Norris background
BackgroundOverview of experienceTeaching organic chemistry
Background
Born near Liverpool in England, raised in the environs of the northern UK rust-belt town of Wigan, and then schooled for his first degree at Salford University near Manchester, Dr. Norris ventured to the USA for his Ph.D. work at Ohio State. That’s where, as a Teaching Assistant, Organic Chemistry started to make sense.
Dr. Norris has spent most of his teaching career in the northern US rust-belt at Youngstown State University in Ohio. He has won awards for his approach to teaching Organic Chemistry that emphasizes the use of basic ideas to solve more complex problems. Dr. Norris has taught second year, intermediate, and graduate (MS) classes in the subject for over thirty years. 53 MS thesis students have obtained their degree in the Norris research lab, and hundreds of undergraduate students have benefitted from his no-nonsense approach to Organic Chemistry.
Questions about website content should be emailed to dr.peter.norris@gmail.com.
Overview of experience
| Years | Role | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 1983–86 | B.Sc. in Chemistry (Honours) | Salford University (UK); second year spent on international exchange at the University of Toledo |
| 1986–92 | Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry | The Ohio State University |
| 1992–93 | Visiting Lecturer | Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio |
| 1993–96 | Postdoctoral Fellow | American University, Washington DC |
| 1996–2000 | Assistant Professor (Organic Chemistry) | Youngstown State University |
| 2000–2004 | Associate Professor (Organic Chemistry) | Youngstown State University |
| 2004–present | Professor (Organic Chemistry) | Youngstown State University |
Teaching organic chemistry
Having been educated at state schools in England and then moving to the United States for graduate work, Dr. Norris has some useful ideas about how to help students approach Organic Chemistry. From smaller classes (<20 students) in the UK, to much bigger classes at Ohio State (>300), he has taken those experiences on board in his own approach to teaching.
Dr. Norris taught recitation and lab classes on large scale while working towards his Ph.D. at Ohio State (occasionally standing in for lectures to more than 300 students), was the lecturer for the sophomore Organic sequence at a much smaller private school (Ohio Wesleyan), and then went through the ranks at YSU where he has taught Organic Chemistry (at B.S. and M.S. levels) since 1996. He uses online tools extensively to deliver information and enhance understanding. His methodical and very organized approach is appreciated by most students.