Dr Ian R. Hunt,  Senior Instructor, Dept of Chemistry, University of Calgary.
Email : irhunt@ucalgary.ca


Dr Ian Hunt

Background
Teaching Philosophy
Honours and Awards
Other Recognition
Fellowships
Published Articles
Book Chapters
PhD Thesis
Papers Presented
Other Articles
Text Books reviewed
Teaching Related Activities

Card

Background           

The upper tier on Polar Circus

Before you look at the academic side of my life, here is an insight into what keeps me sane and motivated (well most of the time).

 I love the outdoors and the mountains, and that's partly what made me come to Calgary. I spend as much time as I can out there, camping, hiking, scrambling, rock climbing and moderate alpine mountaineering. The "business card" above is a photo I took on Mt Athabasca in 2002. The high spots of my climbing activities to date include successful trips to Denali (Alaska, 6,194m, 1994), Island Peak (Nepal, 6,189m, 1991) and the Mexican volcanoes (Orizaba, Popo, Ixta, 1986).  My favourite alpine routes in the Rockies to date are Athabasca N.F., Edith Cavell east ridge. Mt Assiniboine N ridge and Mt Victoria.

When the white stuff arrives and the temperatures drop, I get out as often as I can. For years I did a lot of ice climbing as often as I can - (highlight = Polar Circus, see left, and a few new routes).  The Rockies are a great playground year round with more than a lifetime of things to do.  I am a member of the Calgary section of the Alpine Club of Canada.  Maybe one day I can claim to have climbed the 54 peaks of 11,000 ft or higher in the Rockies. In recent years, I've started to ski more - cross country and a little downhill thrown in, but mainly backcountry - and the little known sport of uphill (i.e. ski mountaineering).... funny, I am better at the uphill skiing than the downhill.

 I like to play soccer for Chinook/Villains O45A in the CUSA outdoor league. I broke my ankle in the summer of 2004 (on the day the Flames won game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final 3-1 - the ankle didn't stop me from going to the game !).

And of course family... I have two young children to keep me smiling and busy.

Bottom line

"Work hard, play harder" - mental work is best achieved by a fit and healthy body.

Teaching Philosophy

    Organic chemistry is not any easy subject to learn (by reputation to some degree), nor an easy subject to teach primarily because of those very student expectations. Many students see it a large collection of abstract facts, reactions and reagents. As a consequence at first contact students do not try to learn the material, but rather memorise reactions and concepts by rote. This isn't particularly appealing or useful for anyone involved. Therefore, in my opinion, the mechanistic approach rather than a functional group approach is a better method for overcoming the memorisation hurdle.

    The approach provides a means for developing an appreciation of the relationships and similarities between the various reactions and ultimately allows students to become more comfortable with the subject matter as a whole.In order to aid accomplishing the goal of a richer, deeper, longer lasting learning and appreciation of the subject matter, all course components need to be integrated (e.g. lecture and laboratory experiments). Computer technology can be used in lectures, tutorials, laboratories and for out of class content via email and discussion boards to encourage a more continual blended learning environment rather than promote the cram and forget mentality of examination preparation.

    Undergraduate students often separate the content lecture and laboratory components so they fail to see the important relationship between them. To correct this, careful experimental design, selection and scheduling can help illustrate the lecture topics. Combined with CAL, this can aid the understanding of an experiment before the actual laboratory session, and allow techniques to be demonstrated via photo sequences or videos. Once inside the laboratory, not only should students be confident enough to perform the experiments themselves, they should be able to write concise reports on the results. A tendency towards the “fill the blank” answer sheets or multiple choice examinations is having a detrimental effect on the quality of the students written language. Once in an industrial setting, research workers are required to keep both accurate records and report their results. We must make sure that the graduates are capable of doing this by making it part of the course work.

    Students in general have responded well to computer assisted learning (CAL) environment. I think this is partially because they tend not to be as shy in front of a computer compared to raising an issue in a conventional tutorial. The use of a chemistry drawing tool is now allowing the computer screen to be become more like a conventional sheet of paper.  Students can progress at their own rate and focus on their own weaknesses, provided they really want to learn. The medium can be made multimedia and interactive for all aspects of the course, such as experimental set ups or typical chemical test results, all in colour. Utilisation of the World Wide Web (WWW) means this can be done from any access point, a classroom, a home study, a cyber café, at any time, day or night, without even needing to be on the same continent as the instructor. CAL and WWW can be effectively combined to allow posting of sample problems and “worked” solutions sometime later. The system also lends itself to posting other course information, such as future lecture topics, experiments, grades etc. However, despite CAL sessions, it is important to maintain “office hour” contact. Combining this with CAL seems to be very effective. Digital laboratory manuals, complete with colour images and movies, practice exercises, and lecture support notes are now routine.

