely containing 10-15 international students in introductory chemistry.

Undertook a 2nd year Multivariable Calculus and 4th year Linear algebra course by distance. Achieved a Higher Distinction mark for both courses.

The project had two main goals: the investigation into the current synthesis of known polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) and as the effect of the non-planarity of curved PAH's on their reactivity. New synthetic pathways were developed alongside a new understanding of the effects of the non-planarity on common electrophilic reactions and interactions with incipient charges. Time was spent on exchange in the laboratory of Prof. Lawrence Scott (Boston College). Activities and Societies: President of the Students of Chemistry Society in 2010.

Honours project: Understanding heterocyclic reactions in ionic liquids: Regioselectivity and rates. Activities and Societies: 3 Summer scholarships: UNSW, Sydney - Worked as a lab assistant in the Stride group investigation the complexation od chloroform ans sulfur dioxide using 1H NMR Spectroscopy. CSIRO, Adelaide - Worked as a lab assistant investigating the chemical changes that occur if wine is left exposed to higher temperatures for various periods of time. ANU, Canberra - Worked as a lab assistant in the Sherburn group on the synthesis of a range of dendralenes.