The Good Chemistry: Methodological, Ethical, and Social Implications MOOC, offered on the EuChemS e-learning platform since October 2020, aims to equip chemistry students with critical ethical and social competencies. A case study from Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, illustrates the course’s successful implementation, offering insights into its impact on students and faculty alike.
Launched in the 2023/24 winter semester, the course targeted 25 master’s students from chemistry-related programs such as Medicinal Chemistry and Chemistry of Sustainable Development. These students, at the early stages of their thesis work, engaged with the course through blended learning, combining online materials and face-to-face interaction. The course’s key objectives were to introduce students to the methodological, ethical, and social aspects of chemistry, enhance their understanding of the scientific method, and emphasise the chemist’s social responsibility.
The course was structured around video lectures, case studies, online forums, and quizzes. Feedback from students indicated a positive reception, with many highlighting how it deepened their awareness of ethical issues in scientific research and industry. They particularly valued the use of real-life case studies that encouraged critical thinking.