    I believe it is very important to make students realise that no question is “too stupid”, that it is possible to “know” the material, and that the instructor is prepared to provide the time and make the effort to help them work towards their goals, but hopefully at the same time have some fun.  Not all students will be organic chemists, but the promotion and the development of a scientific curiosity by asking “why ?” is important in its own right.  This is reflected in the statement "the journey from student to scientist begins with the quest for insight" (P. Atkins). But for all students in the class, it is important to develop their academic skills, converting them as early as possible from pampered high school students into capable independent learners and thinkers while getting them to recognise that they have the most control over what they get out of their university education.
  

Honours and Awards

2010 University of Calgary , Students' Union Teaching Excellence - Hall of Fame
2008 University of Calgary , Faculty of Science, Teaching Excellence Award - Honorable Mention
2007
 University of Calgary, Students' Union Teaching Excellence Award
2005
Nominated for University of Calgary, Students' Union Teaching Excellence Award
2004
 Nominated for University of Calgary, Students' Union Teaching Excellence Award
2003
 Nominated for University of Calgary, Students' Union Teaching Excellence Award
2002
 Nominated for University of Calgary, Students' Union Teaching Excellence Award
2001
 Nominated as Faculty of Science candidate for Presidents Circle Teaching Excellence Award
2001
 University of Calgary, Faculty of Science, Teaching Excellence Award
2001
 University of Calgary, Students' Union Teaching Excellence Award
1999
 University of Calgary, Students' Union Teaching Excellence Award
1998
 Nominated for University of Calgary, Students' Union Teaching Excellence Award
1987
 Fison’s Prize for Physical Organic Chemistry, University of East Anglia
1987
 Best Performance in Part 2 Undergraduate Examinations, University of East Anglia


Other Recognition  

2006
 Included as one of  "Popular Profs" in "Maclean's Guide to Canadian Universities"
2002
 Included as one of nineteen "Popular Profs" in "Maclean's Guide to Canadian Universities"
2001
 Included as one of nineteen "Popular Profs" in "Maclean's Guide to Canadian Universities"
2001
 Faculty Appreciation Award from Women In Science and Engineering
2000
 Included as one of eight "Popular Profs" in "Maclean's Guide to Canadian Universities"
2000
 Faculty Appreciation Award from Women in Science and Engineering
1999
 Included in “Great Teachers at the University of Calgary” (website)


Fellowships

University of Calgary Curriculum Redesign (01-99 to 09-99)

Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (01-93 to 01-96)

NSERC-Royal Society Bilateral Exchange Program (01-92 to 01-93)

Published Articles

  1. "2-(1-Naphthyl)cyclohexyl 3-furancarboxylate" by M. Parvez, I.R. Hunt and B.A. Keay, Acta Cryst. 2001, E57, 800

  2. "2-Phenylcyclohexyl 3-furancarboxylate" by M. Parvez, I.R. Hunt and B.A. Keay, Acta Cryst. 2001, E57, 802

  3. "2-(1-Naphthyl)cyclohexyl 2-methylfuran-3-carboxylate" by M. Parvez, I.R. Hunt and B.A. Keay, Acta Cryst. 2001, 804

  4. “Aspects of the Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction of a Furan Diene (IMDAF) Leading to the Formation of 1,4-Epoxydecalin” by B.A. Keay and I.R. Hunt, chapter in  “Advances in Cycloaddition”, JAI Press, ed. M. Harmata, 1999, 6, 173

  5. “Regioselective Preparation of 2,4-, 3,4-, and 2,3,4- Substituted Furan Rings. Part 1: [1,4] Oxygen to Carbon and [1,4] Carbon to Oxygen Silyl Migrations of Silyl Ethers and Esters Attached to Furan and Thiophene Rings”, by E. Bures, P.G. Spinazze, G. Beese, I.R. Hunt, C. Rogers, B.A. Keay, J. Org. Chem., 1997, 62, 8750

  6. “Regioselective Preparation of 2,4-, 3,4-, and 2,3,4- Substituted Furan Rings. Part 2: The Regiospecific Lithiation of 2-Silylated-3-Substituted Furan Rings”, by E. Bures, J.A. Nieman, S. Yu, P.G. Spinazze, J.-L.J. Bontront, I.R. Hunt, A. Rauk, B.A. Keay, J Org. Chem., 1997, 62, 8741

  7. “A Short, Efficient Preparation of (+) and (-)-trans-2-Phenylcyclohexanol”, by B.E. Carpenter, I.R. Hunt and B.A. Keay, Tetrahedron Asymmetry, 1996, 3107

