Gary Mercer
Professor
gmercer@chem.boisestate.edu
SN-319 or BSUW312C
426-3481 or 562-2189

Educational Background

Post-Doc: Washington State University, 1974-75, Mentor - Max Roundhill, Research Area - organometallic complexes
Ph.D: Cornell University, 1970-74, Major Prof. - Fred Scholer, Thesis Title - “B-hydroxy Carboranes”
B.S.: University of Montana, 1966-70

About Me

Since coming to Boise over 30 years ago, my wife and I have raised angora goats for their fiber (mohair) on our small acreage. We are also avid tandem bicycle riders and enjoy taking one of our bikes along on vacations to tour ineresting areas at the slower and more relaxed pace of a bicycle.

Pedagogical Philospohy

My philosphy of teaching is what I would call, traditional. I am most comfortable with the lecture type of delivery in as informal an environment as possible given the type of facility and number of students. I consider myself as a guide or facilitator to focus the student’s attention on the most important material and assist them in learning the subject matter through extensive problem solving. I also believe that the bottom line is the student and their willingness to put in the work to master the subject. Without that student commitment, the learning process will not be complete.

Research Interests

My current responsibilities are in the classroom. I leave the pursuing of cutting-edge chemical research to the younger faculty. However, I do enjoy dabbling in teaching and chemistry related projects as described below.

The design and construction of low cost chemical instrumentation for lecture demonstration and student laboratory use.

The development of new and inovative laboratory exercises to be used in introductory laboratory courses. Of particular interest right now is the development of exercises that can be done at home in the kitchen for use in on-line courses.