UTILIZATION OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT TOOLS IN A MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY COURSE

American businesses as a whole have been examining the advantages offered by the use of Total Quality Management (TQM) flexible, self-disciplined work teams. The sense of ownership resulting from the team approach leads to an emphasis on continuous improvement which leads to increases in quality. In 1993 Samford University began using TQM work teams, in the form of the Learn process, to evaluate selected courses and instructors for the purpose of improvement. The process was implemented in two different team taught courses in Medicinal Chemistry with an average enrollment of 119. Learn sets forth a straightforward process for establishing a team of class members and faculty, a data collection and analysis system, and a feedback loop to the instructor. This paper explores various uses and keys for a successful team along with the strengths and weaknesses incurred during the process utilization. A dynamic evaluation tool, the Learn process can replace standard teacher/course evaluations given the proper cultural adjustments.