  8. “Why Do Catalytic Quantities of Lewis Acid Generally Yield More Product than 1.1 Equivalents in the IMDAF Reaction ? Part 2. AM1 Calculations and Mathematical Simulation of the Equilibria”, by I.R. Hunt, A. Rauk and B.A. Keay, J.Org.Chem., 1996, 61, 751

  9. “Why Do Catalytic Quantities of Lewis Acid Generally Yield More Product than 1.1 Equivalents in the IMDAF Reaction ? Competitive Complexation NMR Studies Provide an Answer”, by I.R. Hunt, C. Rogers, S. Woo, A. Rauk and B.A. Keay, J.Am.Chem. Soc., 1995, 117, 1049

  10. “Lewis Acidity and Basicity. An Ab Initio Study of Proton and BF3 Affinities of Oxygen Containing Organic Compounds”, by A. Rauk, I.R. Hunt and B.A. Keay, J.Org.Chem., 1994, 59, 6808

  11. “Diels-Alder Reaction of Fumaronitrile and Cyclopentadiene in Water: The Influence of co-solutes”, by I. Hunt and C.D. Johnson, J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. II, 1991, 1051

  12. “Stereoelectronic Effects In Ring Closure Reactions: The 2’-Hydroxychalcone - Flavanone Equilibrium, and Related Systems”, by C.M. Brennan, I. Hunt, T.C. Jarvis, C.D. Johnson and P.D.McDonnell, Can. J. Chem., 1990, 1780.

Book Chapters

            B.A. Keay, I.R Hunt, 1999, "Aspects of the Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction of a Furan Diene (IMDAF) Leading to the Formation of 1,4-Epoxydecalin Systems" in Advances in Cycloaddition, Editor: M. Harmata, JAI Press Inc.

Ph.D. Thesis
          
            I.R.Hunt, 1990, "Ring Closure Reactions", University of East Anglia, Norwich, England.  (A physical organic study of the aqueous Diels-Alder reaction)

Papers Presented

  1. "Grading Experimental Reports", by I.R. Hunt, presented at Canadian College Chemistry conference, Mount Royal College, May 2003

  2. "The Mechanistic Approach to Teaching Organic Chemistry", by I.R. Hunt, presented at Canadian College Chemistry conference, Mount Royal College, May 2003

  3. "Experiments for an Advanced Organic Laboratory", by I.R. Hunt, presented at Canadian College Chemistry conference, Mount Royal College, May 2003

  4. "On-Line Materials to Support Teaching Organic Chemistry Courses", by I.R. Hunt, presented at Canadian College Chemistry conference, Mount Royal College, May 2003

  5. "Using the On-Line Learning Center for Carey's "Organic Chemistry " by I.R. Hunt presented at Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC) Conference and Exhibition. University of British Columbia, June 2002

  6. "Using On-Line Coursework in Organic Chemistry Courses" by I.R. Hunt presented at Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC) Conference and Exhibition. University of British Columbia, June 2002

  7. "Using CHIME to facilitate learning in Organic Chemistry" by I.R. Hunt presented at Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC) Conference and Exhibition. University of British Columbia, June 2002

  8. "Getting SMILES from Organic Chemistry Students" by I.R. Hunt and R. Spinney, presented at Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC) Conference and Exhibition. University of British Columbia, June 2002

  9. "Using CHIME to facilitate learning in Organic Chemistry" by I.R. Hunt, presented at Workshop on Molecular Modeling in Undergraduate Instruction, University of Lethbridge, May 2001

  10. "Escaping from Multiple Choice when On-Line" by I.R. Hunt, presented at Workshop on Molecular Modeling in Undergraduate Instruction, University of Lethbridge, May 2001

  11. "Experiences Using the WWW for Teaching Organic Chemistry" by I.R. Hunt, presented at the Canadian Chemistry Conference, Calgary, Alberta, May 2000

  12. "Organic Chemistry On-Line" by I.R.Hunt and R.Spinney, presented at Teaching and Learning Technologies: Best Practices, University of Calgary, Alberta, May 1999

  13. "Studies Towards the Synthesis of (+)- Avarol and Analogues", by I.R. Hunt and B.A. Keay, presented at Canadian Chemistry Conference, Guelph, Ontario, May 1995

  14. "Studies Towards the Development of an Asymmetric Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction Employing a Furan Diene", by I.R. Hunt and B.A. Keay, presented at Canadian Chemistry Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba, May 1994

  15. "NMR Studies on the Complexation of a Lewis Acid, MeAlCl2 , with Various Functional Groups.  Implications for the Catalysis of IMDAF Reactions", by I.R. Hunt and B.A. Keay, presented at American Chemical Society National Organic Chemistry Symposium, Bozeman, Montana, June 1993

  16. "NMR Studies on the Complexation of a Lewis Acid, MeAlCl2 , with Various Functional Groups.  Implications for the Catalysis of IMDAF Reactions", by I.R. Hunt and B.A. Keay, presented at Canadian Chemistry Conference, Sherbrooke, Quebec, May 1993

  17. "Kinetic and High Pressure Studies Towards the Development of an Asymmetric IMDAF Reaction Utilising Chiral Lewis Acids", by I.R. Hunt and B.A. Keay, presented at Canadian Chemistry Conference, Sherbrooke, Quebec, May 1993.

