This story was originally published by the Honors College.
From synthesizing metal-organic frameworks to presenting research findings, first-year students in the honors general chemistry sequence experience science as it is practiced in the real world. One of the longest-running honors offerings at Oregon State, the three-term series gives participating students access to advanced laboratory experiences, faculty mentorship and a learning community that often shapes their academic paths in their very first year.
The sequence, which teaches foundational chemistry concepts and skills to undergraduate students majoring in the sciences, has been offered as an honors course since the Honors College was founded in 1995. It was the college’s first full-year, multi-section course, initiated and originally taught by now-retired chemistry professor Jim Krueger. Krueger played a critical role in establishing the Honors College and was an early exemplar of the engaged and innovative teaching style that continues to characterize honors course instruction. He reflected in a 2019 interview that “teaching honors general chem was probably the best teaching experience of my career overall.”
This sentiment is echoed by Michael Burand, an associate professor of chemistry who oversees all 200-level general chemistry laboratory courses. Burand also taught the first-term lecture course for honors general chemistry in fall 2024 and 2025. “We all love teaching the honors lecture,” he said, speaking both for himself and his colleagues in the chemistry department. “I think we’d all teach it every term if we could.”
