John Leyba In Chemistry PDF

Preview

Summary

John Leyba In Chemistry...

Description

John Leyba In Chemistry Writing is not the first thing that comes to mind when the word chemistry comes appears. With the subject of chemistry, people usually think of cool experiments such as making toxic chemicals and blowing things up; however, writing plays a very vital part as a chemist. Dr. John Leyba, the chemistry and biochemistry department head and professor at the University of North Georgia (UNG), was able to give an insight of writing in the world of chemistry. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Truman State University and a Ph.D. in Nuclear Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Leyba was able to provide a plethora of experience in writing from both school and work during the conversation. After speaking with Dr. Leyba, it was made clear that writing is vital both academically and professionally in chemistry, as well as personally as I further advance my education and pursue career path in the science of chemistry. From an academic perspective, writing in chemistry varies between the different levels of education. For example, the expectations in writing abilities are very different when comparing a high school student and a student in graduate school. High school and undergraduate students are expected to write lab reports, whereas

graduate students write a dissertation or a thesis. The expectations between the two are greatly different, but Dr. Leyba says that as students progress through school, the writings will eventually “cultivate into longer papers . . . to learn as you go along, kind of like training and building up your stamina”. Students go to school to learn and to add additional layers to the foundation built over years. Here at UNG, the expectations of writings are just simply lab reports and other forms of papers, but in graduate studies, the expectations are much greater. Dr. Leyba explained that even in chemistry, a student is expected to produce a journal article, and also a thesis or a dissertation. A dissertation can span up to couple of hundreds of pages, and is reviewed by a board of committees who then guide the student through writing the final copy of the dissertation. Dr. Leyba was able to show me a previous student’s dissertation, and it seemed as if it was a textbook due to its size. In school, the writings are purely educational as students learn with each report they write, so that in the future they will have the proper techniques needed in higher education. In the professional world of chemistry, scientists publish their works into scientific journals as well as reports. Dr. Leyba was previously employed by Westinghouse Savannah River Company as a principal

scientist prior to teaching, and one of his many roles was to test water samples sent in from different sources. Being a principle scientist, Dr. Leyba had to write tech reports, which were presented to specific internal audiences. In the reports, he would discuss his findings and methodologies all using many scientific terminologies. In the world of chemistry, some words may have a different meaning than the same word in a different subject area. Dr. Leyba states that “Other scientists will be reading it, but there is also some specific lingo in it that the department of energy would understand”, implying that even though anybody would be able to read the writing, Dr. Leyba wrote to a specific audience and used words and or terminologies that only the specific audience would understand. While on this topic, he mentioned that proper citation is of high importance. Also an author of a textbook, Dr. Leyba emphasized that giving proper credit to the sources used is important since he would want the same for someone using his works. Citations are important in English class, but it is highly important that citations are used since writing in chemistry is purely factual. Even with a career in chemistry, the individual has to be able to write to establish him or herself in the science world as they publish reports, journals, etc.

Reflecting back to the interview, it is clear that in academia the whole point is to learn the importance of writing and writing well. Even though chemistry is highly math based, I know that I must be able to convey my findings into words that flow ever effortlessly, while also being concise and accurate. Dr. Leyba included that since the scientific world is solely fact based, it is important that the writings and the meanings are to the point. I realize that I must pay attention to the details in all the things I do and learn in both class and lab, so that I can clearly present the information accurately. Another thing that Dr. Leyba mentioned was that “sometimes a student may not say what they mean”, implicating that the student may have gone off topic, or was not concise with their findings. As I progress through the many years of college ahead of me, I realize I have to think, with each word I write I must make perfect sense to my audience, so that they can understand and be able to reiterate whatever I wrote. At the end of the interview, the tables turned and I was asked about my future goals in the professional field. I have always dreamed of working for health organizations such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), or even the National Institutes of Health (NIH). My thoughts were quickly

occupied by the thoughts of the countless amount of papers that I will have to write in the field. Even before getting a job with these organizations, I would need to have an astonishing cover letter and résumé. Dr. Leyba told me that even in science and specifically chemistry that cover letters and résumé are of high significance as they are used to impress the potential employer. Since the organizations are fairly selective, I know that if I were to beat all other candidates for a job, I must have a very impressive résumé and cover letter. Dr. Leyba told me that he had to hire some employees and that he did not bother consider reading the poorly made ones and simply threw them in the trash. With that said, I know that whether or not I decide to pursue a career in the field of chemistry, I must impress my audience anywhere I go. From the interview with Dr. Leyba, it was clear that writing will play an immersive role in the field of chemistry, both academically and professionally. Dr. John Leyba was a pleasure to interview as he gave many specific examples of writings, and his past experiences in both industry and college. From writing lab reports to a dissertation or a thesis to a tech reports in the field, Dr. Leyba made sure to inform me that writing in this field is purely to inform the audience of which is

addressed. Factual or theorized, the writings should be told concisely and accurately, so that the paper is as reliable as possible. From the standpoint of professional career, I have the upmost respect to Dr. Leyba as his research and writings have earned him the title that he has now, and I understand that the importance of writing will greatly influence my future....