In a typical college chemistry class, students are often limited to following instructions and running lab tests. However, the Chemistry 3100 course at Northeastern University is a unique departure from this norm.
Interdisciplinary Approach
Chemistry 3100 combines chemistry, product development, and a touch of marketing to explore the creation of personal care products. The course originated from student interest in making their own cosmetics and learning the chemistry behind it. Leila Deravi, associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology, was inspired by her own research on color change and cephalopods and founded a skin care company called Seaspire in 2019.
Student Feedback
Jillian Zerkowski, a fourth-year biochemistry major, described the course as “interdisciplinary” and “exciting.” She said the students learned about the chemical composition and structure of personal care products and then got to develop their own products. “It’s been really exciting to get to do that,” Zerkowski said. The course combines chemistry, product development, and marketing by covering a wide range of cosmetics, including soaps, lotions, and makeup.
- Students learned about the biology and chemistry behind personal care products.
- They also examined the regulations imposed on these products.
- Additionally, they were able to try their hand at making their own cosmetics.
The Lab Experience
In the lab, students spent about three or four lab periods making and tweaking the formulations of their product. They were able to see the difference that their changes made in the product’s texture and consistency.
| Step | Process |
|---|---|
| Designing the product | Students chose a need in the market, designed the product, and created a prototype. |
| Formulation | Students worked on formulating the product, including selecting ingredients and adjusting concentrations. |
| Testing | Students tested their product for efficiency and made adjustments as needed. |
Quotations
“It’s meant to be an avenue for folks to take their knowledge about chemistry and their interest in product development (and go) from individual ingredients, putting them together, making a product that meets some sort of unmet need in the industry and then seeing it all the way through the life cycle.”
—Leila Deravi, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
“We spent about three or four lab periods making and tweaking the formulations of our product. Every change that I would make to the formula, I could see the difference. For lip gloss in our first lab, we had our base formula, tried the product, and realized it was a little too thin. After that we talked and tweaked some of the concentrations, and then the next class we made the new one that stayed on better and had better texture.”
—Jacob Bandell, Fourth-Year Cellular Molecular Biology Major
Key Takeaways
* Students learned about the chemistry and biology behind personal care products. * Students were able to develop their own products using the knowledge they gained. * The course provided a unique opportunity for students to see the entire development process, from design to testing. * Students gained hands-on experience in product development and were able to see the impact of their changes on the final product.
Further Exploration
The Chemistry 3100 course has opened up new possibilities for students interested in product development and chemistry. With the increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products, the course provides a unique opportunity for students to explore these topics.
Opportunities for Future Research
The course has also sparked new ideas for future research in the field of product development and chemistry. Students were able to explore the development of products that meet unmet needs in the industry, and some have even proposed new ideas for innovative products.
Conclusion
The Chemistry 3100 course has demonstrated the value of interdisciplinary learning in chemistry education. By combining chemistry, product development, and marketing, the course has provided students with a unique opportunity to explore the creation of personal care products. The hands-on experience and real-world applications of the course have made it a standout in the field of chemistry education.