Peer Leading

Course Description

The purpose of this course (CHM 3941) is to prepare and support you in your efforts to become an effective peer leader for small groups of general chemistry students. You will lead the students through activities designed to improve their understanding of the chemistry topics covered in the lecture or through videos watched outside of class. Your role is not to teach or tutor these students, but rather to guide them through collaborative learning activities.

The Peer Leading course involves a review of the topics the students are learning. The students and you will be working on developing or improving skills in information processing, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, management, teamwork, and assessment.

Benefits

• Strengthen leadership experience
• Development of oral communication and facilitation skills
• Collaboration and teamwork skill building
• Review of chemistry concepts
• Serve as a mentor and a role model for general chemistry students
• Establish positive relationships with faculty and peers
• Enhance transferrable skills related to your personal and professional goals
• Receive undergraduate credit

Credits

All Biomedical Sciences Majors can use CHM 3941: Peer Leading to count towards their Tier 2 Upper-Level Chemistry, Tier 2 Upper Level Chemistry or Biology or Tier 2 Upper-Level Additional Biomedical Electives Course Requirements.

Students still needing clarification about eligibility can email the advisors, please include your full name, U# , and major in the body of your email along with your question.

For majors outside of Biomedical Sciences:
Please be sure to check with your academic advisor to determine how Peer Leading credits will count toward your degree requirements (ex. major elective, 42-hr rule, etc...).

Application Process

Requirements to be eligible for Chemistry Peer Leading

All students interested in peer leading will need to have completed General Chemistry I (CHM 2045) and General Chemistry II (CHM 2046) with a grade of B or better in both courses. Students currently enrolled in General Chemistry II can also apply. Interested students should complete the online application (see below).

Course Time 

General Chemistry 1
Applicants for Spring 2023 must be available on Thursdays from 5 PM to 7:45PM AND on Fridays from 8 AM to 10:20 AM or 11 AM to 1:20 PM.

General Chemistry 2
Applicants for Spring 2023 must be available on Monday from 2 PM to 3:15PM AND on Wednesdaysfrom 12:30 PM to 3:15 PM.

Peer Leader Application

The General Chemistry Peer Leader Application is now open. The application will close on October 28th.

For peer leaders who want to be considered for working with General Chemistry 2 students, you will need to complete a diagnostic.

The diagnostic will take no longer than 25 minutes and will be offered: Tuesday, October 25 at 12:30 PM in CPR 204

Wednesday, October 26 at 10 AM in EDU 261

Friday, October 28 at 2 PM in CHE 100.

You only need to attend one of these times and should bring a calculator and a pencil to the diagnostic. 

Here is the link to the General Chemistry Peer Leader Qualtrics: https://usf.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dptelk6BYtwDj14 

The Organic Chemistry Peer Leader Application will open once the Spring 2023 schedule is finalized. The spring application will close for early acceptances on Sunday, October 16th at 5:00PM. Positions open until filled. Students need an A+ (or high A) in Organic Chemistry II to apply. 

Here is the link to the Organic Chemistry Peer Leader Qualtrics:

https://usf.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3F6eQXM0Ttc9VQi 

Contact

Faculty Information
Ushiri Kulatunga (Peer Leading for General Chemistry 1)
Associate Professor of Instruction
Department of Chemistry
Office: SCA 425

Scott Lewis (Peer Leading for General Chemistry 2)
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry
Office: CHE 202B

Kim Fields (Peer Leading for Organic Chemistry)
Associate Professor of Instruction
Department of Chemistry
Office: BSF 301

Advisor Information

If you have questions or need clarification about requirements, credit hours, credits towards degree or other concerns, feel free to contact ChemAdvise@usf.edu. Please put "Peer Leading" in the subject line of your email and include your full name, U# , and major in the body of your email along with your question. Questions about the status of your application should be directed to faculty.