Essential Chemistry for Biologists: Decoding the Language of Life
Faculty/Staff: Natasha Ramroop Singh
Platform: WordPress
Site link (if applicable): https://chemistryforbiologists.trubox.ca
Services provided: Site domain/setup, website design/layout, and multimedia/ H5P
Description: Chemistry for Biologists is a video series (which include H5P interactive assessments) designed to explain basic but important concepts in chemistry to university students in entry-level biology.
Implementation: This resource will be used for BIOL 1110 – Principles of Biology I and can be used in other biology and chemistry contexts under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license!
Impact Story
Written by Ananya Kamboj
“Essential Chemistry for Biologists: Decoding the Language of Life” by Natasha Ramroop Singh
Natasha is on a mission to help first-year biology students thrive. As an assistant teaching professor in the Science Department, she has witnessed many students struggle with the chemistry concepts that underpin the biological processes they study.
Recognizing this gap, Natasha embarked on an innovative project through the TRU Open Press initiative. Her goal? To create a series of enriching chemistry videos tailored specifically for biology students. These bite-sized, yet informative clips remind students of fundamental chemistry principles and demonstrate their direct relevance to biological systems.
“Chemistry is not necessarily built into our curriculum in first-year biology,” Natasha explains. “I found there was a void in terms of having them understand these basic concepts that feed into the larger concepts we’re teaching.”
By providing chemistry refreshers outside the classroom, Natasha hopes to maximize instructional time spent on core biological topics. The videos cover essential chemistry concepts, but with examples directly applicable and relatable to biological processes like respiration, photosynthesis, and the chemical properties that sustain life.
“We’re not just using random, generic examples,” Natasha emphasizes. “Rather, they are geared toward, biology-specific systems.”
Beyond content, the video format offers unique advantages. With accurate closed captions, visual aids, and Natasha’s familiar presence, these resources mirror the in-class experience while catering to diverse learning styles and on-the-go accessibility.
As the TRU Open Press initiative enters its second year, Natasha envisions expanding this model to other courses, such as advanced biochemistry. The open nature of the platform allows for continuous updates and adaptations, ensuring sustainability and relevance.
The impact of these videos would be significant in all courses where students study Biology at the meso- and micro- levels, and will be used immediately in BIOL 1110 – Principles of Biology I.
“It’s not printed, it’s not set in stone,” Natasha remarks. “We can adjust, change, add, or take out things as needed. These resources will definitely save students’ study time as much as they don’t need to go sifting through pages of text. Since the information they need to know is neatly packaged into 5-minute videos, they are able to better focus, save time and perform better in exams through proper interpretation of questions.”
With her passion for student success and the power of open educational resources, Natasha is paving the way for biology students to confidently navigate the chemistry foundations that underpin their studies, ultimately unlocking their full potential in this interdisciplinary field.
The interview with Natasha can be found below, which will help in better understanding the project and its impact.
