Teaching Fellow in Chemistry and Interdisciplinary Science

MChem, PhD (Liverpool) 

Tel: 0116 252 3616

email: dpw10@le.ac.uk

Teaching and Learning

Since arriving at Leicester in 2007 I have helped the department develop an innovative approach to the teaching of chemistry. In collaboration with Dr Jonny Woodward and Dr Dai Davies, I have developed a series of Context/Problem Based Learning (C/PBL) case studies and embedded these into year one of the chemistry course at Leicester.

I am currently working in collaboration with Dr Dai Davies on the development of multimedia resources that will support the learning experience. I am also working on the development of resources for the new CH2022 (Communicating Chemistry) module.

I am a Member of both the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the RSC Tertiary Education Group Committee. I am also a regular contributor to the HEA Physical Science Centre's 'Reviews' journal.

Recent Publications

1. "A Tiny Adventure: the introduction of problem based learning in an undergraduate chemistry course." Dylan P. Williams, Jonathan R. Woodward, Sarah L. Symons and David L. Davies, Chem. Educ. Res. Pract., 2010, 11, 33-42

2. "Context/Problem Based Learning in Chemistry - Sharing Lessons and Making it Work." Simon Belt, Dai Davies, Paul Martin, Karen Moss, Tina Overton, Sarah Symons, Dylan P Williams and Jonny Woodward, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2009.

3. "Size-Selective Separation of Polydisperse Gold Nanoparticles in Supercritical Ethane." Dylan P. Williams and John Satherley, Langmuir, 2009, 26, 6, 3743-3747

Other Publications

1. "Educating scholars" Sarah Houlton, Chemistry World, 2012, 9, 4, 72. This article features an interview with me on my experiences as a teaching fellow.

Recent Presentations

1. "Chemistry Clips - Multimedia Resources for Supporting Student Learning in Chemistry." Dylan P. Williams and David L. Davies, Variety in Chemistry Education, 2011, University of York.
2. "Teaching Foundation Year Chemists by Problem Based Learning." Dylan P. Williams and Katy J. McKenzie, Variety in Chemistry Education, 2010, Loughborough University.
3. "Developing a Sustainable Approach to Problem-Based Learning in Chemistry." Dylan P. Williams, Eurovariety in Chemistry Education, 2009, University of Manchester.
4. "A Tiny Adventure – The Introduction of PBL to the University of Leicester." Dylan P. Williams, Jonathan R. Woodward, Sarah L. Symons, David L. Davies, Variety in Chemistry Education, 2008, Dublin City University.

Funding Awarded

• "Multimedia Resources for Teaching Problem Solving in Chemistry." University of Leicester - Academic Practice Unit, 2011.
• "The Chemistry of Energy - C/PBL Resource Development." Royal Society of Chemistry, 2011.
• "Chemistry's Frontiers - C/PBL Resource Development." Royal Society of Chemistry, 2011.

Modules

I am currently involved in the teaching of the following modules:

• CH1000 (Chemical Principles) - Course convenor for the 2011-12 academic year
• CH1006 (Coordination Chemistry)
• CH1041 (Chemistry Special Topics Part A)
• CH1042 (Chemistry Special Topics Part B)
• CH1054 (Organic and Physical Chemistry Practical)
• CH2006 (Organometallic Chemistry)
• CH2010 (Molecular Spectroscopy)
• CH2022 (Communicating Chemistry) - Course convenor
• Level 3 Chemistry BSc project supervision
• PA1011 (Prophets and Powers)
• PA1012 (Science of the Invisible) - Course convenor
• PA1023 (Laboratory Science 1)
• PA2011 (Time and Energy) - Course convenor
• PA2013 (Molecules by Design) - Course convenor
• PA2023 (Laboratory Science 2)
• PA3017 (Nanoscale Frontiers)
• PA3030 (Science in Context)
• PA3023 (Laboratory Science 3)