Nicole Becker, Ph.D.
- Associate Professor
- LB Course Subject Area: Chemistry
- MSU Department of Chemistry
- Holmes Hall, W-32
- 919 E. Shaw Lane
- East Lansing, MI 48825
- nbecker@msu.edu
LBC COURSES
- LB 171
- LB 172
INTRO
I teach introductory chemistry and study how undergraduate students learn and reason about core ideas in the field. My research examines how students’ understanding develops over time—for example, how they interpret graphs and molecular models, or how their ideas about bonding evolve across general, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry courses. I use methods such as eye-tracking and interviews to explore how students engage with visual representations, and I also study how different learning environments shape their participation in scientific practices and three-dimensional learning. I find this work compelling because it not only sheds light on how students think about complex scientific concepts, but also directly informs how we can design teaching practices and learning activities that make chemistry more accessible and meaningful for all students.
EDUCATION
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Michigan State University
- Ph.D., Chemistry 2012 Purdue University
- B.S., Chemistry 2004, South Dakota State University
RESEARCH
Research in the Becker Lab focuses on understanding how undergraduate chemistry students develop their reasoning and conceptual understanding across various topics. One study explores how students' ideas about particulate-level variation evolve throughout their first year of college chemistry. It uses eye-tracking technology and semi-structured interviews to analyze their interpretation of graphical representations. Another project examines how students' understanding of bonding models develops as they progress through general, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry courses. This research uses longitudinal and cross-sectional methods to provide a holistic view of students' cognitive and epistemic development.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Scharlott, L. J.; Rippey, D. W., Rosa, V.; & Becker, N. M. Progression towards causal mechanistic reasoning through phenomena-based learning in introductory chemistry. J. Chem. Edu. 2024, 101(3), 777-788.
- Ralph, V.R.; Scharlott L.J.; Schafer, A.G.L.; Deshaye, M.Y.; Stowe, R.L.; & Becker, N.M. Advancing equity in STEM: The impact assessment design has on who succeeds in introductory chemistry. JACS Au. 2022, 2(8), 1869 – 1880.
- Ralph, V. R.; Scharlott, L. J.; Schwarz, C. E.; Becker, N. M.; Stowe, R. S. (2022). Beyond Instructional Practices: Characterizing learning environments that support students in explaining chemical phenomena. J. Res. Sci. Teach. 2022, 59(5), 841-875.
- Hunter, K. H.; Rodriguez, J.-M. G.; & Becker, N. M. A Review of Research on the Teaching and Learning of Chemical Bonding. J. Chem. Edu. 2022, 99(7), 2451-2464.
- Hunter, K.; Rodriguez, J-M. G.; Becker, N. M. Making sense of sensemaking: Using the sensemaking epistemic game to investigate student discourse during a collaborative gas law activity. Chem. Edu. Res. and Pract. 2021, 22(2), 328-346.