Rate My Professor Melody Jewell

Melody Jewell serves as Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics at South Dakota State University. She earned a Ph.D. in Paper Science and Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 2002, with a thesis titled “The Advancement of Oxygen Bleaching by Using Chemical Additives to Improve Pulp Properties,” an M.S. in the same field in 1999, with a thesis on “Sulfur-Free Pulping and Chlorine-Free Bleaching of Agricultural Residues for Paper Production,” a B.A. in Chemistry in 1997, and a B.S. in Biology in 1997. Jewell began her career at South Dakota State University as Assistant Professor from January to June 2003 and January 2004 to May 2012, transitioned to Lecturer in August 2012, and advanced to Senior Lecturer. She also served as Adjunct Instructor at Alverno College from August to December 2003 and Chemistry Tutor at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in fall 2003. Her teaching responsibilities include Chemistry Survey (CHEM 106), General Chemistry I (CHEM 112), General Chemistry II (CHEM 114), Survey of Organic and Biochemistry (CHEM 108), first-year seminars, and peer-mentored courses. She co-coordinates laboratories for general, organic, and biological chemistry and general chemistry, manages lab setup and grading, holds office hours, conducts review sessions and tutoring, and advises the Chemistry Club. Jewell mentors students in the M.S. Chemistry Education for Science Teachers program, guiding action research projects.

Jewell's scholarly interests center on chemistry education, including how students connect knowledge across macroscopic, microscopic, and symbolic representations. She has co-authored lab manuals with Ron Hirko, including “Chemistry 106L: Chemistry Survey Lab” in its 6th through 10th editions (2012–2016). Her earlier publications feature refereed conference proceedings such as “Improved Selectivity of Oxygen Bleaching Through Use of Chemical Additives” (2001 TAPPI Pulping Conference) and “Sulfur-Free Pulping and Chlorine-Free Bleaching of Agricultural Residues for Paper Production” (1998 TAPPI International Engineering Conference), both with Ulrike Tschirner. She has delivered numerous presentations at Biennial Conferences on Chemical Education (BCCE), covering topics like student misconceptions in general, organic, and biochemistry (GOB) courses, flipped classrooms, conceptual retention, and online quiz feedback (2012–2016). Additional presentations include “Nuclear Power and the Crisis in Japan” for OLLI in 2011. Jewell received the Excellence in Teaching Award from University Center in 2017. She serves as an AP Chemistry exam reader for Educational Testing Service since 2014 and accuracy reviewer for Pearson Education textbooks since 2012. As undergraduate coordinator, she manages advising, academic planning, and curriculum to support student coursework, research opportunities, and career preparation.