Other Articles

1.         "Organic Chemistry on the Web", by I.R. Hunt, Gazette, New Currents in Teaching and Technology, March 1998

Text book reviews for Publishers

Field, Sternhall and Kalman, "Organic Structures from Spectra", 3rd ed. Wiley

Jones "Organic Chemistry" 2nd ed., Norton

Brown and Foote, "Organic Chemistry", 3rd ed., Saunders College Publishing.

Vollhardt and Schore, "Organic Chemistry, Structure and Function", 3rd ed.,

Freeman. Fox and Whitesell, "Organic Chemistry", 2nd ed., Jones and Bartlett.

Bruice "Organic Chemistry" 3rd. ed., Prentice Hall.

Other Teaching related Activities

  1. Course Homepages.
    Development started in Fall 1996 with the aim of promoting student learning by providing a resource that is readily available. Class email list utilised Spring 1997 to Winter 2003, now use discussion board.  (URL : http://www.chem.ucalgary.ca/courses/351/index.html)

  2. On-Line Coursework
    Development started in Fall 1998 still continuing : using web based technology to create assessments to increase quality of CAL experience, relieve marking strain and associated inefficiencies. Provide students with useful feedback for enhanced learning experience.  In 2006 we switched from Chime to JMOL.

  3. Organic Laboratory Techniques Video Project
    Video shot (spring / summer 2003) of standard laboratory techniques for use a pre-laboratory preparation materials and in laboratory virtual TA stations.

  4. LEE Project "Organic Chemistry On-Line"
    Coordinator for LEE grant  (2000) : Web based Course Development for Organic Chemistry.

  5. Content Developer for On-Line Learning centre for "Organic Chemistry" by F.A. Carey, 4th and 5th ed. McGraw-Hill.
    (local URL : http://www.chem.ucalgary.ca/courses/351/Carey5th/Carey.html)

  6. Chemistry Program Curriculum Redesign / Explicit Syllabus
    Attended Teaching and Learning Curriculum Project meetings. Created the revised explicit syllabus for the Chemistry programs.  Interaction with faculty during Chemistry program redesign. Development of new course descriptions (Chem 455 "Advanced Organic Laboratory", Chem 355 "Organic Chemistry II for Chemists", Chem 003 "Organic Laboratory Upgrade").

  7. Organic Laboratory Development
  8. Laboratory Manual for Chemistry 351 and 353  (Fall 1997 to 2006)
    Annual review and development of the manual.  Improved images, text revisions, revision of experiments and introductory materials in response to feedback from TAs and students. In summer 2001, digital photographs of experimental set-ups were taken for development work.

  9. Laboratory Instructors Manual for Chemistry 351 and 353 (Fall 1997 to date)
    Annual review and development of the manuals with text revisions, updating and improving grading schemes based on weekly discussions with TAs.

  10. Laboratory Manual for Chemistry 354 (Fall 2000)
    Review and development of the manual. Improved images, revised text, modification to experiments.

  11. Chemistry 555 : Advanced Organic Laboratory (Winter '02, '03, '04, '05, '07) (formerly Chem 455)
    New course development, experimental selection and design, creation of the online student laboratory manual.

  12. Adoption of CPS "Clickers" (Fall 2004)
    CPS = Classroom performance system.  A wireless technology to promote active learning by facilitating student active participation and involvement.
    (URL  : http://www.chem.ucalgary.ca/courses/350/cps.html)

  13. Online student training manual for Chem 453 (Fall 2004)
    Chem 453 uses computer modelling software "Spartan" - on-line stepwise training tool developed.

  14. Chemistry 559 : Advanced Organic Spectroscopy (Fall '05, '06)
    New course development and design. Problem solving is a key component of the course delivery and evaluation.

  15. ITBL Project
    Improvement to assessment tools in Blackboard to allow short answer questions (text matching) with response specific feedback - this proved unsuccessful due to the limitations of Blackboard.

  16. Senior Editor for "ChemCoach" (continuing)
    Reviewed and editted questions in McGraw-Hill Organic Chemistry homework system.

  17. iUniversity Chem 351 Podcasts (Fall 2006)

  18. Laboratory Manual for Chemistry 351 and 353  (Fall 2007)
    No more paper, student laboratory manual moved online (pdf) to allow for colour pictures, video and avoiding being cramped by publishing deadlines.