Using Tailored Learning Approach to Teach Free-radical Polymerization of Polymer Science in Pharmaceutics Experiment

Abstract

This article focused on cultivating the critical thinking required by pharmaceutical students in polymer synthesis involved in pharmacy. We modified the previous teaching method in which students simply follow the existing experimental procedures to obtainpredetermined results. In the independent design experiment phase, students use textbooks, laboratory books and related literature to complete the free radical polymerization experiment in 8 credit hours. Under the conditions of [monomer]:[chain transfer agent]:[initiator]=100/1/0.5 and 100/1/1, the monomer converting rate and ln[M]0/[M]tboth showed a linear growth pattern with the increasing of polymerization reaction time, meanwhile the obtained polymer Mw/Mn ranged from 1.04 to 1.14. Our results show that this particular approach to polymer science in pharmaceutics experiment increases students confidence and fosters their ability to innovate.