NORMAN – A general chemistry class taught by University of Oklahoma Professor Michael Abraham recently was selected from 114 chemistry courses across the nation as one of the top three examples of best practices in the subject area.

The award, presented by the Center for Educational Policy Research at the University of Oregon, sought permission from Abraham to share his course with members of the Advanced Placement Redesign Commission, stating his course is “an example of an outstanding model in its subject area.”

“Abraham’s selection for this prestigious recognition clearly shows the importance that the department and members of the faculty place on quality education, even as they maintain one of the strongest research programs on campus,” said Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Paul B. Bell.

OU is one of only a few universities in the country to offer a doctorate in chemistry with an emphasis in chemical education. Abraham, whose research interests include science program development and evaluation; instructional strategies; student misconceptions in chemistry; visualization; and the role of computers in instruction is considered the department’s resident “education expert.” He directs the program that teaches students the instructional aspects of chemistry.

The program is designed to provide prospective college chemistry faculty members a thorough academic experience in chemistry and chemical education so they will be able to plan, instruct and direct an undergraduate chemistry program.

Through his instruction, Abraham provides students with background in theory so they can design and implement instructional strategies; design, develop and evaluate curriculum; and perform research in science education. He also provides students with research experience in chemistry, enabling them to direct future undergraduate research projects.

Abraham has been recognized with a Regents’ Award for Superior Teaching, the Henry Daniel Rinsland Award for Excellence in Educational Research and a David Ross Boyd Professorship. In addition, he has co-authored many research articles, which have been published in the Journal of Research in Science Teaching. He received his doctorate from Florida State University in 1973, master of arts degree from Emory University in 1965 and bachelor of arts degree from Grinnell College in 1964.

While Abraham is the named and deserving recipient of this most recent honor, many individuals in the department have contributed to the program’s achievement, said Glenn Dryhurst, Regents’ Professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, a unit of the College of Arts and Sciences.