Problem Library | Institute for Transforming University Education

Problem Library: 20

Title	Excerpt	Author	Discipline	Length	Level	Type
A Letter from Dalton	In this problem students must analyze mass data to test a hypothesis proposed by Dalton as a consequence of his . . .	Groh, Susan	Chemistry	1 Hour or Less	Introductory	Problem
A Missed Diagnosis	“Susan presents herself to her family physician for a routine physical. During the physical examination Susan explains . . .	Tallitsch, Robert	Biological Sciences	1 Hour or Less	Intermediate	Problem
A Pain in the Belly	This problem aids students in the development of their three-dimensional understanding of abdominal anatomy, with . . .	Tallitsch, Robert	Biological Sciences	1 Hour or Less	Intermediate	Problem
An Unwanted Souvenir	“Ralph is a young botany professor of Swedish heritage at a Midwestern liberal arts college. Ralph, who was born in the . . .	Tallitsch, Robert	Biological Sciences	1 Hour or Less	Intermediate	Problem
Crossed Circuits	Two roommates argue about each others use of energy. Which roommate should pay a utility premium? How much extra?	Watson, George	Physics and Astronomy	1 Hour or Less	Introductory (non-majors)	Problem
Daddy, Help! I Can’t Get out of the Pool!	Tammy, a 10 year-old girl, is normally active for her age, participating in her local soccer club (playing goalie) and . . .	Tallitsch, Robert	Biological Sciences	1 Hour or Less	Intermediate	Problem
Dawn’s Eight O’clock	Absenteeism and tardiness can disrupt group function in PBL groups. This short text case with accompanying video . . .	Harold White	Problem-based Learning	1 Hour or Less	Introductory	Problem
Does Anyone Know What’s Wrong with Me?	“Molly is a nineteen-year-old, multiple-time All-American pole-vaulter on her college’s track team. During the summer, . . .	Tallitsch, Robert	Biological Sciences	1 Hour or Less	Intermediate	Problem
Externalities and Managing a Common Property Resource	One difficulty in controlling pollution is that individuals and firms acting in their own best interest may produce . . .	Duke, Joshua	Food and Resource Economics	1 Hour or Less	Intermediate	Problem
Granny’s Hip	“You stop over to visit your grandmother for your weekly visit to set out her medications for the coming week. As you . . .	Tallitsch, Robert	Biological Sciences	1 Hour or Less	Intermediate	Problem
Simple Staged Problem for Introduction of PBL Process	“For faculty development sessions there is often a need for a simple, staged problem that does not require investigation . . .	Watson, George	Faculty Development	1 Hour or Less	Introductory	Problem
What Is the Cause of This Swelling and Why Am I Short of Breath When I Exercise?	“Joan is a corporate lawyer for a Fortune-500 company. She has been physically active her entire life. Lately Joan has . . .	Tallitsch, Robert	Biological Sciences	1 Hour or Less	Intermediate	Problem
Uff Da–Why Does This Hurt, Doc?	“Lars Johnson is a fledgling actor in L.A. California. He has just recently auditioned for a major part in a new . . .	Tallitsch, Robert	Biological Sciences	1 Hour or Less	Intermediate	Problem
The Woozy Smoker	“David, a 76-year-old male with a history of heavy cigarette smoking has developed a progressive gait disorder. He . . .	Tallitsch, Robert	Biological Sciences	1 Hour or Less	Advanced	Problem
Saving for a Rainy Day	A request for help comes in from a scientifically-illiterate relative trying to choose a system for passive solar energy . . .	Groh, Susan	Chemistry	1 Hour or Less	Introductory	Problem
Painting the Blues	The synthesis and composition of several blue pigments provide a context for exploring key ideas in stoichiometric . . .	Groh, Susan	Chemistry	1 Hour or Less	Introductory	Problem
Out of Control	The population of Lesser Snow Geese is growing exponentially in the US and Canada. Growth curves, survivorship curves, . . .	Dion, Linda	Biological Sciences	1 Hour or Less	Introductory (majors)	Problem
It Must Be a Bad Year for My Allergies	“It is an idyllic March day on the Midwestern university campus as Dr. Bob Johnston walks to his 8:00 philosophy lecture . . .	Tallitsch, Robert	Biological Sciences	1 Hour or Less	Intermediate	Problem
Collaboration Dilemma: Publish or Perish?	The purpose of this problem series is to design a creative low-stakes active learning module within an introductory . . .	Shanen M. Sherrer	Chemistry and Biochemistry, Research Design	1 Hour or Less	Intermediate	Problem
Gene to Taste Case Study	You are the geneticist meeting with two concerned parents who were referred to you by their son’s pediatrician. They are . . .	Ginu Thomas	Biological Sciences, Science Education	1 Hour or Less	Introductory (majors), Introductory (science majors)	Prototype