Research Summary

My interests are focused on the development of new teaching methods to improve educational outcomes for undergraduates and educational materials for use in general chemistry. My work in these areas has included implementation of a problem- and team-based laboratory curriculum, an online course for introductory chemistry, a reduced-seat-time flipped general chemistry curriculum, and a peer-led workshop program to support students in general chemistry.

Education

• B.S. Minnesota State University-Mankato, 1992
• Ph.D. University of Iowa, 1997

Honors and Awards

• 2018 Brasted Award for Excellence in College Chemistry Teaching from American Chemical Society Minnesota Section
• 2016-17 Horace T. Morse-University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education

Books

Professor Driessen is co-author of a textbook on introductory chemistry, Introductory Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach. The textbook, written with co-author Julia Burdge, uses an atoms first approach specific to introductory and general chemistry.